Commercial Plowing, Few questions

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

I was asked to bid on snow removal at two commercial properties I already service. They want a time and materials bid which I never did. So I just give them a per hour figure for Truck Plowing, Lot Salting, Shovel Labor, Walk De-icer? Anything I'm missing? I should charge for every hundred pounds of salt/sand? And again for the time it takes to apply, right?


They do not want it removed off site. Any one want to chime in with some rates and bid tips. I included a picture of one of the complexes. Also should I have second rate for more then one truck or double the rate?

[xtreem3d]

http://www.plowsite.com/

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

I posted there too. I always get more responses here though. Since most landscapers remove snow it seems logical.

[xtreem3d]

sorry just trying to help out,..... i hate those hourly bid prices because our price would be much higher than others and they may not understand how fast we can move snow with our type of equipment (pushers)
Steve

[SDLandscapes VT]

that site is going to be a PITA w/o heavy equipment......

[Snyder's Lawn Inc]

If they dont like your hr price give them a bid set price 1-3'' $000 Base price then a inch price over 3''
On your salt you have slide in Spreader or tail gate


I have few hr rate jobs
With me I dont drag out the clock no time do that
Whats you truck rate on a hr How big is your blade

[Snyder's Lawn Inc]

From pic looks like there no good place pile snow around the back buildings Looks like have push it and pile out side the fence Looks like lot snow moving hope you have a pusher
Rest of it looks real easy to push

[nepatsfan]

Your hourly rate is going to be based on your equipment and your overhead. As far as the sand/salt I would give them a price per yard spread, which is totally dependant on what you are using for a mix or straight salt. I would do the same for the sidewalk de-icer, charge by the bag spread. I would make sure you have minimum charges also. You don't want to go there for a 2 inch storm and make nothing.

One tip I can give you based on a couple bad experiences. Make sure the salt is based on your discretion and not on call.(I mean if they call and say it's icy fine, but make sure you can apply it whenever you feel it is necessary)

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Im use to push prices by depth. That makes it easy for me and no dispute about how long your there.The bid wasnt real specific with what rates to include. I'm going to throw in other rates for equipment that might be used. I would have to put a 3-4 hour minimum cost for anything that I have to rent.

I have a 8' blade with a tailgate spreader and a 6' 1/2 blade. A couple 2 stage blowers and a 4 wheeler with a 4' blade.

[nepatsfan]

How many square feet is the parking lot? It would seem to me that based upon that picture you do not have the equipment necessary to do the job....what would you be renting? Most places that rent equipment rent them seasonally so you would probably have to have another contractor come in. Most of them that have equipment will be using it during storms. Be careful what you bite off. even if you got by with the plow trucks....a tailgate spreader there would be an absolute nightmare. You would have to fill it up like a hundred times.