Need help with a quote

JCLP

Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2013
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955
Hello Friends,
A client has asked me for a price to build and install the cabinet illustrated in the image. The client has all of the materials, including hardware for drawers and cabinet doors. I'm having difficulty coming up with a fair price for me and the client. The finish will be painted which I will do. The overall width of the unit is now 112" and not 106". The 2 outside units will be 23 3/4" and not 20 3/4 as marked in the drawing. The center unit which will house the TV is 16" deep and the 2 outside units, with the cupboards will be 14" deep. It will also be my responsibility to mount the TV mount and TV and due the wiring for the audio componenets that will be house in the cupboards below the TV. All doors and drawers are standard shaker panel. Crown moulding on the top of the center piece, no crown on the 2 outside pieces. Hopefully this gives you enough info to help me out.
Thank you.
JC
 

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wrightwoodwork said:
Do you have an idea how long the job will take you to do. Base it on that and what your day rates are
I was hoping that I would get some ideas of time frame from some of the members then I would have some numbers to ponder over.  My hourly rate I know, it's the time I'm stuck on.
 
wrightwoodwork said:
Next question is what tool do you have available. If it was me doing I'd give myself around 6 to 7 days
Tools I have are, festool sanders, festool track saw, Dewalt 13" planer, table saw, festool domino, router table with many rail and stile bits, festool 1400 router and festool jigsaw. Homemade large mft, and whole bunch of other stuff too many to mention. I hate typing.
So let's assume 7 days, 8 hours a day that would be 56 hours to build, paint and install. That doesn't seem like a lot of time as there is a lot of sanding between coats of paint, allowing 24 hours for paint to dry before sanding and having a minimum of 3 coats, that only leaves 4 days to build and install. That does't seem like a lot of time. I don't think I could complete this project in 6-7 days. Maybe I should farm this out to someone else.
JC
 
Your name says custom woodwork and cabinetry, how do you price out other jobs. Figure out what the job would cost if you supplied everything and take away the wholesale cost of materials and hardware. You have already been given what someone else would use as a time and you said you can't do it for that, figure out how much extra time you need. Add the cost of the custom installation. Sounds like your using house paint if you have to allow 24 hrs to dry. That in itself is a nightmare in the making for someone doing custom wood work. Don't be afraid to price high, the customer sure as hell wouldn't have any trouble under paying given the opportunity.

John
 
JCLP said:
I'm having difficulty coming up with a fair price for me and the client.

Hi JC:
It sounds like the client has indicated that they don't want to pay as much as you want to charge and you don't want to compromise your standards. I don't get too many of these kinds of requests, but when I do I don't get the job.

Sorry, I can't give you an estimate for how much time this would take me, 'cause I don't know what kind of quality the client wants. The price range for this type of work is very wide, and quality of fit and finish definitely adds time and money to the project.
If they client wants cheap and cheerful, and I can find a way to do that within my schedule I will usually accommodate.

I think it's more important to establish what the "value" the client places on this unit by asking what kind of cabinetry they like or have seen they like and then work from there. Usually, when I visit a client there are clues to what kind of quality they are willing to pay for and I can price accordingly.

Have you given them a price, and they are not happy with it?
Have they told you what they want to pay? If they haven't have you asked them? If they have can you do the project for the price?

I thought you were awarded this project?
Tim

PS, the only materials my clients buy are the pulls.
 
Yeah was thinking that with the paint. Also how long would it take you to make a single door then times by the number of doors and same with the drawers. If the customer wants custom built they have to be willing to pay for it. Also do you have any other previous jobs you could base your time on as a guide line on. 
 
{PS, the only materials my clients buy are the pulls.}

If I had another client that was supplying more then the pulls I would walk away. If they want to supply the material they are looking for a cheap price. IMHO
 
The drawing you provided is pretty detailed I would definitely say two weeks.the doors alone would take a day unless you are farming them out.The finish should definitely not be rushed.They do make paint that dries very quickly.I just used a product that dried in 20min.If you don't have a table saw cutting out the parts could take up to 2 days.Keep in mind it all depends on where you live but I would charge at least $3,000.00 for that built in and without seeing the job that might be on the low end.I don't have a lesser quality price.Imo you should always do your best and just price it properly.the customer no matter what you charge will always expect the best if they come back and say there is something wrong do you think they would accept  the answer well you got the cheap work price.Good luck hope you get the job those jobs are always fun.
 
evolution.727 said:
The drawing you provided is pretty detailed I would definitely say two weeks.the doors alone would take a day unless you are farming them out.The finish should definitely not be rushed.They do make paint that dries very quickly.I just used a product that dried in 20min.If you don't have a table saw cutting out the parts could take up to 2 days.Keep in mind it all depends on where you live but I would charge at least $3,000.00 for that built in and without seeing the job that might be on the low end.I don't have a lesser quality price.Imo you should always do your best and just price it properly.the customer no matter what you charge will always expect the best if they come back and say there is something wrong do you think they would accept  the answer well you got the cheap work price.Good luck hope you get the job those jobs are always fun.
I'll second that
 
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