good ol 'what to charge' thread... - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

CO2Solutions · 07-09-2008, 07:18 PM

I don't do much pressure washing but now and again I'm asked to do some smaller jobs - sometimes I'm not sure what to charge? I have a set rate worked out for graffiti removal but other stuff I'm not sure about?

Today I did a job for a Masonary friend - it was a prep for a job he was doing. I basically had to remove outdoor paint from large concrete slabs. It wasn't an easy job but it wasn't too hard either. When it comes to paint removal, do you guys charge by the square foot? or hourly rate? or another way?

thanks...

Bill · 07-09-2008, 07:26 PM

As said countless times before. The price you need to charge is based on what your overhead is, how much you want to make, and many other things like fuel, electric, help, materials bla bla bla, bla bla bla a and so on

CO2Solutions · 07-09-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USP45

As said countless times before. The price you need to charge is based on what your overhead is, how much you want to make, and many other things like fuel, electric, help, materials bla bla bla, bla bla bla a and so on

of course that comes into play...my question was "how do you charge for paint removal?" - I'm sure everyone may have a different formula based on those factors and some may just stick to a basic rate based on industry standard. So what are your formula's? or basic rates? hey, I'm just trying to keep consistent with the industry without undercutting or selling myself short. I did the same research with my other business - fair and competitive...

woodchuck2 · 07-09-2008, 08:54 PM

For the pressure washing that i have been doing lately i charge Time/Materials at $45 an hour. No one has ? the rate and i know i wont be getting hurt in the end.

Bill · 07-09-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CO2Solutions

of course that comes into play...my question was "how do you charge for paint removal?" - I'm sure everyone may have a different formula based on those factors and some may just stick to a basic rate based on industry standard. So what are your formula's? or basic rates? hey, I'm just trying to keep consistent with the industry without undercutting or selling myself short. I did the same research with my other business - fair and competitive...

To tell the truth, I dont really go with a "Going Rate". I know how long it takes me and my men to acomplish a task. Thats what I go by, never made a million, but kept on working through the years and paying bills. removing paint?? No idea, never tried it. Sandblasting may be quicker, but then there is re paint

MALCO.New.York · 07-09-2008, 10:46 PM

Me? I charge as MUCH as I can WITHOUT demeaning or schtupping the client. It is ALWAYS wise to leave SOME money "on the table" with someone you have a GOOD possibility of serving/being served by again.

What that means is...GET YOURS AND THEN SOME but leave them smiling now AND later.

**BuiltByMAC** · 07-10-2008, 12:30 AM

I didn't realize "how much do I charge" threads were "good ol' things" around here -
I think of them more as "big ol' annoying pain in the ass kinda things that I really should ignore but just can't" ...

Mac

MALCO.New.York · 07-13-2008, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuiltByMAC

I didn't realize "how much do I charge" threads were "good ol' things" around here -
I think of them more as "big ol' annoying pain in the ass kinda things that I really should ignore but just can't" ...

Mac

Sounds like a personal thing there, MAC!

Ayan Gonzalez · 07-13-2008, 07:46 AM

If I am happy as a homeless man I do it for free.

If I am happy living in a trailer park, I charge 10 cent's PSF.

If I am happy living in a 1,800 sf house, I charge 25 cents PSF.

If I am happy living in a 5,000 sf house, I charge 45 cents PSF.

If I am happy living in a 10,000 sf house I sub it out for 10 cents and charge 1.00 PSF.

It doesn't matter what you charge, the question is what does it take to make YOU happy?

Read the book Rich Dad Poor Dad if you haven't already.

Or you can do what most people do instead, have a beer and watch a football game.

Your choice, your move.

CO2Solutions · 07-13-2008, 07:42 PM

I guess most don't really read the true question in the beginning of the thread???
also, its funny to continue to hear "charge what makes you happy"

--- well, $1000/hr would make me happy but I'm not going to get it...so would $15/sq/ft...

I realize that most don't want to reveal what they make or how they make their money - but you can share info without sharing too much. Where I live every job/service has a range - example (and I don't know actual prices) a plumber will charge $80-100/hr, the HVAC will charge $65-80/hr, its .45-.55 cents/sq/ft to pave your driveway, a dentist is $120-160/hr and so on and so on. Every service has a range in price, it's not I wake up and feel like charging $100/hr for this job.

oh well...

