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Post by jonzjan on Feb 28, 2008 1:29:56 GMT -5
Yes another help me bid post. I am bidding my first construction clean up and want to be able to pass some cash to family for labor and still get mine. I worry about unseen issues like paint on vinyl window frames, paint in shower stall and cabinetry, and so on. So here is a rough overview what I am facing 2 story (low income) apartment complex with 8 identical 2 bedroom 1 bath units. Mostly carpet, minus bath and kitchen linoleum. Just a complete renovation. I ussually charge 24.95 per man hour. "Man" being myself. Windows will be done by myself for aprox. $5 per window.
O.K. I know that I will need to increase these charges, but i will hate to lose this opportunity to the big dogs. Any suggestions will help alot. But a sample bid letter would be awesome. I struggle to impress.
Sorry so long and boring, JW&JS Josh
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Post by logan5127 on Feb 28, 2008 11:23:48 GMT -5
Cost of living may be more there but here in Tn I would bid $25 a hour and $20 per window. Any carpet cleaning would also be extra. So we are close to the same. I was called by a company last year that said they were impressed with our reputation and that I could be a big asset to them. Same type set up, two story , low income appartments. I did a walk thru. Figured 4 hours to a unit with 7 windows. Comes to $ 240 an appartment. They called back and said They thought I was a little high and I didn't understand just how big of an asset they would be to me since they had 300 of these units. So I came down on price to $220 a unit. They said they would pay me $50 a unit. I told them I didn't need assets that cost me money. Never heard from them again. Some would think Wow!!! 300 times $50 = $15,000.00. Don't let big figures cause you to have to move into one of these low income houses.
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Post by jonzjan on Feb 28, 2008 15:40:53 GMT -5
As always, Dan "the man" comes in with solid advice. I have 12 apartments and I think that I can do the cleaning in approx. 2-3 hrs/ ($75)/unit. This is not including the window cleaning. Windows will be $5 (inside & out) and $10 for the second story windows. So here is my official bid. If you get a chance tell me what you think before the point of no return tomorrow. Thanks Again! 32 2 lite sliding windows. 12 3 lite sliding windows. Window cleaning equals $330 12 Apartments at approx. 2-3 hrs each equals $899.40 Charges Total per Unit = $102.45
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Post by logan5127 on Feb 28, 2008 16:16:52 GMT -5
Is still low if you had employees. If you get this job, Keep up with the time it takes you for future bidding. Take the amount of hours it takes you and multiply that times the amount you would be paying an employee by the hour. Add around 27% for payroll taxes and workers comp. Add a small percent for advertising, phone,cleaning supplies and business expense( maybe 5%). Then with that total take it away from what you made on the job.Now with what you have left over take another 20% away for Uncle Sam. See what you have left for profit. How long do you think it will take to do the windows with the paint on them? I think this is where you may come up low if they do have paint on them. Figure that time in and then do the above calculating using $10 hr for employee and see what you come up with. It will probably be around $250 profit which is not much for working 36 hours plus hours for windows on a job that is a one time job. I know you are new to this and it will be more money for you because you do not have employees, but what if they call you back in a year and you do have employees and you are busy working to make the business grow instead of doing all the manual work yourself. Just something for you to think about. And is also just my opinions and thoughts.
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Post by jonzjan on Feb 28, 2008 17:37:39 GMT -5
Dear Dan, I am going to go with the low bid and try to seal the deal. I will reply again when I get a response from the contractor and let you know how the job works out for me, as far as profit goes. I hope that you know how much your input helps.
Sincerely, Josh
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Post by logan5127 on Feb 28, 2008 17:42:50 GMT -5
You will do just fine. Just wanted to show some ideas. Sometimes I get carried away.
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Post by jonzjan on Mar 5, 2008 0:41:31 GMT -5
So, I turned in my official bid of $1250 for the 12 unit complex and stipulated $110 for each additional individual unit. They jumped at it and signed immediately. Unfortunately, they also told me that my bid was peanuts compared to the other cleaning service providers in my area. I will not go so low in the future, because now I will not be able to hire any help and will have to complete the project solo in order to make my money. If anyone reads this, TAKE DANS ADVICE!
Thanks again Josh
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Post by Kevin on Mar 26, 2008 16:17:39 GMT -5
Josh, How long did it take you to complete the job?
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