i usually work for time and matirials but it’s time for me to start doing bids with contracts instead.
Im pretty sure that I have all my bases as covered as I know how but what I would like to see is some of your contracts. I essentially want to know how much information to give the customer.
discussion on this topic as well as a scanned image of a blank contract would be immensly helpfull.
Also, what percentage do you use for handling reguarding matirials? This percentage, whatever it may be, is what I’d like to cover all of the miscelaneus (pardon my bad spelling) time (tellephone, driving, bid-figuring etc..). Is that the proper way to handle this type of time?
Any suggestions are greatly appriciated.. thanks
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–> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
Replies
good lord sky, learn to use the spellcheck feature.
ROAR!
wie wood ue cey thant?Yes, sorry about my poor spelling, i have no excuses except for that im a geneus trapped in a stubby fingered body (who aint too good at spelling)______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
Ignoring the poor spelling (which will lose you jobs with clients, BTW), I send three forms to a client who asks for an "estimate." The first is a Proposal I created on Word, which states basic info like name/address/phone # of clients, total job cost, what is included/not included, and a "disclosure" and signature space. The second form is a line item Estimate that I use QB Pro Contractor to create from a pre-existing item list that has my most common task prices saved. The third document is the Contract, a six-page legalspeak document that by signing the Proposal, the clients agree they have received a copy of and understnad and agree to all terms therein.
IIRC, you are just starting out; don't let that fool you...I give out the Contract whether I'm doing a $10K job or a $10 job.
Oh, and all three documents have my logo and matching letterhead printed on them... a 4 in 1 machine will do this for you and you'll need one soon anyway.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Ha, just ribbing ya.
Actually the spellchecker deal is a breeze to use. It does it all for you. What you have to do is just follow a series of clicks.be under a spell
A person with no sense of humor about themselves is fullashid
Spiel cheque forks find four ma.
SamT
It might seem silly but 90% of the businesses around here that actually use contracts use such a generic version that it's virtually worthless. If that's all you're looking for, $5 at Office Max gets you what you want.
The other option is to go visit a lawyer, preferably one with construction law experience, and I guarantee you that the $500 you spend will pay itself back in short order. We can all give you ideas of what we have and what we use, but you have to make it fit the rules where you are, and only someone who is well versed in those rules can do that for you.
But food for thought: What the work is, what the scope (specifics) are. What is specifically excluded from the contract. Responsibilities of the GC and the homeowner. This is where I say I am not your babysitter or your piano mover or your vet - the area will be empty, and your kids and pets will stay out for the duration. Cost. Payment schedule (and you have to be specific - dates even can be fuzzy if progress doesn't go according to plan. I prefer to base payments on completion of specific tasks in the timeline, or better yet, an inspection sticker. The framing is done and the city signed off on it. Time for a check.)
Hit by a truck clause. What happens if. For you and / or the homeowner. Hours of work. I like having that because it makes my head hurt when someone says well I only want you here in the morning junior takes a nap at 1 . . . sorry find someone else.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
Send me your email address and I'll send you back a sample proposal and a blank contract.
actually spell check doesent work for me on this forum because im using mozilla firefox, i think it is only compatable with MS.. Besides who cares what you guys think, 'bunch of jerks.. (jk)______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
I know you were joking by that comment but I think part of projecting a professional image means always projecting a professional image... 'cept maybe when you are tossing back a few with your buds... :-) For example, telling an off color joke when the client is not around is pretty embarrassing when you find that the client's 9 YO daughter heard it... BTW - I can't spell worth a 'dang'.
You can type your stuff in a word processor and then paste the text into whatever browser you are using.
More on topic, although I haven't used it, I hear that that that the Contractor's Legal Kit available through JLC is supposed to be pretty good. It comes with a CD so you have an electronic copy of the documents.http://www.constructionbook.com/xq/ASP/ProductID.3741/id.456/subID.476/qx/default2.htm
Matt
so sorry, I stand corectted. :o)
A person with no sense of humor about themselves is fullashid
I like a proposal to spell out the scope in detail. Lots of detail. References made to plans, specs, materials, finish, brand names, model numbers, etc.
A lump sum price is given, with no breakout whatsoever except for any allowances. Do not under any circumstances give any breakdown.
If you are the one who is going to do the design, or the drawings, or write the specs, as is typical in many remodeling and renovation jobs, you should find a way to charge up front for your proposal.
As for "handling" materials, I gotta presume you are talking about materials your client will buy directly for you to install. That's a no brainer. You should make full overhead and profit on that, as well of course on the materials that you furnish.
Another thing about materials the client furnishes. You really ought to make it clear that you need to do the ordering. By that I mean figuring quantities, determining specs, understanding lead times, contacting the suppliers, releasing the orders, etc.
There is a big annoyance factor when dealing, for example, with tile the client says he'll buy from Tile City or someplace. If the client buys it and shorts the job, you will lose money chasing down the additional material needed. That is why you need to do all the ordering.
Finally, your proposal should state, clearly, what payment terms are expected.
Gene Davis, Davis Housewrights, Inc., Lake Placid, NY