Replies

1. 
   SamT | Jun 09, 2004 03:18pm | #1

   Why should the material you're working with change your hourly labor rates?

   SamT

   Arguing with a Breaktimer is like mud-wrestling a pig -- Sooner or later you find out the pig loves it. Andy Engel

1. 
   davidmeiland | Jun 09, 2004 04:34pm | #2

   In theory it shouldn't, but vinyl is low-market material and you'll be competing with outfits that come in and install it for cheap!

1. 
   WHI | Jun 09, 2004 05:58pm | #3

   So tell me how do i bid? Low ball and hope for the best? Is it worth going for the job?

1. 
   davidmeiland | Jun 10, 2004 03:12am | #6

   Hard questions. One school of thought is that you figure your costs, add your markup, and that's your bid, regardless of what the competition charges. If you don't have historic data to use in bidding the labor then it's hard. You might be able to use some of the estimating guidelines that are out there... maybe check on the JLC forum with Bob Kovacs and see if he can steer you to some info.

   Another way to do it is bid to get the job. In that case you need to know what the competition is charging and bid accordingly. Sometimes you can charge more than they do and still win, if you're a better salesman, a nicer guy, available now, etc. You would only do this if (a) you need the work, (b) you want to see whether vinyl is a good market for you.

   Most established contractors would go for the first method, and bid whatever it takes to cover their costs and their profit. If you're not established or you suddenly have an ugly hole in your schedule, then you might go for #2.

2. 
   jpbsystems | Jun 10, 2004 05:27am | #7

   WHI,

   I'm in NC.  We do it this way...

   Soffit & Fascia LF = $15Fascia Only LF = $7.50 Porch Beam LF = $14Porch Ceiling SF = $2.00Siding Per Square = $310Wrap Windows & Doors = $50 ea.

   Hope you find this helpful. These may be low where you are... or high.  Compare pricing in your area.______________________________________________________

   Joe B.Full House Remodeling &JPB Systems LLC. - Remodeling Marketing TacticsRemodelingRiches.com 

2. 
   NickNukeEm | Jun 10, 2004 02:30am | #4

   Good luck competing in that market.  Around here, the help takes English-as-a-second-language courses at night and are paid rock bottom dollar, and those dollars are usually in cash.

   Sorry to rain on your parade, but as bad as that sounds, there is good news; people are residing with vinyl at an estonishing rate.  On any given day, I pass at least a half dozen places being buried in anonimity with plastic (in case you couldn't tell, I'm not a fan.)

   The point is, supply and demand.  We have McMansions going up around here and every one are clad in vinyl beige, grays, and whites; they all begin to look alike after a while.  Sorry, I digress.  Just remember to rip off the old siding first; from what I've been told, leaving the old stuff up creates a haven for mold.  Some contractors are getting into the re-vinyl-siding siding business, where they rip off the new stuff, then rip off the old shingles/claps/whatever, then hang all new stuff.  Now there's the business you got to get into.

   Hope this helped, but I won't be affended if it didn't.  I just don't like vinyl siding, it robs a good house of character and charm.  Too rectilinear.

   I never met a tool I didn't like!
1. 
   edwardh1 | Jun 10, 2004 02:50am | #5

   think hardieplank!