What Do I Charge?

dixfineline

I have just started my own trim company and i'm not knowing what to charge for my work. I just signed a contract with a builder and started trimming out there houses. When i handed her the bill for the first house there was One closet double door that I charged $150 for the install. they where two 3-0 doors, solid core. Any way, The builder told me that I am way off charging that much for install of doors. They told me that they can have them hung for $20 standard and $30 for double doors.

Is this bull **** or what?
I live in South Dakota and i'm sure that does not matter.
I would like to talk to some one to just get a idea of what to charge for some things.
If any one can help? It would be much appreciated.

mahlere

2 questions....

1) what kind of contract did you sign? shouldn't pricing have been a part of that contract?

2) what do you need to make? do a search for 'break even' and figure out if you can make money at $20/door or if you are better off getting a management position at McDonalds....

rbsremodeling

Now you see why I started my thread.

aren't you guys tired of post like this yet.

Because there is no type of basic industry cost. Guys jump out the plane with out the chute day after day

__________________

dixfineline

The Contract was just for base, case, and crown. Now they want me to install there doors, banister, handrail's and cabinets. There is no way that im going to hang a door for $20.

rbsremodeling

So don't. Let him know what the price is for your door install. If he does not agree with your pricing pick up your tools and move to the next job.

__________________

mahlere

why not? what do you base this on? how much do you need to make?

SLSTech

Location does matter - so does Overhead - oh yah profit - Living wage, etc...

What does your contract state - you did do one right?

I may get crap for this - but any single interior door done by Lowe's is 75 & a double is 125. You should not be using them as a basis for your price, but there is one threshold.

When a customer tells me they can have it done for 20 - I wish them the best of luck

The GC could also be trying to knock you down in price, which is sad - FYI, National Estimator prices are not even that low nor do they include OH & P

__________________
Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

rbsremodeling

I take it back 20 bucks a door sound good.

Let's get it over with, you'll be out of business before next year when the economy turns around and one less obstacles in my way

__________________

dixfineline

Home Depot and Lowes charge $75 for install on crap doors and I have seen the carpenters that install for them. not much to say for there skills. I think $100 per door without caseing is plenty fair.

mahlere

why? what do you base this on? how can you 'think' it's fair?

rbsremodeling

How do you go from 150 to 100 bucks that's a hell of a discount.

Can you do $95 bucks??

__________________

dixfineline

The guys that I was working with in CA r charging 250-300 for install of 8' 3.0 doors so that is what I base my FAIR pricing on.

rbsremodeling

What kind of truck do you drive??

__________________

dixfineline

150 was for closet double door.

Y is it that your so cocky? your elaborate web site does not make u a good carpenter or what ever u r.

rbsremodeling

Your right I suck as a carpenter. I don't like my website either. Can we be friends now?

__________________

mahlere

what does that have to do with the price of tea in china?

why do you think you can make money on $100, but not on $20? sounds to me like you are simply guessing...they know what they can get it done for...you don't know what you can do it for...makes them more prepared in my book...you should listen to them, they know more than you...

KentWhitten

This is the perfect point of the discussion. This happens all the time with contracts.

"Hey...can you do some extra work, some closet doors for us"

"Why sure! Here's my invoice"

"What! Why is this so much? I can pull out my handsaw and do it for half this cost!"

Or

"I can get my ex-wife's half brother-in-law to do it for $30"

Don't fall into the trap. It's a similar trap to "that's not the going rate"

__________________
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place ~Lao Tzu

Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

mahlere

the problem is that the OP doesn't know what he needs...he's just guessing...which makes the GC more knowledgeable than the OP...and therefore more correct...

SLSTech

Let me get this straight --- You just started, you have no idea what to price, you then think Cali Prices are applicable in BFE, you scream like a Valley Girl @ an owner of company that is probably older than you & the list goes on.

I would suggest with your attitude that you price them @ 19.95 with the second one free. You may just last more than 6 months but I doubt it.

__________________
Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

dixfineline

Who knows more than me? The contractor? Don't think so. Otherwise they would be doing it them selves or Y woud they even ask me to do there doors in the first place if they could get it done for $20

"you don't know what you can do it for" What does this mean? I don't work for free and I'm sure u don't eather.

The reason I posted this is because I was trying to get a reaction out of other carpenters, not electricians, but thanks anyway.