Giving an Estimate

[thom]

let us know if you get the job.

[GrahamLandscaping]

He said he will call sometime today and let me know. I'll post if I get the job or not once I find out. Thanks again for the help

[nepatsfan]

Originally Posted by GrahamLandscaping

He said he will call sometime today and let me know. I'll post if I get the job or not once I find out. Thanks again for the help

How much was your proposal?

[GrahamLandscaping]

I told him I would do it for $331.00

[PerfectEarth]

Solo, 4 yards of mulch, and all those extras......at 35.00/hr, estimated 3 hours. oops.

Not good at all. Especially at such a high mulch cost (with minimal mark-up)...Not sure of your work quality, but you underpriced big time.

[nepatsfan]

Originally Posted by GrahamLandscaping

I told him I would do it for $331.00

He is thinking about it?!?! You are going to work for next to nothing on this job.

[Patriot Services]

Side note. Always cut a deep edge when doing bed rehabs. Makes all the difference between a pro and a hack that lays mulch over the grass.
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[GrahamLandscaping]

Originally Posted by PerfectEarth

Solo, 4 yards of mulch, and all those extras......at 35.00/hr, estimated 3 hours. oops.

Not good at all. Especially at such a high mulch cost (with minimal mark-up)...Not sure of your work quality, but you underpriced big time.

PerfectEarth, how would you have marked up the mulch? Im new at this so im pretty much just guessing at how long these jobs will take me. judging by what you guys are telling me it will take much longer than 3 hours...i guess i just need to figure out how long things will take me and just base estimates off of that in the future. Also, should I have charged more per hour of work since there are a lot of weeds to pull and preping the beds will take a decent amount of work?

[Patriot Services]

Originally Posted by GrahamLandscaping

PerfectEarth, how would you have marked up the mulch? Im new at this so im pretty much just guessing at how long these jobs will take me. judging by what you guys are telling me it will take much longer than 3 hours...i guess i just need to figure out how long things will take me and just base estimates off of that in the future. Also, should I have charged more per hour of work since there are a lot of weeds to pull and preping the beds will take a decent amount of work?

Yes, you always charge for extra work. Estimating is the hardest skill to learn. Even seasoned guys will tell it can be anguishing at times. You want the job but you don't want to give the store away. You want the customer to get a sense of value and want to retain your services. All the while you want to make money. The customer sitting on his decision only adds to the fun.
Posted via Mobile Device

[PerfectEarth]

Originally Posted by Patriot Services

Yes, you always charge for extra work. Estimating is the hardest skill to learn. Even seasoned guys will tell it can be anguishing at times.Posted via Mobile Device

Agree! I do hate estimating... still learning with every one but getting better.

BUT, with that said, 35 per hour is dirt cheap for running a job- or just plain crazy- if you are running a legit business with the appropriate equipment/tools, paying tax, insurance, fuel, maintenance, all other overhead items, etc etc etc... So it seems like you are just picking a labor rate outta the blue, or tell me if I'm wrong.

As for the mulch, you might have to find a spot to get it cheaper. And bed prep prior to mulch can take considerable time if you do it right. Spreading the mulch is the easy part.

I couldn't give you an exact labor price on you job because I have no idea exactly what it entails. 4 yards of brown hardwood bulk mulch would run my customer about 145.