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Window Trim pricing (complete)

10/24/12       
Jeff M

I'm figuring some interior trim pricing and would like some input. Does anyone think the following figures are out of line or too low??
3 1/4" casing, stained, finished with pre-cat lacquer, delivered and installed, mitered corners. (red oak)

This is all broken down to lineal footage pricing...jamb extensions and window seats all made and finished in house.

3 x 3 Window 2 x 4 walls---$89.75
3 x 5 Window 2 x 4 walls---$122.75

10/24/12       #2: Window Trim pricing (complete) ...
Jeff M

By the way....I'm in the middle of the country where house prices average about 85-90 bucks a square foot.

10/24/12       #3: Window Trim pricing (complete) ...
Robb Parker  Member

Website: http://www.HeritageWoodwright.com

Yes, way low. Assuming your pricing includes trim material, finishing and installation. I'm in NC.

10/25/12       #4: Window Trim pricing (complete) ...
JeffD

I'm not following your pricing method at all, but it's still too low! Is it 3' x 3' windows? 2 x 4 walls? Might be easier if you give us a running total of trim in linear feet, and then total number of windows.

Even without knowing exactly what your doing I know I wouldn't even do just the installation for $200! Have you counted the cost of materials, overhead, and labor?

If you can provide a little more detail we may be able to give better advice.

good luck,
JeffD

10/25/12       #5: Window Trim pricing (complete) ...
Jeff M

I'm trying to come up with a base figure for a given window size. 2 x 4 is the thickness of the wall that the window is in so you would have an idea of jamb extension size.
If you would like them in detail..here are my prices per LF:
3" casing--1.85
Finish--stain, sealer, 2 top coats--.55 per lf
(above average in my area)
Installation--2.65 per lf of casing
Window seats $4.50 per lf up to 6" width (includes finish and install)
Jamb extentions--1.50 per lf up to 6" width
(Includes finish and install)

Now, when I do the math and put the numbers all together for those size windows, the numbers given above are what I come up with.
I'm just trying to eliminate all this math when bidding and come up with some base prices for doors/windows complete.

10/25/12       #6: Window Trim pricing (complete) ...
JeffD

OK I'm going to have to make a bunch of assumptions here.....

I'm assuming your buying off-the-shelf casing and marking it up to come up with your prices of $1.85 lf? As that's likely too low for even basic custom. If so I usually mark up material for this type of work about 15%, so if your in that neighborhood your good.

I'm assuming your charging $.55 per foot for the entire finishing process? Which I can't imagine you'd be competing with anyone anywhere? My understanding is that most guys when they bid this type of work bid per coat. Now if you double it and charge per 2 coats I think you might make a little money. If you charge per coat you may be expensive....but only b/c that's a lot of coats. Trim work for me would be 1 coat of stain and if I top coated, (which I don't), it would be 2 coats. So you'd be charging 3 x $.55 for the finishing. Small jobs are much tougher since you need a certain minimum just to cover the material costs before you even start hitting labor costs. So you may need to charge more for a smaller job like this, than you would a job with hundreds of lf..

As for your installation I don't do this type so I can't help you there. But if your buying material, finishing material, delivering and installing that material all for $212....I just don't see how you can make any money?

Here's a job I recently finished up which is a different situation, but may help? I ran a custom 3-3/4" red oak chair rail sanded with 1 coat of stain for $3.66 per lf.. Knives and setup fee were a separate flat charge. Broken down I charged $1 per lf for the sand and stain. It worked out well for the base and cap, but came up a bit short for the casing. So that even at $3.66 I should have been a little higher. I planned on roughly 15% waste and it worked out OK.

Now different parts of the country are going to price things all over the map. However, no matter where you are you need to know that your making money at the end of the day. So step back and look at it like this, how long is it going to take you to do this start to finish? I can't see it being any less than a full day and likely more. Now starting with $212 and deducting for all the materials your going to use....how much is left for you? And is it worth it for you to work for that? I know I couldn't work for under $200 a day and keep my doors open:(

good luck,
JeffD

10/25/12       #7: Window Trim pricing (complete) ...
Jeff M

Thanks for your help.
To install that window takes me about an hour. There's no way I can charge $200 for an hour install.
My mark up on the casing is just under 15% (probably around 12).
My nearest finisher charges 43 cents a foot for the same process I was describing, but It's not quite as rich of a finish as I provide.
The entire process of cutting, sanding, finishing and installing that one window takes about 3 hours total plus travel and tool set up, ect.
I had an idea that this was low, but wasn't sure by how much.
I usually shoot to make $250 per day or I don't bid. This pricing will get me there with the right quantity. I've got a thin line to walk here due to what the others in my area are charging, but I will consider raising these prices.
Thanks again for your input.


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