Methods for pricing domestic new build

[jkelectrical]

Hi,
I'm fairly recently (about a year) self employed, and I have been asked to give a estimate for a 3 storey new build. Having read other information online regarding pricing it seems pricing per point or per sq metre seem the way to go. Just wondering what peoples prefer ways are as currently I am getting nowhere quickly.
Thank you in advance

 

[DefyG]

Not convinced per sq m works for electrics unless flooring, tiling, plastering, painting etc

 

[Strima]

Has the architect provided diagrams showing accessory positions etc? Any requirement for data/TV points, EVCP, PV etc?

For a one off build I'd probably sit down for a day and design the full installation from the blueprints.

 

[buzzlightyear]

has old bruise you to say more point more prizes.
get drawing work out the cost and extras has well .
if you going to work for builder and extra cost on top of that
plus one nail gun and nice pair of boots .

 

[Dustydazzler]

A 'one off' new build you say, first things first you will need the exact spec for what the client wants.
This you can then use to give your 'price' based upon number of points.
Make sure your 'price' clearly lists EXACTLY what they are paying for and what you have AGREED to install.
Anything above and beyond this is an EXTRA and is CHARGABLE

 

[BiddeldyBwah]

A 'one off' new build you say, first things first you will need the exact spec for what the client wants.
This you can then use to give your 'price' based upon number of points.
Make sure your 'price' clearly lists EXACTLY what they are paying for and what you have AGREED to install.
Anything above and beyond this is an EXTRA and is CHARGABLE

All this.

I would personally price as expected days + day rate (which should be inclusive of outgoings) + contingency days. My day rate would be somewhere in the region of £300 and includes all my outgoings and profit for the actual business as opposed to just wages.

The most important part of Dusty's post is the last part - you ONLY do what you charged for and agreed. Everything else, no matter how small, is a billable extra.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Is that a four, six or eight hour day? ?

 

[BiddeldyBwah]

Is that a four, six or eight hour day? ?

I've never priced by the hour, always by 'I want £X per day, i think this job will take me X days.' Always worked out well for me, never lost money on a job.

 

[Mike Johnson]

You have miss interpreted my question, you want £X per day, but how long is your day?

 

[Dustydazzler]

Site new build was typically 7-8 hour days , but remember to knock off at 2 on a Friday

 

[LukeD]

Hi,
I'm fairly recently (about a year) self employed, and I have been asked to give a estimate for a 3 storey new build. Having read other information online regarding pricing it seems pricing per point or per sq metre seem the way to go. Just wondering what peoples prefer ways are as currently I am getting nowhere quickly.
Thank you in advance

Factor in if you are also supplying juice for the trades to start work . Site lighting . What access you will have . what other trades will be in your way etc etc . Many things to think about other than the cables and sockets !

 

[Dustydazzler]

Factor in if you are also supplying juice for the trades to start work . Site lighting . What access you will have . what other trades will be in your way etc etc . Many things to think about other than the cables and sockets !

This ^

it is never as straight forward as just pulling in some wires , you are always waiting on others to put up some stud or waiting for wet pants to get out your way or waiting for plaster to dry before you can finish a room etc

this is why you should have 2 jobs of the go at once so you can bounce back and forth between them thus avoiding too much wasted down time

 

[LukeD]

This ^

it is never as straight forward as just pulling in some wires , you are always waiting on others to put up some stud or waiting for wet pants to get out your way or waiting for plaster to dry before you can finish a room etc

this is why you should have 2 jobs of the go at once so you can bounce back and forth between them thus avoiding too much wasted down time

Now this is the issue for me ..Ive never ever doubled up on work .You get caught on one and the client expects you on the other ! I know its all madness .But I have always worked this way

 

[HappyHippyDad]

This ^

it is never as straight forward as just pulling in some wires , you are always waiting on others to put up some stud or waiting for wet pants to get out your way or waiting for plaster to dry before you can finish a room etc

this is why you should have 2 jobs of the go at once so you can bounce back and forth between them thus avoiding too much wasted down time

Now this is the issue for me ..Ive never ever doubled up on work .You get caught on one and the client expects you on the other ! I know its all madness .But I have always worked this way

I agree with you both, but with a slight difference. I never have 2 large jobs on the go at the same time due to reasons Luke said. However, I always have smaller jobs that I can slot into the days when I'm not needed on the big job.

 

[LukeD]

I agree with you both, but with a slight difference. I never have 2 large jobs on the go at the same time due to reasons Luke said. However, I always have smaller jobs that I can slot into the days when I'm not needed on the big job.

True..I always have a few little jobs for people that are happy to wait and they know somehow they will be done .So if the weather turns or something happens .I can zoom to the smaller job and get them done.I always trust them so get any fittings/materials and hang on to them

 

[BiddeldyBwah]

You have miss interpreted my question, you want £X per day, but how long is your day?

However long i want to work for, i have never had set hours. If the task that day warrants an early start then i start early, if it warrants an early finish then i finish early, if i decide i want to work my dinner then i work my dinner.

 

[stidge]

I try to work out how many days at £x per day plus materials ( inc 10% min) plus a contingency for ---- days or ---- customers changing their mind ( plus 2 x days !!! Then I take that figure and compare it to a price per point ! See which one Is higher and go for that one !!! Good luck mate

 

[Dustydazzler]

Out of curiosity how do wet pants price a new build or string of new builds ? Price per rad , price per tap etc etc ?

Plastering is easy pricing by SqMtr , Tiling again easy pricing by SqMtr