Working on estimate for re -roof job, approx. 16 sq. Seen quite a few varied prices here, from $50 sq to over $200 sq. Question – are these prices labor only or is that everything? Does it make any difference if roofing over existing shingles (HO insists & there is only 1 layer)? Plan on using “nesting” method mentioned in FHB April / May ’01, probably architectural shingles. If you’re out there Piffin, what are the roofing rates your way, I think you’re closest to my area. Thankyou in advance
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I'm a roofing contracter in N.Y., and to see prices betwwen $50-$200 a square for installation only isn't completely unusuall. To be competitive I try to be at about $70-$80 a square for install only which gets me most jobs, at the same time I can still make pretty good money.
"Question - are these prices labor only or is that everything?"
Why not ask the guys who are giving you these prices? Did you not speak to them when they came by to look the job over?
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Sorry, I was not clear. I meant I've seen the variance in prices here on Breaktime. I'll be doing the job myself. I haven't had enough experience so I'm still trying to establish my pricing system. Trying to be competetive & profitable. Friend says not to charge any less than $100 sq., install only.
OK, I'm not going to tell you what to charge, but I'll help you think it through.
is this a tear off? if not, why not?
What are dump fees?
How steep is it?
how fast are you?
What special equipment will you need to buy to do the job? How often will you use that stuff in the futurre?
What is a nesting method? haven't heard the term.
Do you have insurance and how much does it cost? if not, why not?
and a comment.
if you can't answer these questions with some degree of certainty, why are you trying to bid on a roof?
This is not to put you down, but to get you thinking on it, 'cause if I don't force you to ask yourself now, I gaurantee you'll be asking yourself these same questions later.
While you think, I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow night.
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Thanks for the reminders. Those are all questions I ask everyday. I'm learning something new everyday. It used to be I only worried about the technical parts of the job. Now I worry about the money part, which I hate. I want to make sure I charge enough so I can focus on doing a good quality job w/o worrying about how much I'm making. I plan on starting to record all my time & costs more dilligently for each job so I can make my own costbook; but know there still is some guess work. Thanks for all the support. I'm starting to get more calls since my newspaper ad & putting my cards in local lumber yard. What I have to do now is learn to schedule my time better; people always want to know how soon you can do their project.
Well, got to get the kids to bed; still have the cleaning business so wife is working tonight; When I start making a living from carpentry (my wife starting to think I just do carpentry jobs so I have an excuse to buy tools) we can hire someonelse to do cleaning. Goodnight all.
Edited 9/27/2004 7:10 pm ET by carpenter in progress
keeping all that in mind, let's say that you have to price yourself out at fifty bucks an hour and you are reasonably sure you can lay a square (with all the flshing and cleanup ) in two hours, then your friend has advised you properly.
The last whole house roof I subbed out - Green CU has seen it - had a fair amt of flashing and was a 9/12 pitch on a new surfacce which is easier than old nesting, and I paid 80 / SQ
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
labor only
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Plan on using "nesting" method mentioned in FHB April / May '01, probably architectural shingles.
If I remember the terminology correctly, "nesting" is butting the top of the new course against the bottom of the old course. If you're laying dimensionals over 3 tabs, the 3 tab reveal is probably 5" and the dimensional reveal is probably 5 5/8". Locally, there is only one brand of non-metric dimensionals available.
from $50 sq to over $200 sq. Question - are these prices labor only or is that everything?
I think you've answered your own question there. Since dimensionals cost about 40 odd dollars a square, the $50/sq must be for labor only. The $200/sq must be for everything. All roofs are not equal, nor are roofers. Is the roof broken up or two large planes? Lots of flashings to be replaced? Tough landscaping to work over? More than one story? Is rooftop delivery available? I pay my subs $35/sq - $60/sq (labor only)depending on all the variables. Pay careful attention to Piffen's post.
I invented variables.