Bill · 07-13-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuiltByMAC

I didn't realize "how much do I charge" threads were "good ol' things" around here -
I think of them more as "big ol' annoying pain in the ass kinda things that I really should ignore but just can't" ...

Mac

who can ignor such a thing!

BattleRidge · 07-13-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CO2Solutions

I guess most don't really read the true question in the beginning of the thread???
also, its funny to continue to hear "charge what makes you happy"

--- well, $1000/hr would make me happy but I'm not going to get it...so would $15/sq/ft...

I realize that most don't want to reveal what they make or how they make their money - but you can share info without sharing too much. Where I live every job/service has a range - example (and I don't know actual prices) a plumber will charge $80-100/hr, the HVAC will charge $65-80/hr, its .45-.55 cents/sq/ft to pave your driveway, a dentist is $120-160/hr and so on and so on. Every service has a range in price, it's not I wake up and feel like charging $100/hr for this job.

oh well...

i would get used to it man. I feel the same way tho.

CO2Solutions · 07-13-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BattleRidge

i would get used to it man. I feel the same way tho.

yeah, I guess...thanks...lol...
i was just trying to get an idea for something I don't normally do...without undercutting the next guy and making the industry look less professional.

**BuiltByMAC** · 07-14-2008, 01:09 AM

You do realize this big ol' internet can be accessed by anyone?

If I was in a bar, kicking back, drinking with some fellow contractors (that lived in other towns), I might be more inclined to talk about money issues (probably not, but the chance is greater). Some people on here have no problem shouting from the rooftops what they charge for their services, the rest of us play it a little closer to the chest.

And yes, I read your original questions - they all asked the same thing...how much do you(meaning everyone else) charge for xyz service? You're so specific too - "It wasn't an easy job, but it wasn't too hard either." Yeah, that helps. How long did it take you? Do you have a vague idea of what you need to make per hour to stay in business?

If I was in a roomful of customers (past, present and future), why on earth would I talk about my pricing schemes in a loud voice? 1,000s of visitors hit this forum everyday. Not members, visitors. They could be ANYONE...and these threads stay available for YEARS.

But gosh darnit, it's our fault. We're just a bunch of paranoid weenies because we won't publically post our pricing so you can take the numbers, step out of your comfort zone, take a job and make bank.

And that, in a rather large nutshell, is why these types of threads annoy me so much.

Mac

CO2Solutions · 07-14-2008, 08:15 AM

To be honest, I don't really see why a range in pricing can't be provided on a specific service? if not, then yes you are paranoid! if a potential client wants to know a price then they will call around and find out - it's not a heck of a lot different then finding it on the "big ol' Internet"...

Quote:

"It wasn't an easy job, but it wasn't too hard either." Yeah, that helps. How long did it take you? Do you have a vague idea of what you need to make per hour to stay in business?"

If I was too vague and wanted to know more then all you had to do was ask...pretty simple buddy...
Continue reading the thread, because if you did then you would have read this is something I don't normally do! I don't pressure wash (I use it for Graffiti removal only, and this job was removing paint although not graffiti), therefore I don't want to be 'that guy' - undercutting the guys that do this everyday for a living, or overcharging - just want to keep in the range if I continue to do this once in a while when MY regular clients ask.

Sorry if you are annoyed MAC , BUT in my original question I never did ask specifically what contractors charge

--- I asked how do they charge..."do you guys charge by the square foot? or hourly rate? or another way?" --- I was just hoping some would provide a range...

anyways, I'll work it out...thanks anyways...

Ayan Gonzalez · 07-14-2008, 08:29 AM

CO2 here's a thought for you.

Look into R.S. Means Unit Cost Estimating book or Walkers Building Estimaters Handbook.

They provide production rates for anything in the construction industry and are often used as a guide in government contracting.

The unit production rates are pretty accurate for the labor.

But it still comes down to how much you need to cover your overhead and profit you want to make.

CO2Solutions · 07-14-2008, 08:44 AM

Great, thanks Ayan...I'll take a look at that...much appreciated.

Giftcard · 07-14-2008, 09:08 AM

Try this link CO2 http://www.dcs1.com/del/pricing.html

Spectatorz · 07-14-2008, 05:02 PM

Thanks Giftcard !!!

There is Excellent Information There.

CO2Solutions · 07-14-2008, 09:45 PM

yeah GIFTCARD, great info! tons of info on there...much appreciated.