Backyardigan

Hi all,

After lurking a bit through this forum i can see that you guys know what you're talkin about. I'm glad i've found this site.
Here's another aspiring contractor trying to make ends meet in Southern Ontario. I've been "in the business" for a year now, learnt my trade (I hope!), and recently got an offer from a subcontractor to do aluminum on about 100 houses ready of one renowned Ontario builder. All i have in my arsenal is an old raggedy pouch, some basic tools, skillfull hands and a little bit of brain too .

The thing is that for the last year i've been working only for a unionized company so i've been payed union prices which is garbage, but garbage with benefits. But what about non-unionized siding companies? I've heard that subs get for new construction 8-11 CAD (soffit/fascia/eavesthrough) from the builder, but how much do you think they pay their installers/employees just for the labour???

I don't think i should go less than:
$2/ft - soffit & fascia
$100/sq - vinyl hor. siding
$1.80/ft - frieze board with cover
$120/sq - porch (plain soffit)

I need firm guidelines 'cuz to tell you the truth, i'd rather be flipping burgers than give somebody satisfaction of underpaying me and making money on me while i'm climbing up the 40-footers plus the most important thing it's not fair to the industry and all other competitive installers. This is the kinda thing that catches you up later on, ya know what i mean .

Basically, I know how much i'm worth, but i also don't wanna overprice and instigate funny looks from subs . I'm in the dark here.

No offense to subs, just trying to get a straight answer.

Please advise...
Robb

liltrainerboy

I run a crew installing vinyl and i get

1.75 soffit/fascia
68 sq
plus misc bull****

i dont work on the crew i just bend metal and **** but it is still worth my time to pay a 3man crew at avg. 40 sq aweek

i live just south of chicago

Amber

Depending on a one story or two story you should be good on the labor barring difficut gables. You should also charge for gable vents, light blocks, and Water blocks and electrical blocks

jethro66

What you have been only instaling for only one year?What's wrong with union,Iwork for union and it's better then working non union ,you alway's have work and you don't get ripped off.If this is your first contract your gona have to price it cheap that's why they asked you in the first place.Don't forget you have to do service for free and you don't get paid right away from the builder. If you need any help I'm from the GTA area. The lowest you can go is 9 dollers a foot for trough and soffit and fasia, 300sq. for siding. This is with material.

Backyardigan

Jethro, I appreciate your input very much but that doesn't answer my question.

I am only the installer/sub-subcontractor. I want to install for a sub but I don't know how much i should charge him by foot/square for labour? I got the information that this guy gets $9.5 for trough/s/f which is exactly what you mentioned. So whadda you think I should charge him just for the labour?

I know this kinda thing can not be generalized, after all everybody gets payed based on experience, but what's the lowest i can go with my 1 year experience and still be competitive enough and get the other jobs? I do quality work, no services, no babysitting. I did 33 blocks last year for one builder and no services up to date.

Any advice is much appreciated...
Robb

jethro66

Ok do you have a supplyer? contact royal aluminum product's.They have one of the best price's out there in the GTA. Get a quote on the matierial and get yourself an account with the supplyer. the price's I mentioned above is matierial and labour inculded with the price above. So labour is about 6 dollers ft give or take for soffit,fasia,trough. and 150 sq. for siding. Depend's how much the matierial cost's or the builder is suppling it.

xtdoggx2003

liltrainerboy,
How far south of Chicago. Frustated sider here looking for a new job.