I got the job!!!

[Lawnster]

I posted a few weeks ago about a big construction company putting up 250 homes over the next 5 years and they needed the yards sodded. I got the job after bidding this way: I get sod for .15/sf(500/sf per pallet) from a local sod farm(Jade Run). Delivery is $50 plus $7 pallet deposit. The smallest yard after the house is built is 7000/sf. I bid the job at $.52/sf plus $100/hr for prep work. I already own skid steer with a harley rake and fork attachment. I also have a couple helpers I pay 9.00/hr. This was the first sodding job I bid since starting my business, does it look like I came out on top?

Thanks
Atlantic Lawn & Landscape

[TurfdudeNCSU]

Sound like a good job. Congrats on getting it!

[NickN]

You came out like a bandit.7000 sq ft/500 sq ft is what 14 pallets for .52 per sq ft?That comes in a bit over $3500 for a days work.$9 per hour x 2,plus expenses and you'll still come in way ahead of the curve.250 homes/60 months= a bit over 40 homes per year at a minimum of $140K per year gross.Not bad at all.
Now,with that said,in all sincerity I hope you get paid from the construction firm and you get paid at a decent time.Some construction companies love to string their subs along for as long as they can.Good luck!

[YardPro]

ditto on the congratulations.....

[mbella]

Congratulations. Have you ever worked for this builder, or any builder?

[MarcSmith]

Lawnster...Where in Milford are you doing the Work? I grew up in Woodshaven out by the high school...

[Dixie Rob]

I partially own a family owned insulation company that has been in business since 1989. I know a little bit about construction/contractors that I'd like to share as far as getting paid on time and whatnot.

Most residential contractors like to wait until the house closes to pay their subs. I know you will be performing one of the final steps so it shouldn't be that big of a deal. It's a big deal for me because the insulation rough in usually occurs in the beginning stages of construction.

Most commercial contractors that build appartments for instance pay one time per month, but keep a 10-20% retainage for 1-2 years after the job is paid for. A lot of people don't have the capitol in hand to be able to afford not having that 20% for such an extended time, so these jobs in essence are somewhat easy to get if you can afford it.

Check with the contactor and make sure you just send him invoices. He could do the same as a commercial builder and only allow payments/write checks once a month. Then again, he could have a purchase order system, where he sends you all his purchase orders for your particual service, and he calls the lot # into you, and you send him that purchase order. Note on purchase orders: You will ONLY get paid for what is on the purchase order, and the purchase orders are made before you start doing work, and will not change is the circumstance changes. So, if he adds 500 sq ft, and you have a P.O. for 7000 sq ft, you're getting paid for the 7000 sq ft. This also is something some subs are willing to take the gamble on, to have the job security of landing a big deal.

I hope this helps your understanding of contactors/construction. If ya have any questions, just ask :)

[kootoomootoo]

Can afford the bill for 90 days of sod, labor and whatever before you get paid.

[befnme]

excellent......good luck :waving:

[sgallaher]

Great landing that job. I'm just north of you, what builder is it?

[sgallaher]

One of the best builders that I've done work for before was Toll Brothers. They paid out bills every two weeks. You give them a bill by the friday due date and you have a check in 6 business days, the following Monday. It was great.

[kirk brown]

congrats i`m sure you will learn a ton from it to!:drinkup:

[Lawnster]

You came out like a bandit.7000 sq ft/500 sq ft is what 14 pallets for .52 per sq ft?That comes in a bit over $3500 for a days work.$9 per hour x 2,plus expenses and you'll still come in way ahead of the curve.250 homes/60 months= a bit over 40 homes per year at a minimum of $140K per year gross.Not bad at all.
Now,with that said,in all sincerity I hope you get paid from the construction firm and you get paid at a decent time.Some construction companies love to string their subs along for as long as they can.Good luck!

Money is no problem with this builder, he pays all bills within 15 days of receipt. I have had that problem with other builders in the past.

[Lawnster]

The job is in Bethany Beach

[Lawnster]

Toll Brothers builds a ton of homes in this area, do you deal with them over here on the Delmarva Peninsula?

[paponte]

Congrats on the job! Just remember to cross all your T's and dot all your I's on your contract. Also make sure you have Work change orders on hand at the job for "extras" they want while you are there. Remeber that verbals don't mean sh*t in court. I am still in collection with a contractor over that. :)

[Dirty Water]

Is this bid binding over the next 5 years? Your profit margin may decrease if the price of sod goes up.

[zim bob the landscaper]

congrats man your gonna make alot of money good luck!!!

[Randy Scott]

Is this bid binding over the next 5 years? Your profit margin may decrease if the price of sod goes up.


That would be my concern as well. Did you just bid this work at the same price for the next five years? Certainly everything you encounter between now and then is going to go up. Insurance, fuel, labor, equipment repairs, etc..
I would just make sure that aspect of the deal is covered, in writing.

[AintNoFun]

toll brothers def. pays well. we have done some minor work for them in the past, but the prices that they pay at here in NJ are veryyy veryyy low profit.. congrats on the job...



One of the best builders that I've done work for before was Toll Brothers. They paid out bills every two weeks. You give them a bill by the friday due date and you have a check in 6 business days, the following Monday. It was great.

[sgallaher]

Toll Brothers builds a ton of homes in this area, do you deal with them over here on the Delmarva Peninsula?


No, primarily in northern Delaware.