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How I cannot get job just to calculate baluster spacing and such, how to bid difficult framing jobs?

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1.9K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  Kingcarpenter1  
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#1 ·
Obviously 2 questions in thread, do not want saturate forum.
Was recently working like sub for sub trimmer of one of biggest TC home builder. Sub didn't know how to calculate spacing of balusters and if someone come in house can see right away that last baluster is to close. I know calculate it. Went to home builder and asked him would they pay me 100$ around just to calculate spacing for balusters at landing and fly of stairs. Never hear from them, even I left phone nr. How is a home builder that is almost 100 years in business ok with it where I, guy with rusty truck and bunch of tools, do not allow it to myself. Would any other math in framing or trim bring some money for me without doing hand on work? Edit. It happen by chance that home builder heard about me already in 2003 when I was building roof framing for townhouses build at same development by other home builder. Even that reference didn't help.

Second question I have not idea how to bid complicated framing. I was recently asked by home owner to frame roof with cathedral ceiling. It is house in L shape. Someone would do demo of one line of L I suppose to frame roof and than cathedral ceiling under it. I say yeah for 65$/hour but after thinking of it decided to not take it as is better for me trimming somewhere for 50$ hour. Some general contractor show up and bid for everything, demo, frame etc for around 15K where if owner would go my route would cost him for demo by someone else and my frame 7k. I know because my very old customer is dealing with this customer that need roof framing. Obviously I do not want undercut bros in business just do not know how properly bid it. Any way who in normal mind would fight complicated roof framing if can trim somewhere for almost same money.
 
#2 ·
Second question first:

I wouldn’t hire a sub who quotes me an hourly rate.

You want to work by the hour, you’re my employee. You don’t perform to expectations, you’re gone. Period.

First question: Kind of like the above.

I would not hire a ”consultant” for my crew

If you can do the work, I hire you to do the work. That’s just a weird situation that I, as an employer, would not involve myself in.

And I judge books their covers. If you show up in a beat up truck, with rusty tools, sloppy organization, and dirty clothes, I’ll pass on hiring you.

Maybe not every one, but that’s how I do business.
 
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#5 ·
Seven-Delta-FortyOne said:
Second question first:
I wouldn’t hire a sub who quotes me an hourly rate.
Click to expand...
That depends and you know it. If the sub or the contractor has a good reputation then you will most likely save BIG BUCKS with a T&M approach. Otherwise as a sub I need to charge you my "what if" and ""unknown condition" as well as "profit and overhead". Either that or have a contract that holds YOU to change orders and change order fees and shut downs.
You are being short sighted for sure.

I worked as a GC in a townhome subdivision in Dallas. I kept myself and 4 men working and made BANG BUCK, all at lower rates than any other contractor and without a SINGLE BID OF ANY KIND. I did ONE JOB at T&M to begin with. The customer had identical work and material to an exactly identical unit. When word got out that I was thousands UNDER the other GC I could not keep up with the work.

Did I leave $$$ on the table. Most likely, my customers got great deals. What I got was an understanding that if anything was wrong it had to be fixed at the same T&M. This meant major structural repairs, replacement of cantilevered structure, adding structure, replacing structural members due to wood destroying organisms, mold work, etc. I only had to take a pic and send it and let them ...no bid, no approval, just go for it. I made bang buck and customers didn't pay the additional 20-40% that bidding allows.

the best part for me as a GC, my reputation locally and never having to leave that 500 unit subdivision for a job.
 
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#4 ·
Q1. The GC isn't going to hire a sub when he's already paying another sub for the same work. Done right or wrong isn't your concern unless you're writing the check.

Q2. If you don't know how to bid the work don't do the job. The reality is you're going to get stung a few times figuring it out. Along with that, your price is your price, it's what you want for the job, not what someone else is charging.
 
#8 ·
Who is my ilk? Contractors who got into the business to get ahead?

You never stopped to wonder why your customers were willing to wait for you when other guys weren't even working?

You're cheap. Low dollar Danny, my friend.

That doesn't make you more honest than me.
 
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