To quote the late Yogi Berra, 'it ain't over till it's over
As for more money? He may be a contractor who can do those #s.
If you are going to look at partial construction or renovations, you need to solidify what #s YOU can do it for.
In construction guys often look at jobs in Linear Feet, Square Feet or unit of measure. Siding and roofs are usually done by squares, 1 square= 100 ft sq. Floor coverings are sq ft, carpet in yards etc..
It helps knowing this stuff when talking to contractors. And helps checking their work. If they charge by the sqft and their price per foot is lower, make sure their total sqft = your #s.
Some sheet rockers charge by the sq ft of the SR bought to do the work. So your paying for the waste as well.
Not that this is right or wrong, but needed to be on same page.
A good plan on these types of bids are;
What does this include?
What doesn't this include?
What are your rates for extra work?
Normal hourly rate is $ /man hour or per man day.
What is your OT rate?
Best to ok extra work rates BEFORE your begin.
Then when you find their day rates, ask how long to finish. This gives you their labor part of the job
$ per day, $ per man hrs should add up to what he expects to spend in labor on a job.
Then if you know the cost of materials you should be close to his bid.
Don't forget job cost usually are material + 10% overhead + 10% material profit is normal
Then add the labor total and maybe 10%-30% profit. If #s don't make sense, ASK WHY?
To minimize fluff or incidental mark ups, ask directly, What are you concerned will dirve up your costs?
Often contractors fluff because they have not worked with you before, afraid the job won't be ready for them, other trades undoing ect… when you can address his concerns, they go along way. The quicker he can get in and out, the more $ he will make on the job.
A lot of General contracting is juggling trades and understanding the issues while seeing the big picture.
If you want more info on this, hit me up directly
