Important to get this one right - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Jonesey · 07-29-2006, 09:43 AM

Had a meeting with a friend of my one good builder. He does new commercial stuff, light to medium, and he wants to see my work, so asked for a bid on some cabinets and three ext metal slab doors.

Now, this guys does a LOT of work. I want to get this price right, so I don't have to fart around with stuff like, "Well, I forgot to charge you for X so it'll be X more $$" which I wouldn't do anyway. Got my pride, ya know?

It works out to 28 lf of cabinets, uppers and lowers, including a U shaped reception desk that measures 44" tall 16' long on the face side (5 drawers in this unit). 16 lf. 30" base and 24" uppers, 8 drawers, 12 doors total. I ran .75 of my upper and lower price on reception because I don't have to do cab doors etc. in desk (interior) area.

I natural my drawers, stain plus 2 and 2, wiped inside.

Total would be 966.27 with upwards options.

Now, this is the first time I've bid commercial work of this scope. I usually get office repaints. The building is over 6000 sq. ft. The walls alone in this monster would pay for my advertising for the year. I need to get this bid right if I want his work. The quality I can do, no big deal. It's the price I have to be spot on at.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Brushslingers · 07-29-2006, 11:11 AM

Steve... ALL commercial needs to be bid higher than residence. For instance .30 cents more per square foot of walls. What you described I would charge about 1700.00 or so. I count each door and drawer as a seperate unit, so instead of LF or SF, I bid cabinets at per opening. Most times it's more to refinish cabinets than to buy new ones but... I never lost a bid yet using that method on cabinets. You have to consider wiping stain as one day, to let it cure, before you can sand seal, then another day... to varnish. Unless you are simply using linseed your talking three days, two people, plus three doors. Using DTM you could coat both doors in half a day, two coats... so four days.

Hope that helps you out.

Peladu · 07-29-2006, 11:21 AM

There was a commercial job that had so many different things going on, bidding it confused me and I was afraid that I was going to botch the bid. But, on a second visit of the site I started talking to the guy and he said that he already had three bids, wasn't favoring anyone in particular and needed my bid to make the call. I asked to see, and he showed me the lowest bid. Man, I was off (lower) by more than 2,000. So right there I told him to take $750 off of the low guy and that was my bid. I put it on paper, did the job, and smiled all the way home.

Sometimes there are jobs that can be confusing to bid, any edge works.

One thing that I have noticed is that commercial jobs are bid higher than residential even if the work is the same.

I doubt that I helped you at all, but at least I gave your post a bump up.

lmcgrew79 · 07-30-2006, 09:53 PM

Peladu i think the stipulations are a little higher on the commercial side. State of WV for example requires contractors license, wage bonding, insurance, workers comp, tight time frames, OSHA is a frequent visitor on alot of our job sites so safety, safety, safety as they would say also comes into play like harnesses, respirator fit testing, hard hats, steel toes, safety glasses etc. etc. All of this makes the cost go up. Production rates are higher and quality lower. Banks, law offices and such quality has to be as high as residental so that factor is sometimes figured in. Commerical bidding is sometimes risky if you dont take your time and bid it right we bid about 10-15 job per month and are lucky to get 2 or 3. We have been beat buy 200 dollars on some large jobs and been low 5000 on some large jobs. Its the nature of the beast. They sometimes say the low bid is usally the one that missed something. The commerical sector can be tough but i love it.

Brushslingers · 07-30-2006, 11:38 PM

Exactly, homeowners look for the bottom line, commercial looks at the middle guy and tosses the lowest and the highest in the garbage. Here in FL it's a 2500 dollar fine just for workers comp insur if you get caught, more if you use metal ladders and OSHA stops by.... commercial? You will pay, weekends and nights? You will pay through the nose.

Jonesey · 07-31-2006, 05:50 PM

Well, wanted to give an update. Gave him the corrected numbers today and he liked them. Managed to upsell to CV and get around 1900 for the job. He called with a change in the plans. Cabinets aren't in yet, and one set is no doors, though showed doors on the plan. Told him I could give him the 'bookcase' rate and knocked a little off.

I think it's in the bag, but not sure yet. Crossing my fingers.

In other news, my son lost his first babytooth today, so it's McD's tonight whether we've got the money or not, hehe. And talked to the BM/PPG rep here and he's going to give me a better rate on material than I can get at KM. What a day!

Brushslingers · 07-31-2006, 06:50 PM

**Double-A** · 07-31-2006, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesey

Well, wanted to give an update. Gave him the corrected numbers today and he liked them. Managed to upsell to CV and get around 1900 for the job. He called with a change in the plans. Cabinets aren't in yet, and one set is no doors, though showed doors on the plan. Told him I could give him the 'bookcase' rate and knocked a little off.

I think it's in the bag, but not sure yet. Crossing my fingers.

In other news, my son lost his first babytooth today, so it's McD's tonight whether we've got the money or not, hehe. And talked to the BM/PPG rep here and he's going to give me a better rate on material than I can get at KM. What a day!

Tell the KM dood you'll let him see your kids toothless grin if he can beat the BM/PPG guys by 2%.

Dorman Painting · 07-31-2006, 08:06 PM

From reading your original topic, it seems that you're VERY interested in getting this guy's work. That is fine and I've been down that road many times, but just be sure not to sell your self short.

I've bid work for people that do tons of work with the same attitude that you currently have, "I've absolutely got to get this guys work, it'll keep me busy for years to come", don't take that attitude. In our business, most people aren't that loyal for starters and the next cheap price wins the game. Don't sell yourself short in this game, I've done it and it's not fun.

Jonesey · 08-01-2006, 09:15 PM

You're right DP, and I appreciate you reminding me. Even though it's good to be a little hungry sometimes, I should tattoo "my price is my price" below the nekkid lady on my chest. Maybe that will help me remember

An update. Got the job, but it's a one shot deal. He wants the finish pristine on this job so I got brought in. It might turn into more work, then again it might not. One more reason to stop worrying about it, hehe.

And dm straight, Double A! My BM guy is giving me 40% off retail. Couldn't even get 15% off retail at KM. Guess they just don't want my business.

**Double-A** · 08-02-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesey

Double A! My BM guy is giving me 40% off retail. Couldn't even get 15% off retail at KM. Guess they just don't want my business.

What ninny's. I'd give you 3% just for a grin from the toothless kid.

Brushslingers · 08-02-2006, 12:45 PM

Welcome to Commercial painting.