How much to charge? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

gianlucaf · 11-13-2005, 11:00 PM

Hi, i am from the new orleans area recently moved to gadsden alabama due to hurrican katrina.
I just finished my first painting job, which i got from this lady that we met here in gadsden. Her son just bought a house and needed some painting done.

I've had a stressfull desk job for 15 years, and I must say that I actually enjoyed the peacefullness and serenity of the whole painting process.
The house was empty and I pretty much worked at my own pace.

I've enjoyed this experience so much that I'm actually thinking about starting a painting and pressure washing business.... Now,, I know there is alot more to it then what I've experienced,, but I take great pride in my work and think I might be pretty good at it with some practice,, ..
I was thinking about working for a reputable painting business for a little while to learn as much as possible and hopefully save me a lot of time in trial and error experiences... then one day venture out on my own...

Anyhow,, here is my question,,, how much to charge ?
I have painted CEILINGS ONLY in the following rooms: (average sizes)
3 bedrooms.
2 bathrooms
1 hallway
1 kitchen
1 laundry room
Also I have painted the kitchen cabinets consisting of
35 different size cabinet doors, back and front - and the face only of the cabinet part on the wall, not the inside.
Sanded
2 coats of primer - back and front - sanding and using tack cloth between each coat.
2 coats of enamel paint using tack cloth between each coat
all by hand using professional china bristle brush
removed and reinstalled all hardware

I have no idea what to charge ,, it took me a total of about 70 hours to complete the job,, and from what they have sayd they are very happy with the work quality..

Any suggestions ??,, I want to give them a good fair price, please take into consideration these people have helped me and my family.

John

DecksEtc · 11-13-2005, 11:06 PM

Whoa John. I realize that you did this job for good friends but if you're going to go into business doing this you had better get yourself a contract and set your price(s). Never ever do another job without setting your price and getting a signed contract before you buy any materials or start any work.

Soryy I can't help you with the pricing questions you had but I thought I'd offer a few words about the business side of things.

gianlucaf · 11-13-2005, 11:43 PM

Thanks Terry,,
It started out as just painting the ceilings which did not take long, 2 days..
Then the cabinets,,, and lots of them,, ..
I know what you mean though,, thanks for the input...
John

DecksEtc · 11-13-2005, 11:51 PM

No problem. Just trying to help. Without a contract and set prices, you're just setting yourself up for disaster.

**Teetorbilt** · 11-14-2005, 12:06 AM

T&M&conscience.

gianlucaf · 11-14-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teetorbilt

T&M&conscience.

??? please explain

mdshunk · 11-14-2005, 12:21 AM

Time and Materials and whatever your conscience tells you to do.

gianlucaf · 11-14-2005, 12:37 AM

okay,, let's forget that they helped my family.. guess it is hard for you guys to advise me on hoe much to charge given you really do not know all the circumstances.. guess it was not a fair question..

let me just ask you guys what would charge if it was a regular job as stated above ,, no favors , just a regular customer..

70 hours

and then i'll deduct what my conscious tells me for the help they have given us..

thanks for all yr input

CoastalCoatings · 11-14-2005, 12:49 AM

How much were you hoping to make?

gianlucaf · 11-14-2005, 12:55 AM

i was thinking about $1500.00

CoastalCoatings · 11-14-2005, 01:09 AM

I think 1500 would not be out of the question being that you are trying to hook them up and you are not a true licensed professional yet. Although, you could charge a bit more but I wouldn't given the circumstances. Hope this helps a little.

gianlucaf · 11-14-2005, 01:15 AM

thanks,,
can you ell me about how much would it really cost if done from a licensed professional to a regular customer,, and how do you get to that price?

Christine · 11-14-2005, 04:26 AM

Why is no one (except coastalcoatings) offering Gianlucaf any pricing advice? He (she?) seems to be asking a reasonable question on the appropriate forum. Granted, it's a lengthy question with a great deal of pricing "ifs", but if I were Gianlucaf, I'd be pretty put off by the off-focused responses and the lack of helpful responses.

