Replies

1. 
   JHOLE | Aug 31, 2007 04:28am | #1

   Yes you bill any thing that you wouldn't have done from your bed while sleeping in or more on the days that your wife had off work.

   your work is part of the cost of the cost plus.

   Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City

2. 
   roger g | Aug 31, 2007 04:29am | #2

   Cost plus is what it means. ALL your costs. Wages are a cost. If you were paying someone to do your job it is a cost. If you do the job yourself it is still a cost. ALL your costs PLUS.

    

   roger

3. 
   FastEddie | Aug 31, 2007 04:33am | #3

   You get to bill whatever you put into the contract.  You could show it as labor + markup, and then you could say that you might sub it out or use an employee, and the employee could be you working for you.

   "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

4. 
   maverick | Sep 05, 2007 05:07am | #4

   I do a lot of cost plus contracts. the only thing I do not add the percentage to is my hourly rate, but my rate is perfectly adequate. everything else is bonus money

   $50 per hour plus 10% is $55, just charge the $55 rate and it wont appear like you're double dipping

1. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Sep 05, 2007 05:03pm | #6

   Maverick has the best take on this question.  Top Gun on and off the job. ;-)

5. 
   Piffin | Sep 05, 2007 01:22pm | #5

   Definitely bill for your hours.

   but if you decide to work for free, I can find you a berth...

   ;)

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

6. 
   Schelling | Sep 06, 2007 02:52am | #7

   We do many cost plus projects. We mark up everything a fixed percentage except our labor, which already includes an internal markup for overhead and profit.

    

   We charge for all our time connected with the job, including supervising subs, ordering materials, meeting with the owners, and anything else that is required to make the job proceed.

   The most important point is to make all this perfectly clear before any work begins and to make sure that there is a realistic budget for the project even if many of the decisions have not been made.

1. 
   WoodShopGuy | Oct 01, 2007 01:59am | #8

   I believe in the KISS principle (as told to me): Keep It Simple, Stupid!In the small part-time home improvement business I now have, it is agreed up front that all billings are shown as my hourly rate plus materials, or Costs Plus – as I interpret that to mean. True, some want a fixed price estimate; and If so, I simply tell them I don't do that, thank them for calling me, and walk out. (Am fortunate in that I no longer have to gamble on that sort of contract -- been down that road too many times.)I bill via a simple Excel spreadsheet with lots of room for notes – usually one line per day, showing my hours plus materials, supplies and sub-contracted things. I, of course, keep all receipts for materials, supplies, things sub-contracted to others and so on for tax purposes. If any customer questions or wants to see receipts from what I claim to have spent, I happily copy the receipt(s) and give to them. My billing sheet shows the same amount with no up-charges. Did I get paid to go to Home Depot to buy stuff, or negotiate on the phone with a sub and later meet with for the installation and on, and on, and on? Of Course! It is padded in my labor part of the bill. Most seem to like this method better. (People who know me and my honesty just ask how much money I want now then when will it be finished?) Also, if some say they have or want to buy something, instead of me, to use on the job I say, “Sure, that will be fine!” Chances they are going to buy the wrong thing or some cheap piece of chit and end up returning it and/or paying me (at least) double for installation, application, fooling around, etc. There is usually not second event like this.Cheers!