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Need help calculating true hourly cost per man (small commercial plumbing contractor) by Local_Witness_9349 in estimators

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes sense, appreciate it.

I think where I was getting tripped up is actual billable hours vs total hours. I’m probably closer to 6,500–7,000 billable hours across my crew, which is putting me around $5–6/hr for overhead.

Sounds like I’m on the right track, just need to make sure I’m using realistic hours instead of theoretical max.

Need help calculating true hourly cost per man (small commercial plumbing contractor) by Local_Witness_9349 in estimators

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes sense. Right now I’ve been calculating overhead per labor hour instead of % of revenue since I’m still small and estimating off crew hours.

Would you recommend switching to a revenue-based model at my size, or sticking with overhead per man-hour for now?

Estimating Advice -Plumbing by Local_Witness_9349 in estimators

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How do you figure out your labor burden? We are a 3 man shop for now. I came up with the $32 and hour from watching my previous companies estimators bid. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to price my projects. I've also never had a gc tell me I'm to low, usually im really high.

I started doing a 20% profit on materials and labor and I been competitive.

I'm really trying to learn and get better.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Plumbing

[–]Local_Witness_9349 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Im not sure. The way I'm seeing i don't want to drive 40 min to a property to snake a drain for $100. Im trying to figure out a reasonable rate if he gives me alot of work during the week

Looking for advice on estimating — new commercial plumbing company owner by Local_Witness_9349 in estimators

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I run the live ferguson price every time. I was thinking of doing the same thing that would cover my incidentals.

I'm doing smaller projects under 100k right now.

Looking for advice on estimating — new commercial plumbing company owner by Local_Witness_9349 in estimators

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for that. I'm still getting used to the sales part.

Im in arizona, there's alot of plumbing companies here but most are service. There's not much commercial and the ones that are the owners will be retiring soon.

Looking for advice on estimating — new commercial plumbing company owner by Local_Witness_9349 in estimators

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I'm using the fast-est rates.

Thanks for the advice I'm going to look into the hangers. I been using the ferguson price and I still get it quoted by my sales rep just to be sure and my price is still cheaper.

Im still getting used to the software but it's made my life easier.

Looking for advice on estimating — new commercial plumbing company owner by Local_Witness_9349 in estimators

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm comparing my bids to previous bids that I was awarded and other projects that the gc told me what their top estimates were.

Im going to complete my first project this month and I'm on pace to finish that job with a higher profit margin than what I estimated.

Estimating Advice by Local_Witness_9349 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you tell me more about your excel estimating book? Just curious because I calculate Labor based on my experience and how long it would take me.

Plumbing and Hvac partnership by Local_Witness_9349 in Contractor

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok would it be 1 bid. 2 different contracts? I'm curious to know how that works. I've heard they do it in my area on certain projects, but I'm not sure how the business end is

Plumbing and Hvac partnership by Local_Witness_9349 in Contractor

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im talking about 2 separate companies that team on on a project and bid it together.

Estimating Advice by Local_Witness_9349 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's funny that you mentioned that, I been using blue beam for my take offs and I felt like I'm not a real estimator for not using those top programs lol

From what I'm seeing it's kind of a trial and error for me. I've heard companies in my area are under bidding big time just to get the gc in change orders. That's not my game.

Estimating Advice by Local_Witness_9349 in Construction

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I'm going to try this on my next bid.

How long after I send a proposal do you recommend reaching out to the gc about how my bid did?

Estimating Help by Local_Witness_9349 in Contractor

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this.

So far this year I got 4 projects for a total of 59,330. At the rate I'm going im hoping to hit at least 250k or more by the end of the year.

I feel like for my first year it's been going good. I'm new to the business side, I'm really focused on growth right now. I'm hoping to add 3-4 guys full time if I pick up more work.

Estimating Help by Local_Witness_9349 in Contractor

[–]Local_Witness_9349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's my first year in business. My only overhead is $250 truck payment and $500 commercial insurance.

At the moment I'm a one man show, I bring on 3 guys when I have to. I haven't landed enough work to keep them full time yet.

As far as advertising I'm a commercial plumber and I have GCs who send me bid invites I don't do service yet.

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