Tough One To Price

[paul b b]

Well if it doesn't get approved or takes too long, I'll send it via email to those that are interested.

please

[email protected]

many thanks

 

[Bez]

Well if it doesn't get approved or takes too long, I'll send it via email to those that are interested.

Me too please.

I did say pleasePray

see below for e-mail address

 

[vad25]

Well if it doesn't get approved or takes too long, I'll send it via email to those that are interested.

one for me too,please

[email protected]

 

[Voltimax]

Not sending any yet, we'll give the admins time to approve or not approve it. Be patient.....

 

[musicspark]

Not sending any yet, we'll give the admins time to approve or not approve it. Be patient.....

ADMINS!,,,,,,WAKE UP please!

 

[Bez]

Any News:z:z:z:z

 

[musicspark]

PrayPrayPray

 

[martinxxxxxx]

Pricing only, yes. Remember it isn't written in stone, just a guideline that makes estimating quicker. It's served me well in the 8 years I've been in business. If it's a rewire you up the time per point depending on the circumstances i.e is the property empty or occupied, you get my drift.As to when people can try the spreadsheet I made, well you'll have to ask admin or the moderators, I actually uploaded it Sunday morning as yet it's still awaiting approval.

A little bit more info on it. You have an excel workbook comprising of 5 separate worksheets. They are:

1, Summary sheet, where you enter customer name, address, phone number, estimate ref number, hourly rate, profit rate etc. It also tallies total hours, days, weeks, total materials cost, total profit etc

2, The work schedule. You just type it as you would in word:

Lounge

4 x twin sockets

2 x light switch

1 x TV socket

etc

it allows you to input times per point which when you print the work schedule remain hidden.

3, Materials list

4, Estimate letter. This is pre-written and refers to the work schedule It automatically fills itself in when you enter details on the summary sheet and likewise figures are calculated.

5, Contract (should you wish to use one)

Brill but I can't see the contract tab.

 

[Voltimax]

Brill but I can't see the contract tab.

That's because I removed it. It was an old contract that I got from somewhere but it had far too much rubbish in it. To be fair it doesn't need it, I'm sure most of us have one and there's one in the downloads section. Main thing is that the spreadsheet completes the actual estimate.

 

[Voltimax]

Just had an email sent to me from someone that is VAT registered and they pointed out they need to show VAT on the whole estimate, so I have made some adjustments, I'll upload this version for those that are VAT registered.

 

[martinxxxxxx]

Will you give the whole sheet a once over at the same time. I found on mine that some of the fields did not autofill. Maybe it is my excel set up. But if you could confirm it is fully working, I won't be chasing shadows.

It looks great though. Thanks

Martin

 

[Voltimax]

Martin give me details of what didn't auto fill and I'll check itI will be starting a thread to discuss such things elsewhere later. Not saying it's his fault, but Admin did tamper with it before he approved it, so I'm not sure if formulas got wiped, my version here seems to be working fine.

 

[martinxxxxxx]

Hi Voltimax

I have just done a quote using it and using the formula of 1 hour per point and and 20 hours per c/u and the quote came out at 30K for 5 cottages. Normally I would guess say 3K per cottage = 15k. I tried the example using 25 per hour.

This is just the labour price.

Do you think that the 1 hour per point is a little over the top. Just your opinion is what I am seeking. I notice on a FCU you have 1.5, why is that?

Thanks

Martin

 

[Zeespark]

Extra terminating/dressing of cables etc Martin.

AndyGuinness

 

[martinxxxxxx]

Are you referring to the FCUs being 1.5 hours

Do you think this formula is sound?

1 hour per point, I feel it is but I am not sure

Martin

 

[Zeespark]

for first and second fix, an hour sounds about right, depending on layout conditions.

AndyGuinness

 

[Voltimax]

Martin

First off there is no magic formula, I wish there were

1.5 hours for an FCU? That was just a made up figure for the example. The example was just for people to see how to use it, you have to enter your own time scales.

Is 1 hour per point over the top? Well that's down to individuals interpretation and experience, but lets see what the Spons guide recommends:

Double socket

8 x 2.5mm 6242Y = 0.464

2mtrs 25mm oval conduit = 0.14

1 x back box and twin socket = 0.448

1 x 2mtr chase = 1.2

1 x box aperture = 0.858

Total time = 3.11 hours

Still think my 1 hour per point looks OTT?

If we take away those OTT chasing times we end up with 1.052 which is a little closer to my guess.

One thing I should point out is how these forums are filled with electricians claiming they're not making much money for their efforts. Why do you think that is? If we all allowed a bit more on our times and took into account all the things that can and do go wrong we'd all be much happier. Such things as allowing for time to get to the job, parking (you may have to park at a distance from your place of work), adjustable lugs that disappear from back boxes after the plasterers have been in, faulty accessories, the list is endless and although we can't account for all these things provisions should be made.

Too many sparks here claiming to be fast and thorough, in my experience the two do not go hand in hand.

 

[batty]

MartinFirst off there is no magic formula, I wish there were

1.5 hours for an FCU? That was just a made up figure for the example. The example was just for people to see how to use it, you have to enter your own time scales.

Is 1 hour per point over the top? Well that's down to individuals interpretation and experience, but lets see what the Spons guide recommends:

Double socket

8 x 2.5mm 6242Y = 0.464

2mtrs 25mm oval conduit = 0.14

1 x back box and twin socket = 0.448

1 x 2mtr chase = 1.2

1 x box aperture = 0.858

Total time = 3.11 hours

Still think my 1 hour per point looks OTT?

If we take away those OTT chasing times we end up with 1.052 which is a little closer to my guess.

One thing I should point out is how these forums are filled with electricians claiming they're not making much money for their efforts. Why do you think that is? If we all allowed a bit more on our times and took into account all the things that can and do go wrong we'd all be much happier. Such things as allowing for time to get to the job, parking (you may have to park at a distance from your place of work), adjustable lugs that disappear from back boxes after the plasterers have been in, faulty accessories, the list is endless and although we can't account for all these things provisions should be made.

Too many sparks here claiming to be fast and thorough, in my experience the two do not go hand in hand.

Trouble is there are a lot pricing jobs in present time really low just to get the work so if you want to work you have got to be competitive.

 

[Voltimax]

Yes because everyone undercuts each other. People don't seem to realize that if everyone undercuts by silly amounts the public will always expect it. Common sense really. Personally I haven't felt the recession at all.

 

[martinxxxxxx]

Hi

I am very grateful for you sheet and you kind advice. It really help me price up a job recently.

I am not sure that I have priced it correctly I used your timings BUT, because when I work there the walls will be back to brick (ie no chasing required) and that the floors/ceilings will be missing I reduce them by 0.8.

I hope I get the job, and will see if the timings are right.

I think the main problem is that we are all pricing each other out of work.

This job went out to 6 electricians, so a bit of a dutch auction.

I don't think it is over the top for 1.5 per FCU, I just wanted to gauge what others think. Especially you as it is your sheet that I am using.

I agree about the bits that cannot be priced, howabout the hours spent quoting and discussing jobs too.

Thanks

Martin