What prices are you guys getting for piece work trim carpentry these days. I was talking to a friend who going to start working in a new development of starter homes. It will be a mix of paint grade and prefinshed millwork and doors depending on the house. All cabinets are Aristocraft maple with crown. All corners (including windows and stairway walls are rounded).
Here’s what he said he would pay:
$345.00 kitchen and bath cabs
$10.00 a sheet for vinyl underlay (about 15 sheets)
$250.00 baseboard (1700 sf house)
$25.00 per door hung and cased or any closet
$5.00 window stool
$50.00 all hardware installed and putty
$15.00 per grab rail
$15.00 per half wall cap
This is in the Seattle area. I’ve done a lot of it before but not sure if I’m up for 30+ houses again.
Replies
please clarify..."your friend will start working" - the prices you listed are what he would "pay" or "charge".
also can you tell me what kind of homes are they; upscale or midrage...I assume they are not upscale. I can't imagine rounded corners at the windows (ie no window jambs) in a nice home. but who knows what people like these days.
aslo the prices sound low, but I'm also trying to relate your prices to my area which is across the border, do you know what trim carps get for an hourly rate where you live?
Edited 10/31/2006 1:49 am ET by alrightythen
Sorry. What he would pay me to do the work for his company on a subcontractors basis.
These are homes that are in the $250,000 range. First time buyers. Level, plumb and square are foreign concepts. You really have to fight to fit everything together right.
Yes, every corner (except the ceilings) are rounded.
Edited 10/31/2006 2:01 am ET by markew
just reread..I see you said they are starter homes....
Seattle may be vastly different than Vancouver area or quite similar taking into account the exchange rate...but that may be about right for fast work - I don't know... not kinda work I like....but if you gotta keep busy and pay the bills.
I'll be interested to see what other feedback you get, I'm not totally up on those kinda of rates. I do know that trim carps get from $45 - $60 per hour in Vancouver and surrounding areas.
I also know for my cab install I paid $500 CDN which probably equates to your $350
Edited 10/31/2006 1:59 am ET by alrightythen
Those look like trac home prices and I'm reminded of why I dont like to do them.
Some of the prices seam low compared to here (Iowa) and it looks like you'll have to hustle to make good money but whatever pays the bills.
I'm currious, does the $345 for the kitchen/bath include setting the tops? I cant imagine anything but laminate in a trac.
Doug
That price sounds pretty low. If the extension jambs on the windows are bullnosed, then $5.00 for the stool is real low.
Did they square the bottoms of the bullnosed outside corners? If not, that can make base board a PITA, and $250.00 wont go far. The bullnose question also applies to the top of the half walls, it's not any harder to trim but takes a different approach.
Putty? Isn't that the painters job?
I have heard of cabinet guys getting $50.00 every time they open a box, including Fillers. Crown is extra.
I'm in Michigan, and I wouldn't jump at those prices unless I really needed the work.
Edited 10/31/2006 9:26 am ET by knight