Recaulking Pricing

a_alterations

What are you charging per foot to recaulk existing windows? I have to bid a job for caulking 30 yr old windows at apartment communities, totalling about 50,000 linear ft. Any help much appreciated!

MarkNoV

No, you don't.

Mark

HandyHails

$17 lf. I usually completely low ball the other guys though.

a_alterations

Ok, "I am bidding a job..." Better?

strathd

NO...............

MarkNoV

Since your business strategy seems to focus on "affordable" find out what the client can afford and price accordingly.

Would you mind sharing with us how does an " affordable carpenter" gets to bid a caulking job without seemingly giving it any thought.

How did you manage to convince the apartment complex that you can handle such a task?

Give me some sales tips and I will give you some caulking pricing tips.


Mark

a_alterations

I am a licensed builder, and have been the handyman/general contractor for this apartment management company for many years. Relationship started with an odd job or two, and over the years has grown to where they call me anytime a job arises because of the quality of work and yes, "affordable" pricing.

I have given the job much thought, discussed products, specifications, time line, etc. Now I just need to nail down the pricing. I have an idea of where to price it, but last time I did windows was a couple years ago.

Was hoping for advice from you guys, who do this work day in/day out. Again, any help much appreciated.

thesidingpro

Go outside and caulk your window with a stop watch. Double your time for problems and then figure out how long it will take your based on the footage of your window compared to the the rest..


Seriously there's no answer. When I bid jobs like this where i have little experience you just have to stab in dark and hope for the best.

__________________

We Fix Houses

Give this a try. You can get a free download of several products. I used many of their books when I first started.

http://craftsman-book.com/downloads/trybuy.php/

Usually on the first page of every estimating guide it will state "there is no substitution for the estimators own knowledge and experience".

Check under the masonry trade ? Caulking and pointing is a trade unto itself. Backer rods, high quality materials, powered caulking equip, etc I'm sure is what your looking at.

Handymanservice

This is about the best advice a person could give you on a question like that. I would be willing to bet you have an idea of what you would charge but you don't know if you are "leaving money on the table" and want to see if you can get more!

If that is the case, I say leave a little on the table and continue a great relationship with a great client. If you honestly do not know how much to charge, maybe you should pass this job onto someone with the ability to price the job correctly. You can "sub" them if you want to make a few dollars.

Not to take anything away from anyone else, but we are talking about caulking windows. It is a pretty straight forward process.

__________________
"You can shear a sheep every year, but you can only skin him once!" Remember that when dealing with your customers and pricing.

http://www.yourhandymansite.com

MarkNoV

50000 linear feet equals to about 2000 average sized windows.

What is the access like , height of building? Do you own or will you rent a scissor jack or a cherry picker? Air gun and compressor?

Are you removing the old caulking or just covering up?

My guesstimate is at least $60000 if all the windows are ground floor with level pavement and no obstructions, new over old.

Like someone suggested, I would sub it out to a specialist and get a cut.

mark

grob62

I don't understand. If you have your product and your time line down, then it should be easy. Labor + materials + overhead = price. Only you will know what your overhead needs to be.

katoman

Wow! that's a lot of caulking. I'm a licensed carpenter and sider, done tons of caulking - properly, with backer rod etc. and I would be looking to sub this job to the pros. If it's just you, and you are removing the old caulking which is required to do, you will be at this a long time. SUB IT