My First Store Front Estimate

Jc450

New member
Hey I got a call from the DG in town asking for a quote on their store front and sidewalk. I haven't priced any commercial buildings yet so I was thinking of pricing it just like I do houses. It is a 75' building with 8' of sidewalk in front. I was planning to charge $1.50 per linear foot for the building and $.04 a Sq Ft for the sidewalk, coming out to $136.50. It is about a 20' tall building with overhang over the whole 8' sidewalk so about 30' of surface to clean from too to bottom. I'm always afraid my prices are too high but I don't want to low ball either. What do you guys think? To high? Close? I usually charge $.60-$.85 a linear foot for single story houses, which has been profitable so far.
 
too cheap
 
For that price, No way!...may as well go pro bono...
Are you using any chems/gas for machines/time/equipment. Everyone has different costs associated with overhead, but as Gene said, way too cheap. Is this a recurring cleaning contract or a 1 and done?
 
Ok good, I'd rather be too cheap the first time. It's a one time deal for now but I'm hoping they will give me the other stores she manages. I estimated that if I ran my machine for 2 hours (I don't see it taking longer than an hour even with my little experience) I would have around $20 in fuel and chemicals. So even if it is too cheap atleast I will be making money and will know better next time. It's all about learning I guess. If they hire me I'm going to try and sell them on routine cleanings for all of their stores. Since I already gave the quote I will honor it but nice to know I can make more $$!
 
When you quote more you have to include VALUE. Why should he pay YOU more than the next guy? What makes your process different and special?

Take plenty of before pictures too! You'll need those to add to your "resume".
 
You only charge $.04 a square foot for residential concrete cleanings???
No offense, but I'd be outta business if I charged so little
 
You only charge $.04 a square foot for residential concrete cleanings???
No offense, but I'd be outta business if I charged so little

I second this. I don't know with ANY degree of certainty what you're market will allow, but I'm going to say that you could raise those rates and still be the low or lower bid with no problem.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
No offense taken. Advice and constructive criticism are what I joined this website for. I haven't really done any residential flatwork, just houses and wooden decks. I was thinking $.04-$.08 a Sq ft. for commercial, but I haven't had a chance to test them really. All of my prices are a work in progress, these are just numbers I've put together based on what I've read online, and my costs and time. Had it been only flatwork, I would have charged more per Sq Ft. I'm sure I'll adjust my prices a lot as soon as I get some jobs done, but it's nice to have help in not ripping myself off in the mean time. I've really been shooting for at least $50 an hour profit on buildings and flatwork. It's good to know that's too low.
 
I know it would never happen, but I would love to have a discussion with the veterans here about what there rates are in their markets. I'm MUCH higher than this, which I originally thought was the industry average, but now I'm wondering if I'm too high and costing me jobs.
 
I know it would never happen, but I would love to have a discussion with the veterans here about what there rates are in their markets. I'm MUCH higher than this, which I originally thought was the industry average, but now I'm wondering if I'm too high and costing me jobs.

my number is on ad
 
I don't show up for anything less then $200, don't matter if you are my best customer or my worst. You are starting so to get some experience and get your name out sometimes you have to go a little lower then the experienced competition.

Don't forget insurance, registration costs, cell phone, maintenance costs on equipment and vehicles, and of course the time to do this all. Your hourly rate might seem high, but there is a lot of small costs that add up.
 
Charge what you feel is best. But for example purposes, Our business model requires at least $125/HR per two man crew ($150 per 3 man crew) and $200 per night hour. And thats minimums.... Frequently we find ourselves at $250/hour for night work and 200/hr for daytime commercial stuff.
 
Back
Top