Well xtreme, congratulations on both of you for starting your own buisness
Like you, I also started my own buisness recently. I began painting when i was 14, i worked for an old coach of mine who was a teacher/painter. He taught me the trade the old school way, paying attention to detail and quality instead of speed to get a quick buck. By the time i was 17 I was already painting houses for him and directing 5 man crews. He would be doing one job while i would be doing another. We would work summers, weekends, holidays, after school, and some nights. This trade put me through junior high, high school, and college.
finally, 4 months ago, after working with him for 11 years, it was time for me to fly solo. I recieved my license and bond and away I went.
You see, its one thing to know your trade by heart, and be able to supervise, and direct crews. Its a whole different ball game when you have to put a price on all of that. This is the point where i am at, becoming reliable with my bids. Out of five jobs that i have gotten on my own so far, i have come short on two of them.
I see it as a learning experience. I started a log where i write down the outcome of all my jobs. I write down who i did the job for. description of the job, what i bid it at, how much i spent on materials, how many hours it took to complete the job, and how much money i made. This way i have a reference for future bids. I don't know if this is the best way to become better at bidding, but it is what i decided to do. No one out there is going to tell you how much you should charge. You have to figure it out on your own based on what works for you.
I have learned that books and school are good to an extent. Real life experience is more valuable, and when you combine schooling with real life experience its even better.
Why don't you have your husband help you out on the bids, since he knows the trade he can give you valuable information as to how long a certain job will take and how much material will be needed, you then can do the math. Or perhaps you could ask your employees, if they are skilled workers they can be of some help too. You only need do this in the begining, at least thats what i think, as you complete more jobs you will get a better handle ot material costs and your employees production rates. You will rely less on estimating books and more on your own experience.
Well good luck with your buisness.