Contractors's Cost And Estimates
Could someone tell me how contractors typically price a job. Say a typical cosmetic job, carpet, paint, kitchen cabinets, some tile, windows, etc... What is the preferred way that best suits the owner? Any advice would be appreciated.
Can you be a bit more specific? What exactly are you trying to find out, how they come up with a price, or how they present the numbers, meaning line item or just a lump sum for the job?
The simplest answer is that they price a job to make a profit which means covering materials, labor, insurance, phone bills, office expenses ect...[ Edited by The-Rehabinator on Date 11/09/2004 ]
I may be supplying the materials and would only need labor. Is it better to get a job quote or an hourly quote?
I prefer job quote. Supplying the materials can often net you nothing. A contractor is going to get his profit, some of it is usually made in the materials so if you are supplying them, the profit will most likely get padded in the labor.
> Is it better to get
> a job quote or an hourly quote?
It's better to get a GOOD quote. That means knowing exactly what you want the contractor to bid, then getting several contractors to bid it. Then you can compare them for your best deal.
You'll seldom find a contractor who will quote you an hourly rate. And if they do it's more likely a cost-plus type deal where the figure you'll get will be much greater than you are probably expecting (all overhead costs will be factored in, plus profit percentage, etc).
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