Story and a half something like this, complete finished walkout basement makes it about 4200 sf finished, plus finished guest apartment over attached 24 x 28 garage.
From plans and specs receipt, how many working days might it take you to deliver a lump-sum firm-price proposal?
Look high and low to find and plug air leaks that cost you money and comfort.
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Replies
About a week...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
A little over 5 years...
yeah...
about a week....
collectively.....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
2 weeks.
I could do the carpentry labor, come close on materials in a week or less.
Subs/suppliers always take longer to get back to me with hard bids than it takes me to do my stuff.
You're right about the outside bids, and therein lies the problem. We're gonna get four working days, with a weekend between.
The phone tag, fax tag, blah blah blah, with the outsiders is going to be a real tapdance.
View Image
"A stripe is just as real as a goddamn flower."
Gene Davis 1920-1985
I would say it depends on how clear the archie's plans and specs are. I don't usually quote on stuff I didn't design myself, but when I do, it always takes longer because I have to figure out what he forgot to write down and clear it up with him before I can continue.
Four working days for you to get a bid in on that is pushing things. What reason did he give for demanding the bid in four days?
I would want at least two weeks to do that bid. More if the architect isn't very organised. And the bid would cost him about $3500.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....
I feel for you. Here is hoping it works out.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Why are you being "given" 4 days?
If they won't give you a reasonable amount of time to your proposal together tell them to stick it.
slow or not, if they're going to start jerking you around now, imagine what later is going to be late?
When they throw an unreasonable time crunch at me like that, I just inflate the bid accordingly. What else ya gonna do? Refuse to bid, I suppose.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
That was my thought too. I'd probably "bid" it in fifteen minutes....maybe five....probably one. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I just tell them that I need X amount of time to do it properly and if that amount of time is not available, I appreciate the oppurtunity but I will have to pass this time.
"Why are you being "given" 4 days?
If they won't give you a reasonable amount of time to your proposal together tell them to stick it.
slow or not, if they're going to start jerking you around now, imagine what later is going to be late?"
That's what I'm learning to call an "alarm bell" going off....If they're already unreasonable and don't understand construction,timelines, subtrades, et al, they "might" be giving you ridiculous timeline expectations from now on....
Like my current client who wants a nine month job done in 5!
"If 'tis to be,'twil be done by me."
Edited 5/27/2008 10:18 am by Philter
I used to be on the county's HUD bid list - for rehab and handicap projects. To be on that list, you HAVE to bid every project they give you... or else they take you off the list.
I bid a lot of projects to them. And a lot of projects came up that I had no time to bid. So I'd just make up a number that I thought was high, hope for the best and submit it. I must've bid a hundred projects, actually got two, didn't make any money to speak of (not enough to cover all the time invested in constantly bidding their stuff), and finally got off that list!
I have never been a fast bidder. I tend to be very thorough - so therefore I have seldom been low bidder. I have numerous times been told that even 'tho the client didn't take my bid, by the time they paid for all the 'extras' (that were included in my bid), it ended up costing them more than my bid. Thanks, how does that help pay my bills?View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I'll bet he's been given four days because they already have a bid that they sorta like and that bid inclucdes a deadline for acceptance. Owner is looking for a reality check, or is just a little bit nervous about the existing bid.
In theory I could do it in a solid week's work, but in reality a firm price won't happen. Too many of the trades here won't bid, so there would be a lot of allowances. All I would really have to do would be to figure carpentry materials and labor, plus have about a dozen phone calls with key subs. That would get me to a number that I would hope was within about 10%.
3 minutes. I'll do it for 1.8 million.
Where's it located?
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Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.net
See some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
Maybe times 2 that.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
New book alert; Eckhart Tolle "A new earth"
A must read.
Okay. Or better yet, make it 4 times. I'm easy.
Actually, my first thought was like Schellings - wonder why the big hurry, is this someone I'd want to do business with. It reminds me of how con artists always need a quick decission. --------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
I was kinda jokin, but really, I sometimes can take a wild stab, and double it, and come out just about right on.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
New book alert; Eckhart Tolle "A new earth"
A must read.
Me too, but my projects are usually less than a week. More often a day or two. I wouldn't chance it with building a house, unless I was confident that I came in on the high end.--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
Wish I had one to bid! but maybe not - I'm not fast at bidding. I'll say 2 or 3 weeks (because I've got to collect all the subcontractor bids), and I wouldn't be low bidder.
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
One day, but I would not have firm prices from my subs. I would have to use historical data and unit costs from similar projects. I would make sure that I was on the high end of that range but would be fairly confident.
I would be more concerned with the rushed nature of the procedure. Are these people someone I want to work with? How good are the specs? Are they just looking for the best price?