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I am thinking of starting a trim crew here in the atlanta market and would like to know how pricing is done for new construction, say residential. I have seen some good stuff on framing pricing but nothing on trim.
Are you pricing for the basic stuff like windows, doors and baseboard, and then adding in for crown (the amount of crown) and coffers, etc?
Anyone care to start this off?
Thanks in advance.
Terry
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Hi Terry. I trim houses with my father in Louisville, Ky and although he runs the business, I think I can give you a few tips. Most items are priced as piecework, for example: base and lineal moldings by the foot,doors and windows per opening,etc. Simple stairs are per tread and foot of handrail while curved or more complicated sets are bid based on an estimate on man- hours involved .All bookcases, mantles and built-ins are bid after we go over a detailed drawing with the builder. Experience has taught us to add on for things like scribing casings that hit nearby walls and ceilings(a necessary evil sometimes), every corner after four on crown moldings,and more labor when work is to be stained(rare as of late). We have been fortunate to find a few builders that work within a reasonable time frame too.Most of our competition really run and (nail)gun , but ooh the caulk bill! Good luck with everything.
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How's it going Terry . I have used some of Brads approaches but since I now focus on production homes I have gone to a per sq. ft pricing with chair railing , crown molding ect. always being extra and priced by the linear ft. . These homes are equipped with pre built star railings that only need to be cut to proper lentgh and installed , on site rail assemblies require a seperate price system IMO .
I always price kitchen cabinents seperately because even in production bulding the kitchen is one area with numerous layouts and options .
I also offer pricing for wire shelving and door and bath hardware . Using a base sq ft price makes it easy to give a builder a really close price quickly on his base house and I have it broken down with various options included or excluded . However you must be very clear on what it includes and what is not included . For some builders I only install the flat trimwork , railings , and doors and they sub out the hardware and kitchens to the many companies that specialize only in those areas ,others want all the hardware and the kitchen and like dealing with one contractor for all these items .
A safe way to get in the trim business in my area is to start out by subbing from a supply company . The pricing is set , though it is low IMO , they supply all the trim and you get paid quickly . 2 weeks where I live versus 30 days or more when it comes directly from the builder .
Hey Brad you are fortunate to to have guys giving you time to do your job correctly . LOL In Md. I most builders think 1 day is always enough for a 1st trim . And they never schedule a 2nd trim without plumbers , electricians and painters also on the board . Good luck Terry
*Are your prices (per sf, per ft, per tread, etc.) based just on how long it usually takes, or do you charge more per hour for more difficult tasks (for example, 5-part curved stained crown v. ranch baseboard)?
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In my market, I have set up a pricing schedule. Usually this is based on piecework, i.e., price/lineal foot of a specific trim or modular costs for windows and doors, etc.
Non-standard work is done a bid basis after reviewing plans and talking with either the customer or contractor to assess specifics and make sure everyone is envisioning the same end product.
Make sure you take into consideration any extenuating circumstances, such as a lot of scribe work or milling.
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Geez. One day for a house? All the guys I see pictured in FHB look as though they just moved into the place for a couple of weeks and made themselves at home. My hats off to you pros.
Dennis
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Terry,
Good luck. Itrim in the Dallas area. Iuse a per
square foot pricing for basic trim [interior
dooors,base window stools with aprons] everything else are extras. I don't do production because
in this area people want speed. I turn down
work weekly,but could do more if I could find
some good help.
John
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I am thinking of starting a trim crew here in the atlanta market and would like to know how pricing is done for new construction, say residential. I have seen some good stuff on framing pricing but nothing on trim.
Are you pricing for the basic stuff like windows, doors and baseboard, and then adding in for crown (the amount of crown) and coffers, etc?
Anyone care to start this off?
Thanks in advance.
Terry