daArch

So you think ContractorTalk gets a lot, "How much would you charge for ......." posts?


Here's one just posted on the NGPP's forum:
I'll let PWG and JackRabbit chew 'im up and spit 'im out

Have these people ever thought about gaining some EXPERIENCE before bidding on a job ??? How can you be in business with out any idea of the cost involved in what your bidding on ?!?!?!?

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Active member, National Guild of Professional Paperhangers (NGPP)

Wallcovering Installations by Bill Archibald|paperhanger|Eastern Mass|Greater Boston Area

PlainPainter

Oh - this is an easy one to answer. This painting contractor lady that I am helping out, asks me how much Would I charge so and so - and I asked her if she took notes as to how long things took her to do. And she said no - she just kind of figures 3 days prep her - 2 days caulking - 3 days painting 2 coats - and that's it. So even contractors don't know their costs and estimation. If there was one thing that opened my eyes in this industry - was me taking notes as to how long things take - if people just took notes - I am sure there would be far fewer posts like this. I took notes when I use to work for someone else - I'd ask here and there how much stuff cost, how much was the estimate in a underhanded sort of way - and after a few years I pretty much accrued a database of 'my' costs. Most guys work for the man and are only concerned with their bottom line and asking for raises all the time, even when the contractor is just taking jobs to keep 'em employed. I will however ask guys stuff - like I wanted to jump into roofing, had a guy that knew how to roof, had the equipment, have been on roofs, pitched off a garage roof in the past, already owned scaffolding - so an easy answer like charge $350/sq - albeit not the whole story - was a quick and easy way to jump into something that otherwise didn't want to have to go back and work for someone else.