NolaTigaBait

How long does it take you guys to give an estimate? From the time you look over the to the time you call the customer with a price.

Black4Truck

Depends.. if the job has plans.. usually the next day.

I always try to give a price before I leave the house.

This way I can sign up the job right there

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NolaTigaBait

I usually take at least a night to give a price. I'm not that good at it yet to give one before I leave. I see the logic of doing it your way. You lock them down with a price right away and maybe they don't get another price.

robnj772

That depends on so many different factors.

After a while you will be able to just look at a basic job and come up with a price.

After you have done so many pools,hot tubs,services Etc Etc.

I have alot of my prices on speadsheets on a palm pilot. Alot of times its good to give them a price while your there,If they like you and your price seems fair they probably go for it without calling someone else.

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Yep...

NolaTigaBait

The reason why I ask is b/c I just looked at a job today. It has so many different things. There is a couple of circuits to run b/c of overloaded circuits, but there is some troubleshooting that will probably be billed t&m because I really won't know until I get into the job. How would you guys handle this. For the stuff I know I can do give a solid price and for the questionable stuff charge t&m.

robnj772

Give them a solid price on what you can,expalin to them about the trouleshooting and give them a time and material not to exceed a certain amount on the rest. Figure it on the high side and if you get it done quick and you come in under your number your a hero in their eyes.

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Yep...

Black4Truck

Billing T & M is always a hard sell IMO.

If they get more estimates, you might be the only one saying T & M.. never a good thing

I would of figured out a number that covered all the bases if it turned into a nightmare.

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RIVETER

You have to have a realistic knowlege of your capabilities. That will convert into your labor charges; I've had people ask to me "Why are the other guys $200.00 less than you? I really like the way you talk, and you really seem to know what you are doing...why can't you come down to their price? My anwer has always been and it has served me well is,"They must know what they are worth."

BCSparkyGirl

At this stage in the game, I have no idea how to estimate. So far I just give em an hourly rate, and everyone has been happy so far. Albeit, it has been for friends and family, so I figure I will do that until I can see how long it takes me to do certain things, so that when I do get into more than just side jobs, I will not short change myself.

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rewire

you will always think you can do it faster than you really can

TolmanElectric

That is sooo True!

BCSparkyGirl

exactly. this is why I don't quote a job before hand. I am just honest with them, and tell them I will do the job as quickly as possible, and they always seem to be happy with that. This way, neither of us gets screwed over.

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captkirk

I dont think you ll get rich with t and m. youll pay the bills and make a few bucks but no "homeruns". I like estimating now. At first I was really sheepish with it but now it has actually become the more enjoyable part of my work. I found that spending a little more time on the site visit can be your best shot at making good money. And for what its worth I really think that many people are more willing to take your quote more serious when you actually take covers off and poke around a bit.
Hey, you took time out to go there might as well make it worth your while.
In the beggining I used to do them really quick because I was nervous and a little unsure.
I was charging for site visits untill I got about 10 "no thanks" in a month. I quickly changed my plan and its worked out great since.

BCSparkyGirl

no I won't get rich, but I dont plan on getting rich off of my family and friends. I am taking the time now to learn how long it takes me to rifle around an attic and replace fans and whatnot, so that in the future, I know how long this will take me, how much of a pain in the arse it is to do, then charge those who are not friends and family accordingly. Right now what I am doing is building myself up through them as if I make my friends happy, they tell their friends, and so on. The real money will come soon enough.

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gptechelec

I believe estimating is an art, not an exact science, which cannot be learned out of a book. It can only be done through experience.I myself, have not done much residential estimating. Estimating residential and commercial are different. I do agree, that we do tend to be overly optimistic when we price jobs. How many of us figure added costs for junk/clutter in the attic, furniture that has to be moved etc. I once had a residntial job, where the homeowner had several dogs. Everytime, I went to the truck to get something and came back, he had to restrain/move dogs. I had to stand patiently in the garage, while he did this. Believe it or not this ate up manhours.Or how many of us had a GC, or homeowner call us and proclaim job is ready for us, only to arrive and find walls not framed, building not watertight, plans still not finalized, etc. How about the GC who "just wants electrician thers everyday". How about the homeowner who says "while your here, I need this, this and that done, and expects you to pull this additional material out of your ass. There goes another trip to the supply house.

Bottom line, too many variables in residential. As far as time frame goes, if I feel homeowner is price shopping, I do not spend much time, if at all on an estimate. I will ballpark, and tell them to call me if they are really serious.