Bid as percentage of total? - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

Joefixit2 · 09-07-2009, 08:47 PM

I have been pretty accurate at most of my bids, but I have never bid a custom home as big as the one I have to bid on right now. It is 4200 sq ft with a 400A service and over 120 recessed cans.

I am thinking of just using what I would normally charge for a 1500 sq ft times 3 for a rough idea, then adding for the specialty stuff like floor plugs, undercabs, etc. I usually go over the whole job in my mind to arrive at my estimate, I gave up on take offs.

I happen to know that one general has already bid 1.5 Million for the whole job.

I know every job is different but does anyone have an idea what percentage of a custom homes cost is usually for electrical?

MDShunk · 09-07-2009, 09:21 PM

I'd still highly encourge you to do a takeoff, regardless of how hard it might seem. Bankruptcy is hard too.

NolaTigaBait · 09-07-2009, 10:04 PM

Yeah, that method seems just as bad as trying to price the job by the square foot. It's funny how people will spend 1.5 million on the house but if you tell them 40k to wire it, they think you're crazy.

robnj772 · 09-08-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joefixit2

I have been pretty accurate at most of my bids, but I have never bid a custom home as big as the one I have to bid on right now. It is 4200 sq ft with a 400A service and over 120 recessed cans.

I am thinking of just using what I would normally charge for a 1500 sq ft times 3 for a rough idea, then adding for the specialty stuff like floor plugs, undercabs, etc. I usually go over the whole job in my mind to arrive at my estimate, I gave up on take offs.

I happen to know that one general has already bid 1.5 Million for the whole job.

I know every job is different but does anyone have an idea what percentage of a custom homes cost is usually for electrical?

"I gave up on takeoffs"

That is just way too funny.

Next he will post

"I gave up on making money" or "I gave up on winnning jobs"

HMMMMMMMMMMMM maybe he is on to something........

Joefixit2 · 09-08-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robnj772

"I gave up on takeoffs"

That is just way too funny.

Next he will post

"I gave up on making money" or "I gave up on winnning jobs"

HMMMMMMMMMMMM maybe he is on to something........

Gee thanks for the help. Actually I've been going over 10 years now and doing very well, but I'm only a 2 man shop and have not done many big jobs, that's kinda why I asked for a little advice.

Thanks to those who were actually helpful.

Shado · 09-08-2009, 01:00 PM

Joe...1st off, the key word in your post is 'custom'.

I don't think you can have an average percent cost for a custom home, that is why they are custom. Due to build style, higher ceilings, framing members that can't be drilled, longer home runs, etc....the time spent on a real take off will give you the best chance of making some real money.

Even if you ballpark it and make a few $$$, how upset would you be if/when you went over the job at the end and realized you left more $$$ on the table?

I think in these times...every DOLLAR counts! Since the road to recovery is going to be a long slow one.

Power Tech · 09-08-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NolaTigaBait

Yeah, that method seems just as bad as trying to price the job by the square foot. It's funny how people will spend 1.5 million on the house but if you tell them 40k to wire it, they think you're crazy.

Correct me if I am wrong. On average, shouldn't it be more like 10% of the total price.

The last custom I did was 3,800 sq. ft. Bid at $39,000, with extras $44,000. And struggled with that. I thought the entry chandelier was the refrigerator when it came. The total job costed around $750,000 with about $250,000 in site (hill side) work.

Is there any residential contractors that do enough new construction to get an idea on % of total bid?

robnj772 · 09-08-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power Tech

Is there any residential contractors that do enough new construction to get an idea on % of total bid?

There are so many factors involved with that there is no way

If you use SQ foot your gonna loose your shirt

If you bid it that way your gonna loose alot more then your shirt.

Unless your doing a development for the same GC neither method is going to work.

The original op said he "gave up on doing take offs"

YOU MUST DO A DETAILED TAKE OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Magnettica · 09-08-2009, 05:01 PM

Magic Formula - $1.500,000.00 x 0.03 = $45,000.

robnj772 · 09-08-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnettica

Magic Formula - $1.500,000.00 x 0.03 = $45,000.

Hey just the guy I was looking for.

I just put up a shed behind my house for a $1,000

Using your formula $1,000 x 0.03= $30

Will you come wire it up for $30 ????

Celtic · 09-08-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robnj772

Hey just the guy I was looking for.

I just put up a shed behind my house for a $1,000

Using your formula $1,000 x 0.03= $30

Will you come wire it up for $30 ????

I will...BTW, there is no requirement for any electric - so just meet me at Delicious Orchards with cash or there's gonna be trouble

user5941 · 09-08-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celtic

I will...BTW, there is no requirement for any electric - so just meet me at Delicious Orchards with cash or there's gonna be trouble

That was my thought ,wire to code minimum and since their is no requirement for electric everything would be an extra and 30 bucks ics what i usually charge for not showing up.

480sparky · 09-08-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnettica

Magic Formula - $1.500,000.00 x 0.03 = $45,000.

I need a 200a service put in a house tomorrow. I figure it's about 600 in material.

Here's a twenty. Keep the change.

user5941 · 09-08-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnettica

Magic Formula - $1.500,000.00 x 0.03 = $45,000.

you must have stole a book from an insurance claims adjuster

Joefixit2 · 09-08-2009, 10:29 PM

Since it seems unanimous I will do the take off, and go over the plans with a fine toothed comb looking for framing details etc. I appreciate everyones help in steering me in the right direction. I already have an idea in my head, will be interesting to see how it comes out with the take off.

Thanks again everyone for your help.