Skylight Questions

skylight guy

Good afternoon gentlemen..I hope you're all doing as good as to be expected.

I've been around this site for a while and everyone seems to be honest and willing to help one another. Well, I need some help that only you guys can give.

To keep everythign above board, I'm a skylight manufacturer and we've been developing an installation side of our business for most of this year. Since we are a manufacturer, we don't do installations but find qualified contractors who want to join our team as certified installers...you guys know how that goes..

Well, in economic times like these, the skylight business hasn't been too bad. Don't get me wrong, it's not what it was but there's still good work. I'm putting 2+2 together and what this is becoming is a really good thing. I need installers and there are a lot of trade guys who need work... I think there's somethign here.

The problem is that I don't know how to put numbers to a conversation about installing skylights beyond product cost and simple estimates. I think it can be profitable for the installer. I've talked to local guys but a more national idea would be better. I can come close but it always delivers like made-up numbers.

Would anyone care to share ballpark charges for the following:

existing home
2x4 skylight
shingle roof, 4:12 pitch
ballpark price includes materials, labor, overhead and profit

cut hole, installation, wrap & flash - $?
interior drywall/trim work I (8ft celing, 10ft span from celing to roof) - $?
interior drywall/trim work II (cathedrial celing) - $?
painting - $?
how many trips ?
anything other charges I should consider?

If I'm out of line here, forgive me. I don't mean to pry but only you guys know what you have to charge to be profitable. If I can help other trade guys stay afloat with your info, I will...

Thanks in advance for any help.

Burby

What is the name of your company & name of the skylight you make & sell? This would play an important part when pricing, as well as a qualified company wanting to be involved with installing a product they do not know or believe in, regardless of profit. Not to mention it is hard to price sight unseen, shingle age, furniture, 12 kids vs 2 kids, quality of overall work performed in the house the installation is in. Just to name a few additional things.
It is surprising a manufacturer would even consider getting involved with trades to recommend just because problems get dumped back on you, liability wise. Typically because you have better Ins and have to keep your Ins more so than any trade does.
Example: window & door manufactures drug into the law suilts with syn stucco, LP siding, ect, the windows & doors failed, but failed because of improper installation, lack of proper flashing, and mostly because they had deeper pockets because of their Ins.

To try something like this so soon after all the law suits, let alone try it period, is interesting, especially during a time like this when prices will be all across the board.

Developing an installation side of you business, you would be hiring your own installers, no? Finding tradesman to be certified for installs of your product, would pricing truly matter??

But please post you company & your skylight name.

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skyhook

Velux has their own install program and it has been running for several years. Site inspection and home owner specs are the only way to drop a number.

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Burby

I agree and think velux is a great product. Time has proven this.
My point was the manufacturer will not quote prices if a H/O purchases a unit and ask for installation. As you said above, H/O specs & site inspection is the only way to come up with a number.
They will offer names of Companies certified by Velux to contact to find out cost of installation, but will not offer any idea of cost.
As do several Door & window companies now. Some have their own employees as installers, but again, they send someone to the site before any type of price is quoted.

For several years I would perform independent inspections for door & window companies to determine if product failure or improper installation, even if installed by their certified installers, especially if pertained to possible litigation.

Having certified installers simplifies a lot of typical problems that cost money.

__________________
Proud to help make a house your Home

Never judge another by one's own intelligence

Aggie67

I think your looking to put together a price book for installations. I almost got involved doing commercial rollup doors and loading docks a few years ago, and they wanted me to stick to their price book. I told them to go scratch. Every job is different. Every site is different. "Well, you can make up over here what you lose elsewhere." Oh yeah? So I'll break even, then? Whoopidee doo! He fed me a bunch of I'm-cramming-all-the-risk-down-your-desperate-little-throat hogwash, and I was smart enough to say no.

Burby's right. A per job estimate is required. The only way to get them is to get the word out and start soliciting some work.

A W Smith

too many variables. How high the ceiling? how deep the skylight well? cathedral ceiling? are you trying to work over carpet or over a high dollar kitchen and granite counter top? How many square feet is the ceiling that you will have to repaint in entirety? popcorn finish? Knock down? are their wires running through the well area? hvac ducting, or a condensate line, or plumbing? Are they trusses or do you need to cut 2x6, 2x8 or 2X10 rafter and ceiling joists, and head it off with double trimmers to bearing? How much new insulation and what R value for the skylight well? Fiberglass or foam? Is there blown in cellulose or fiberglass you need to remove from the ceiling? Is the house full of sickly hyper allergic kids and a neurotic high maintenance white glove clean housewife? Does it need to be done in a single day on the clients schedule? or three days?

All I'm saying is you need to break it out by the individual job, This ain't like replacing a front door using box store pricing. Welcome to the remodeling industry.

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com