Quote - Again! Help Please......

[The Truth]

Where do you buy then that you get material at lower than the customer can. I find that most can get at the same price as me now adays esp as the suppliers QVS, TLC etc dont offer a better price to the trade and if they do it is not much more than 5% and only on some items.

cheers

the difference in costs has shrunk in the last few years admitedly especially with small high volume items. Im still marking up 20% regardless while i'm the supplier.

 

[sparks1234]

There really isnt any need to add profit to materials if you price the labour correctly.

Thats debatable depending on how you cost the works.
Personally I add the materials up then add a percentage, for 2 reasons, the first is you cannot think of everything you need, there are always bits and pieces that come out the back of the van which have been paid for somewhere along the line and also the percentage also gives you your guarantee money, so if something fails, you have to return to replace it, the materials are replaced free of charge by the suppliers but its your time that you get nothing for. i then add on my labour charge as I see fit for the job.
Saying that others allow for that in their labour charge. Horses for courses

Where do you buy then that you get material at lower than the customer can. I find that most can get at the same price as me now adays esp as the suppliers QVS, TLC etc dont offer a better price to the trade and if they do it is not much more than 5% and only on some items.

cheers

I would still say I get materials quite a lot cheaper than the general public can if you sort the wholesaler out properly.
We deal with 3 wholesalers and apart from the general run of the mill stuff I will ask them for their best price on whatever it is and they only get one chance, its pointless to get them undercutting each other, then best price wins, there are bargains to be had

 

[Festerfly]

I thought the same about the customer being able to get the materials at pretty much the same cost. I am thinking thatadding a small percentage is worthwhile for guarantee purposes etc. But as long as it's a realistic amount not stupidly large profits etc.

Pricing labour is now my next obstacle. I have picked a daily rate. And am learning obviously to estimate my time and try andcover the bases that way but am still stuck trying to gauge an hourly rate and individual works prices etc.

 

[MikeCDF]

On costing for a job I would always add a margin to materials. You need to cover all your hidden expenses like:
Van - Purchase of, insurance, service, tyres, diesel
Your admin time / computer / telephone etc
Insurance costs - liability / sickness etc
Membership fees - IET / NICEIC etc

On your hourly rate while you need to be competitive make sure you can make a living. Also if your job needs certifying under Part P etc remember this needs a competent person so the consumer cannot do this. And if you're not qualified then you need to pay someone to check, and this might mean you having to come back for remedial work!

Personally I charge about £35 hour and no less than £30 and add a minimum of 25% to materials, though if I can manage it I increase my margins.

If you are not sure what your costs are ask the person who does your year end books

That's my advice anyway. Off for a cuppa now. Good Luck

 

[Festerfly]

***current status update!***

Job started well, had to change the routing of the cooker feed, Customer changed her mind on a couple oflittle items and then decided to add some big jobs to the list (install downlighters, change 1 light fitting to an independant feed & swithc etc) which is no problem as i am more then happy to do the work as it means a bit more cash but the downside was it pushed my time estimatoin out of the window with regards to other jobs.. not a big deal i guess as my next customer was more then happy to be delayed by a day or so.

Quite impresesd at it all as this is my first big job and found the exisiting wiring in the house to be a nightmare (rewired at least 3 times along with a partial rewire once the extension was done.. ) still a load or VIR cable upthere which i am removing as i come accross it and its in the way etc.

Customer is pleased with all the work so far and thigns look good for future works/referrals etc.

 

[calv68]

and dont forget to do your obvious tests before carrying out the work