Concrete in put?

[Scrappy]

ok i have a Kroger's owner interested in getting the concrete sidewalks cleaned in front of the store i took measurements today and it totals out to 4152 sq/ft i have read on here that .15 sq/ft is about average but after figuring figuring it up i don't feel like its enough . . .i am a part owner of the business so i have to split it with my partner fifty fifty so how i am going to quote it and i need your input.

there are two ramps that are really black from the carts that total 150 sq/ft i'm going to quote that at .30 cents a sq/ft and the rest at .25 cents a sq/ft

which would total out to $1045.60. i plan on trying to get a little more on thier side by giving them $25 of for every 1,000 sq/ft and point out i'm saving them $100 it's gonna take me i'm guessing 3 or 4 hours ....no surface cleaner .... so the total is going to be $945.60 seems a little high but i'm going to tell them i can do it ince a month for half of that after i get the first time done . i figured this will definetly hook them
also the store front is in the middle of 4 other businesses so hopefully they will want to get their sidewalks cleaned also

well let me know what you guys think
thanks and i think that there should be a section just for concrete and flat work just my opinion

 

[Chris S]

I don't do much concrete, but I don't think you have a prayer of getting that much per square foot. If you not using a surface cleaner, what are you going to use? Fan tip? Turbo nozzle? I wouldn't even attempt to do that much concrete with a wand. I'm not saying that you don't have good skills, but I can't imagine what it might look like doing it with a wand. What about chems and re-claim?

It seems from some of your posts that you are pretty new to this, and maybe don't have the equipment to do commercial concrete. I don't want to deter you from trying new things, but make sure you know what you are doing before you take this on. When jobs like this turn out like crap, it not only hurts your reputation, but other contractors as well. People use the poor results as a standard, and don't see the benefits of paying for something that looks like crap.

 

[copgib]

I agree with Chris. If you really want this job and others businesses around it, I would get a surface cleaner and also drop the square footage price down where your offer looks more attractive from the start. From my experience, there are others out there that will offer a alot lower price per sq ft to get these jobs on a monthly basis. This is the problem when you have a partner, you don't normally get that much per job because you have to split the rewards of each job. Good Luck! Hugh

 

[Scrappy]

the wand actually does a really good job, i have done several driveways it just takes a little longer. i have used and am familiar with using a surface cleaner it's just not in my budget right now i mean they are like $500. i am new to doing this stuff on my own but i have been power washing for almost three years. i'm not sure if i can get that much a sq. ft. either but i mean there are only me and another guy that power wash and are insured and licensed in Carrollton where i live. i have read alot about low ballers and i would rather be too high than too low and hurt the market (no one on here likes low ballers lol). . . RIGHT????!!...
well i also read that just because one price seems high that it may not be around here and trust me these sidewalks are bad (chewing gum, blackened from the travel of people and carts, also dirt from the displays)

 

[Scrappy]

okay i dropped the price some i'm quoting it at $ 0.19 a square foot for 4000 sq/ft of it and $0.22 for the other 152 sq/ft i also gave them $25 off for every 1,000 sq/ft so the new total is $694.88 i also droped my monthly price to $350 per cleaning hows that

now remember they didn't open this up for bids i stoped and talked to the owner AND he said to give him a quote. . . plus there is only one other guy that power washes in my area so i think i will do ok with that price i'll keep you guys posted

 

[MR ALAN]

Lack of the correct equipment to the job in a timely manner does not dictate the gouging of prices. Even at .19 a sq ft, you are way high for commercial work compared to competitive cleaners.

Good luck at getting the neighbor stores with those prices. Also remember that just because there are only 2 guys in town, does not mean that guys from other towns do not come in.

 

[jetstream1]

Good luck on that.IF you do get it Go buy a cleaner stop killing your self my back hurts thinking about it

 

[PressurePros]

There is no such thing as gouging, imo. You get as much as you humanly can for each and every job. That doesn't mean everyone will pay it but you would only have to do one fourth as much work as someone charging $.05 so go for it. Then you do the job better than everyone else out there, show up on time and complete your work in a timely manner. If you get this job, sink your profit into a surface cleaner.

 

[FCPWLLC]

There is no such thing as gouging, imo. You get as much as you humanly can for each and every job. That doesn't mean everyone will pay it but you would only have to do one fourth as much work as someone charging $.05 so go for it. Then you do the job better than everyone else out there, show up on time and complete your work in a timely manner. If you get this job, sink your profit into a surface cleaner.

Amen!!!

I could care less what another contractor is charging. We all know that an easy 90% of cleaners aren't coming to these boards or even know a thing about proper methods. Not to mention the number of them that are flying under the radar without licensing, insurance, WC, Payroll expenses etc... Why in the world would a legit contractor even entertain the thought of trying to meet the "standard" prices, when the STANDARD in our industry is so fly-by-night and unprofessional?

