Device Pricing

southern elec

Hello
I am a contractor in GA. I have a chance to get a big builder
who wants me to bid by the device. I usually bid by the square foot.
He said outlets and switches are a price then GFI , Three ways,
Price per amp for the service and then for the panel. Lights
any help would be helpful

CNC

You can base your bid on unit prices. make counts on each device,
(dimmers, gfi's, cans, surface mounts, etc) and figure on cost from parts house and a base time from start to finish for install. for example break down how long it takes to nail up, make up, and trim out. you can tack on additionals markups or mistakes. does this fit in the guidelines of how he wants it bid? i think per square foot would leave alot of stones un turned and alot of room for error? maybe im wrong, id love to hear how you bid per square foot.

RobertWilber

I don't think it makes a difference, as long as you know what it means to you. In either case, the unit price would have to go up as the building gets larger [distances increase]
So, take your system [if it works for you] and convert it to HIS system
If a 3000 square foot house has 100 devices your cost per device is the same as 30 square feet, right?
He's just trying to get you off your field and onto his, where he can cheat you at HIS game ...
I mean, why is he looking for a new electrician anyway?

Sparky Joe

Good point Robert. Unit prices are good for a general idea of the cost, but you always gotta look at each job individually thats why there is a bid process, construction work is not just like buying items off the shelf at K-Mart.
I would set down on some prices with him because he can probably give you some good work, but it seems you better watch your a** when working with someone who wants your prices set in stone before the job is ever bid.

Speedy Petey

I don't think it is a matter of setting an actual price before the job is bid or looked at.

The reason for unit pricing is exactly because houses are not bought off K-mart shelves.

I myself cound never understand sq/ft pricing. Every house is different; recessed, dimmers, circuits, GFIs, 3 & 4 ways, etc......
When you sq/ft price it includes nothing but but basic code stuff. When was the last time you all wired a house to basic code?
Sorry, I myself do not do tract wiring. I don't need that much pressure to make a living.

The thing with sq/ft pricing is you HAMMER the customer with extras.
"Sure, I can wire this house for $2.50 sq/ft!" Yeah, after I figure dimmers, recessed, those extra receptacles in the basement and garage, that DW and disp you bought, we are up over $4.50 sq/ft.

Get real and do it right the first time. Get a concise list of whatever is going in the house and price it up.
Of course there will be extras, but more like 5% more as opposed to 100% more.

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jbfan

I agree with Speedy. I never bid by the square foot. Most of my jobs are basement remodels and room additions. It has been 3 years since I did a house.
With device pricing, you can change your prices as needed with the wire prices.

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fridaymean

We have never been asked for a sq/ft price. Usually, just a price. Why would any homeowner or G.C. care HOW you price. Most, no, all of them we have delt with care about the bottom line. And, what is included in that price. Speedy is right, those extras surprise alot of people. We try and figure everything in. If there are no AC's on the blue print we still include them in the price. We know they are gonna be installed. Could go on and on, but I won't. Stuff like that is what can set you apart. G.C.'s/Homeowners do not like surprises, but they also like to know what they are getting for thier money.