40 story high rise apartment - Estimation Help - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

shame · 11-29-2005, 07:38 PM

I have been painting a short while now and just landed a bid job in painting a 40 story high rise apartment. Most of my jobs have been homes and small businesses. Can anyone help me in a good estimate of the exterior of a 40 story apartment? For this task I will be hiring 10 more employees. Thanks

jproffer · 11-29-2005, 10:32 PM

I'm not a painter, but generally I can say you need to think out the ENTIRE process, start to finish. What will you need (I'm not talking materials)? Scaffolding is out of the question for 400+ ft. obviously.High lift, crane, "window-washers" lift, all of the above? Rented? Bought? It will take time to set all this up, operate it, tear it down after the job. I would imagine their would be delivery and pick up charges. Safety meetings, safety inspections, safety equipment, general "human nature" slowdown due to working 400 ft above the ground hanging from a wire. Consider all this when estimating time for your employees. If they can't understand that this will take some time and they're rushing for a bid, tell em time+materials+rental equipment+purchase of specialty tools and look em in the eye and wait for the inevitable "well how much do you think that would be?". "I'm working on it as fast as I possibly can, but figuring and researching all these costs will take some time." Then they may better understand why it may take some time to get them a dollar amount.

Glasshousebltr · 11-29-2005, 11:13 PM

If I'm not mistaken, get enough rope and a helecopter will lift up to 5 men.

Bob

jproffer · 11-29-2005, 11:25 PM

LOL

Now why didn't I think of that? WAY cheaper than a crane and basket and all that safety crapola.

mdshunk · 11-29-2005, 11:32 PM

I can't say that I've ever seen a building that tall that was painted. Generally they're totally glazed, intermixed with metal panels.

PipeGuy · 11-29-2005, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdshunk

I can't say that I've ever seen a building that tall that was painted. Generally they're totally glazed, intermixed with metal panels.

He's just doin' the trim

shame · 12-01-2005, 11:43 AM

Yes. I will just be doing the trim and balcony areas. Thanks Jim for the information. I think I'll use the window-washer lift for my men to start on the top and work their way down. Then use a crane and scaffolding for the other half of my me working their way up.

Last resort, I'll use a helicopter and a bungy cord...

Brian · 12-01-2005, 08:10 PM

Shame,

From my perspective, I'd pass on this job. I've been a painting contractor for nearly 20 years. I do residential repaints and occasionally get a call for something like this. I pass. It's not something we know how to do.

I could give a bid and get the job. Then what? I have to produce something that is way beyond anything we've ever done. Chances are very good that my price is way, way too low.

There is plenty of work out there. Don't let the lure of a big job lead you into the dumper.

Big jobs have big issues. If you don't know how to deal with them you could be setting yourself up for a fall off a 40 story building.

Not trying to be a downer. Just trying to be realistic. Stick to what you know. That's how you make money. I'm all for sticking your neck out, but if you aren't set up for a job like this, that's more than sticking your neck out.

Brian Phillips

**ProWallGuy** · 12-01-2005, 10:09 PM

Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes again. My thoughts exactly, very well put.
A job like this would scare the hell out of me. Tempting, but not my forté.

copusbuilder · 12-02-2005, 08:17 AM

New to the business and 40 stories....Price it as an 80 story and hope you don't get it?
Brian is right!! Lots of potential problems..If you value your sleep thinnk real hard

AAPaint · 12-02-2005, 06:57 PM

I agree with pretty much everything said here. If you're going to hire 10 guys to do the work, adjust your labor for at least 5 of them draggin' their ass on your clock.