Everyone here will admit that thier areas are full of these types. Why try to compete on price with them? I hope Scrappy gets it at .19 and then I'll come up and show him how to do it faster and easier. Better he get the .19 than a hack get .06 while a hard worker gets nothing.

 

[Revive]

On and Off the Soapbox

Although there is more than just Michael and Ken saying it, worrying about how cheap other competitors are is not what to look for. It's more a matter of how expensive are my other competitors. Why leave money on the table. If all we were was splash and dash it would be one thing. But for those of us that consider our selves to be pros at what we do, running a legit business, we "ARE" entitled to a fair wage PLUS Profit. It's not gouging, it's running a professional business, providing an above standard service. I couldn't care less if someone is out there willing to work for minimum wage, or even close to it. I won't, nor would I expect my employees to.
I'm on the hook for a $100,000 worth of equipment, any damage my guys (or even me for that matter)cause, getting the job, making sure I have the right equipment and supplies, getting the job done in a timely manner, collecting the money, book keeping, banking, ..............

CHARGE ACCORDINGLY. PROFESIONAL PAY EQUALS PROFESIONAL RESULTS.
DON"T SELL YOURSELF SHORT>

 

[Scott Stone]

That is right, go get your $250 an hour as a newbie with a wand.

The problem is that so many want to get all of their hit off of one or two jobs, instead of building an ongoing thriving business. Figure out what you want to make, figure out what it is going to take to get there, and guage your prices from there.

For what it is worth, I am not into constant selling, and if you are into premium prices, even if you are offering premium work, you still need to be selling CONSTANTLY in order to maintain your revenue streams. I don't do the one shot deals.

Finally, lose the partner. In this type of business, partners do not work. The best way to lose a good friend is to partner with them in business.

 

[James S]

I agree with Michael, just because you've never seen them advertised or don't know they are there for that matter doesn't mean there's not some half-assers around the corner. I've dealt with them. I WILL NOT drop my prices. I have never lost a contract and have been told on the ones where people try to under-cut me. Reason being, we do quality work and we can do it better than anyone else in the area. Sure, let's say I bid a truck fleet 75.00 a truck for a fleet. I know when I bid how much chems are, my mileage to drive there, employess, as well as fuel and insurance...not to mention workers comp and taxes. I also know how long it will take my crew to do them on average due to experience. In other words, I know before-hand what my profit-per-hour will be. But, I don't get them because a lowballer comes in and bids 50.00. He washes the paint only, doesn't really even know what aluminum is or he tears stuff up and that's when he shows up. Well, remember that card you left with the truck manager, he'll be looking it up before too long. Depending on how long he waited my price might have even gotten higher due to fuel or chem costs. He lets me bring a crew there one time, and was so pleased with our work that now he won't even talk to anyone else about letting them do them. If you cut your prices, you're not cutting someone else out of work as much as you are cutting yourself out of profit. If you do a good enough job for the same people long enough, before too long, your prices aren't going to matter as much to them. They know that you do good work and you're worth every penny. Good work always speaks for itself.

 

[DAFF]

SCRAPPY
Go ahead with the large quotes. Sure you won't get them all but the ones you do get you can justiy going the extra mile for the customer. Still making a large frofit. Before you know it, people will talk and expect to pay a little more for your work. Just make sure you are professional, on time (always) if not give a call to the client even if your just a little late, most of all give 110% into every job.

Most of all invest 20% back into the company and really buy some quality equipment, stuff that the average person has never even seen. Eventually when you know your stuff try building your own out of refers, generators or anything which is over kill.

To be honest what is a $1000.00 to a large retailer. They spend that for 2-3 hrs of operation costs. Every one keep in mind, there are lots of times which the highest bidder will get the job too. Expecially when the quality of work stands behind the price. If not no one would by a Lincon Navigator, they save the $$$ and purchase the Expedition.

Good luck

DAFF

 

[Scrappy]

The last three post above more are exactly how i feel. . . the guy in town is notorious for over pricing . . .WAY OVERPRICING and the people in the town have no outlet. i figure i can come in provide them with a proffesional service and save them a little . . .while. . making above the **WHAT EVERY ONE THINKS IS GOLDEN AVERAGE*** I'M GOING TO MAKE DOUBLE WHAT YOU GUYS ARE MAKING. and thats because i can "hook" my costumers. .. i am more than happy to do a demo or show and explain my equipment to any customer that is interested, i also let them know that anyhting i can do for them is not out side of my limitations i am here for them to provide a service and they need to understand that they are number one on my list and that i'm here to treat them how they should be treated and to provide them with the service they deserve. i let them know that i may be a little high but thats because they aren't just paying for power washing they are paying for power washing, customer care, and a friendly face that will be here for them when ever they need me . . . i may loose a few to the low ballers but the ones i get i will have year in and year out and that's what is important to me.

 

[Scrappy]

i meant the last three on the first page *** lol

 

[Scrappy]

DAFF

EXACTLY MY POINT!!!!