Replies

1. 
   BobKovacs | Sep 19, 2004 03:06am | #1

   Well, I'm sure you'll catch the same rash of replies that every "how much do you charge for ____" question gets...lol.

   First, we have no idea where you are, and whether a carpenter makes $7/hr or $70/hr.

   Second, we have no idea what your overhead costs or expected profits are.

   Lastly, we have no idea if the work being done is in a $75,000 tract shack, or a $10 million mansion, which would obviously affect the quality level.

   Given all of this, how can you possibly expect to get an answer that you'd be comfortable using to price a job?

   Bob

1. 
   taekwon | Sep 19, 2004 04:27am | #2

   Yes I understand.  However there is commonly per piece prices that are used in residential building construction.  An example being drywall hangers/ subcontractors are often paid 14 - 18 cents per foot to install drywall.  Laminate flooring installers often charge $2.00 per square foot.  I normally bid my jobs by time and material and of course figure in my overhead etc. 

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Sep 19, 2004 05:07am | #3

   Sounds like what you want is the National Renovator & Insurance Repair Estimator, a Craftsman publication.  I use it occaisionally, but often find the figures must be massaged to fit my particular situation.

   I never met a tool I didn't like!

1. 
   taekwon | Sep 19, 2004 06:12am | #4

   I'm not coming up with it online.  Would you have any contact info?

   Thank you,

   Bryan

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Sep 19, 2004 07:45am | #5

   http://www.craftsman-book.com  I think you can do a free 30 day trial download.

   According to the 2002 Natl Renovation & Insurance Repair Estimator, 3-1/2" stain grade pine pattern base, labor to install is $1.58/LF.

   Hanging 1/2" sheetrock, no tape or texture, labor is $0.41/sf

   How does that compare with your actual numbers?

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

2. 
   taekwon | Sep 19, 2004 04:16pm | #6

   I did get the download.  Actually I paid the $17.00 before I realized I could have had the free trial.  Oh well... probably would have purchased it anyway.

   WOW!!  If I could make .41 cents a foot hanging drywall I maybe would have to get back in the business!  (I left it over 10 years ago)  In our area the current going rate to subcontractors for 8 ft residential is around 14-18.  Over 8 foot pays double.  If I could get .41 cents a foot I most likely would average up around $100.00 an hour!

   The base trim at a $1.58 I really am not sure about.  I typically do remodel projects and get into a lot of time and material bids.  I have been playing with some numbers and have been figuring around $1.00... Maybe I am a little low?  Maybe my question should be how many feet in an hour is a reasonable figure?  That would make estimating a bit more accurate to our labor prices.

   Bryan

3. 
   Dez | Sep 20, 2004 01:05am | #7

   I find that the craftsman estimating books often are a lot higher than the what you can actually get for new const. But a guideline none the less. My 2 cents.

    

   Peace

4. 
   davidmeiland | Sep 20, 2004 01:25am | #8

   I would try to find productivity rates, i.e. lineal feet per hour, pieces per hour, cuts per hour... something like that. There's no way that $1.58 in San Francisco is the same as $1.58 in Dallas. Use productivity rates (which should be fairly uniform regardless of city) and the local hourly pay rates of carpenters to come up with the prices you need.

5. 
   FastEddie1 | Sep 20, 2004 04:46am | #9

   Means 'Residential Cost Data' 2003 ...

   3-1/2" stock pine base, 240 Lf/day/carpenter

   3-1/2" door trim, pine, one side (3 pieces), 1.509 hrs/set

   1/2" drywall, hung only, walls, 2000 sf/day/2 man crew

   5/8" on ceilings, 1800 sf/day/2 man crew

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

6. 
   taekwon | Sep 20, 2004 06:18am | #10

   Sounds about right except for the casing trim?  1.5 hours to trim one side?  Seems a bit excessive doesn't it?

7. 
   davidmeiland | Sep 20, 2004 06:25am | #12

   I think it depends on the material and the level of work you're trying to do. Tight fitting miters on mediocre material that need to be clear finished, where the sheetrock is proud of the jamb, the wall is not true, and the house is already occupied so the cutting is done outside... ouch. New construction where the framing and door hanging are done well and the openings are easy to get to, the casing legs sit under the head with no miters, and the saw is right there... boom!

8. 
   davidmeiland | Sep 20, 2004 06:22am | #11

   Ed, do they say anything about the circumstances, i.e. do I need to walk to another building across the way, get the material, move it upstairs, etc. etc., or is it sitting right in front of me and the chopsaw and gun are already set up? I presume it's more the latter... and you need to account for set-up, material handling, etc., separately.

9. 
   FastEddie1 | Sep 22, 2004 12:15am | #13

   No special comments.  Here's a pic of part of that page ...

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt