Hey guys,

     I included pictures of a print for a house for which I have been asked to submit bids for any work I would like to be considered for.  I intend to bid on the exterior ipe decking, real wood cedar shake siding, azek trim work, and interior trim package which will not include custom built ins or cabinetry, but rather casings, base, crown, wainscoting, etc…..

     I know the usuall back and forth dicussions that take place due to bidding questions with so many variables.

To give an idea of the level of quality: 

• 5000-8000sq ft 3 story coastal island homes on the beach blocks of expensive towns in the northeast.
• clay and slate roofs
• lead coated copper gutters
• real cedar shake wood siding
• 4 peice heads on windows and doors
• mohagany tongue and groove ceilings on porches
• harmon doors with $800 hinges
• ipe decking
• stainless steel standing seam roofs
• every peice of molding milled to order from local shop
• Solid core doors hung only with hand nails
• coffered, tray, and beadboard ceilings
• recessed receptacles cut into 8 inch base
• every ceiling and wall covered in wood panels

      The builder is all sub-contract except for trimwork which he has 2 or 3 carpenters to accomplish.  In the past we have always billed on an hourly basis, as we have been asked to work alongside in-house carpenters.  The work has been billed at around 35 to 40 per hour.  This seems to stretch the limits of the budget as the amount of hours are just incredible.  I want to know where other trim contractors are at this level

      If I use the invoices on similar projects  for the interior trim alone I have seen 15 weeks of labor for a 3-4 man crew on a 3500sq ft home with 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.  This labor price comes to  around 95,000 dollars.  This does not include hardwood floors, stairs, railings, vanities, laundry rooms, kitchen cabinets, custom built ins, and no materials.

      Does anyone have experience bidding trim of this scale?  I want to be sure I am not missing something before I submit a labor bid for $80-100K for half of the finish work in a house.   It seems staggering to me that bids are that high anywhere.

As for outside, the labor only rates are pretty straitforward, but to give you an idea of the price point….

• $5/linear foot Azek installation
• $8/sq ft for ipe decking installation
• 150/sq for cedar impressions     300/sq for cedar shakes