Reminds me of a consultants forum I once subscribe to. It seemed like every time I asked a question, the repsonses always addressed some tangential detail of my post and I rarely got someone to answer the ACTUAL question.

-Christine

Glasshousebltr · 11-14-2005, 05:39 AM

Alcohol Christine, we are all drunk.

Bob

George Z · 11-14-2005, 07:32 AM

Figure out what your annual expenses to run your business are(overhead).
In your case it is projected expenses and it should include your salary
for running your business, insurance, licences etc.
Add your net profit.
Divide the total by the total manhours worked yearly.
How much should you or anyone else be paid per hour for painting?
Add the average wage hour(with payroll taxes etc.) to the above hourly number and here is your company rate.
No one here could or should be telling you how much any job should be without the specific hourly rate of your company.

copusbuilder · 11-14-2005, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christine

Why is no one (except coastalcoatings) offering Gianlucaf any pricing advice? He (she?) seems to be asking a reasonable question on the appropriate forum. Granted, it's a lengthy question with a great deal of pricing "ifs", but if I were Gianlucaf, I'd be pretty put off by the off-focused responses and the lack of helpful responses.

Reminds me of a consultants forum I once subscribe to. It seemed like every time I asked a question, the repsonses always addressed some tangential detail of my post and I rarely got someone to answer the ACTUAL question.

-Christine

And how is this helping

**slickshift** · 11-14-2005, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christine

Why is no one (except coastalcoatings) offering Gianlucaf any pricing advice?

Christine,
I disagree
T & M is the only way to "quote" a price with this little information
Gianlucaf didn't give enough information to come up with a proper quote
And that quote would vary greatly by area
He also does not have the overhead most of us do
He doesn't have liabilty ins.
He probably doesn't do the prep, use the materials, have the experience I do
It just goes on....
To give him what I would charge, well that would be a grave dis-service to Gianlucaf
However, with more information I have no problem posting what I would charge
I think Gianlucaf has gotton some good advice
If it seems off-putting, it's because it's not quite so cut and dry

Perhaps a better (for Gianlucaf's education purposes) question would be:

"How do I go about pricing a job like this?"

Anyway...
For a job already done and under the table @ 70 hrs 1500 sounds great
I think that's fair
Is that how to go about pricing for a painting business?
No, not at all

George Z · 11-14-2005, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickshift

Christine,
I disagree
T & M is the only way to "quote" a price with this little information
Gianlucaf didn't give enough information to come up with a proper quote
And that quote would vary greatly by area
He also does not have the overhead most of us do
He doesn't have liabilty ins.
He probably doesn't do the prep, use the materials, have the experience I do
It just goes on....
To give him what I would charge, well that would be a grave dis-service to Gianlucaf
However, with more information I have no problem posting what I would charge
I think Gianlucaf has gotton some good advice
If it seems off-putting, it's because it's not quite so cut and dry

Perhaps a better (for Gianlucaf's education purposes) question would be:

"How do I go about pricing a job like this?"

Anyway...
For a job already done and under the table @ 70 hrs 1500 sounds great
I think that's fair
Is that how to go about pricing for a painting business?
No, not at all

Very well said

copusbuilder · 11-14-2005, 08:22 AM

I would be really carefull if it were me.
I agree it would be a very fair price if it were someone off the street. However if I gave someone a lot of help I would be shocked and stunned to receive a bill for $21.43 per hour!
I suppose the question would be how much help have they given you,,,Did they say "we want you to paint and make money"?
I would sit down and talk with them and try to work out something that keeps everyone happy. Even if it meant a loss to me.
It can be a very tough situation

Let us know the outcome!!

gianlucaf · 11-14-2005, 10:01 AM

Goodmorning Everyone,
I thank everyone for their input.
I was hoping for a more cut and dry reply but given all the surrounding circumstances I guess it was not as easy of a question as I imagined..

Let me ask this then.
How much can one realistically expect to make -yearly gross/net - owning and operating a painting and pressure washing business?
What is the hourly rate you charge in your area ?

John