Help with estimating

[Lionscourt]

Having recently started my own business after many years in the industry, I’m getting my first real taste of trying to estimate prices for my work. I want to be as fair as possible – I’m not out to squeeze as much money as possible out of every job. I genuinely want to give the customer good value for their money. At the same time I obviously don’t want to cheat myself either. Adding up all the materials is pretty straight forward; it’s figuring out the labour that is the difficult part.

So I have a couple of questions for those of you with more experience at this: One, any general advice you might have concerning how to go about making accurate estimates.

Secondly, I’ve been asked to price a job and would like your opinions as to what you think is a fair amount. All the work is on the ground floor of a small ~100 year old terrace house – I should be able to lift the downstairs floor boards to run cables, but there will be a fair amount of chasing walls as well. So here is what’s being done:

Install new CU
Main bonding to gas and water
New ring main with 8 T/S/O, 1 S/S/O spur
New cooker circuit
Run data cable from existing phone jack to new point
Replace 2 S/S/O next to one another with a single T/S/O
Install outside security light
Certification covering the entire house

If materials come to about £400, what is a reasonable amount for the labour and certification?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[telectrix]

i'd estimate that at 3 days (as near as can be without seeing the job), so if you want £150 per day, that's £450 + say £100 for unforseen snags. and don't forget to put a mark up on the materials.

 

[cjp1]

I agree with telectrix, you need to put a mark up on your materials to reflect the time spent planning and buying materials and fuel costs etc and how ever many days you think the job will take charged at your day rate and then a bit extra for any balls ups.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

You may find this free estimating software and maintained database of all the major manufacturers useful mate.
Free Electrical Estimating Software

 

[glasgowbiker42]

been estimating twenty five years on and off and the easiest way to learn is to work for yourself! you'll learn very quickly when you rob yerself a couple of times!
Also estimating programs can be usefull but are no excuse for experience!
the other comments seem just about spot on.

 

[Lionscourt]

Thank you everyone for your responses, they are all helpful. I think you're right glasgowbiker42 that it will get easier as I get more experience doing it. In the meantime I'll have a look at the estimating software - thanks for posting that link MarkieSparkie!

 

[Lucas]

Do it per point. CU change inc bonding is £400
10 socket point's is £500
Outside light is £100 ( 2 point's, switch + fitting)
Cooker circuit is £150 (Isolation, cooker connection plate and connecting the oven)

Total is £1150. That include's material, labour, bits and bobs out of the van, petrol and a bit of profit for the company.