Replies

1. 
   RW | Oct 08, 2006 11:40pm | #1

   I dont know about best, I start with a count. This gives me an overview. I have 1000 ft of this, 250 feet of that, and then I walk the house when its framed and ideally, right before rock goes on so I can mark studs, pipes, and think about additional blocking that might be really easy now and not so much later. I can get most of what I need from a print, but if I have the chance to walk it, I do.

   My lineal foot count is a starting point. I take into consideration site conditions, any rooms that are going to add a challenge factor, or things like height - crown on a 20 ft ceiling is more time consuming than on an 8'. Add in the one offs based on how long those will take, and come up with a total.

   What I think is a lousy idea but happens alot here is a price per room. I've heard of X per room for base or X per window to case. No matter if its a closet, bath, or great room, a tiny window or a paladian. I think that's just not knowing how to actually bid anything.

   Real trucks dont have sparkplugs

1. 
   user-211695 | Oct 09, 2006 06:14am | #3

   In my area, it is common to price by the square foot of the house.  While good money can be made this way, I've always felt there must be a better way, to be more consistant with the homeowner and myself.  For example, it may be a 2500 sq. ft. house X $1.25 per sq ft = $3125.  That includes hanging and trimming all interior doors and trimming windows, regardless if they are picture framed, or with a sill and apron.  (If there is crown molding, that is extra & how to charge for this is mostly educated guess).

   I suppose it is easier to price a job this way, but it is not consistant per house.  For example: two houses just alike, one may have the windows trimmed as picture frame, while the other has a sill and apron...and maybe even jamb extenders.  Obviously, the latter will envolve more work, while the price is the same as the first one. This may cause the first homeowner ill feelings and the latter to feel he got the better deal...and me to feel like I robbed one or favored the other.  I would like to perfect (as near as possible) a better way.

2. 
   ubc | Oct 08, 2006 11:50pm | #2

   It depends on the situation are you talking new construction or a remodel? If it's new I would give a bid based on my estimate of how long the job will take.

   If you're talking a remodel you have to be more aware of the site conditions. Is the placed lived in? If so then what about dust control. How bad is the ceiling out of wack (if crown is going up)? You have baseboard to install. OK well what is the floor like - will you need to scribe the base to the floor or will a shoe mold cover any gaps.

   These things may be obvious to you, I don't know. But what I can tell you is I've learned, unfortunately, the hard way that the more info you start with the better. For instance, I installed a simple base in a den several months ago. Not a big deal right. I knew I was gonna cope the inside corners and have mitered returns to deal with but I never checked to see what the floor was like. What should have been a 3 hour job (in my mind) turned out to be a nightmare. The floor was soooo bad that I spent triple the amount of time to get the base in! (did the same thing with the crown!).

   You'll save yourself lots of aggravation if you spend extra time looking at a job.

   Hope this helps,

   Brian

1. 
   user-211695 | Oct 09, 2006 06:29am | #4

   Yes, remodeling jobs are the tricky ones.  I've found there are always those things I forget to consider.  I deal with that feeling of not wanting to overcharge and yet wind up seeing that I've undercharged!

   Your advice about looking at the job first is very true.  I don't give price quotes over the phone as it is too easy to think you're both on the same page when, in actuality, you are not.  I've had too many of those "one hour" jobs that has taken me most of the day :-)

   Then there is the problem of add ons after the job is started.  I find my "gut feel" for how long something will take is most always way under.  I don't want to "rob" someone, but at the same time, I've had enough of that "bad taste" of underbidding in my own mouth.  Quality of work is not a problem, as I love working with wood...it's that time and pricing problem that plagues me!

    

   Edited 10/8/2006 11:34 pm ET by Trim man