Bidding welding labor only

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There are several threads on bidding jobs, and they tend to be comprehensive with regard to design, sourcing materials, time to purchase, cutting, fitting, welding, digging holes, etc.I'm hoping to get some sort of idea of the cost to do the welding only.  For example, if someone had the materials on-site (2" sq upright posts already in the ground, 1" sq runners, 1/2" sq pickets, for example), and your job was to put the panels together and weld them to the posts (or put the runners up and weld the pickets onto them - whichever), how would you price that?I know there are a few folks that would probably be interested in this, so I'm hoping to make it non-machine specific, but in my case, I would guess I'd use the Blue Star 6000 and 6013, but I'm sure there's people that would be interested in labor prices for in-shop MIG or FCAW processes (cost per foot).Thoughts? Rules of thumb? Kentucky windage? Scientific wild a** guess?Thanks
Reply:if your using 6013 are you buying rod or is it supplied? is gas for the blue star supplied? if your buying gas and rod id include that into the costLincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Yes, the welder, fuel, and consumables are supplied by the welder (me).  Only the steel is provided by the customer, and we're expecting to do the normal amout of fitting here and there.So with that, if you were to bid using your welder, your rods, your equipment to weld a fence together with the posts in the ground and the runners and pickets provided (and probably some cutting and grinding here and there as expected), how would you bid your labor?
Reply:Figure the hourly wage you would like to hit plus consumables. Play it out in your mind how long it will take to do each step and figure out a rough timeframe for the job. Err on the heavy side timewise though, for me, things always seem to take longer than I think they should...Miller Dynasty 200DXMiller 252 Miller 250xMiller Syncrowave 250Miller AEAD200 LegendMiller 375 Xtreme plasmaLincoln WeldPak 100Victor O/A
Reply:Agreed - I'm hoping to get some examples of what people are actually charging.  There is a lot of good advice about all the things to consider, and all are proper to consider...But if you were given this proposition, and with everyone considering everything they want to consider, what would you bid per foot?
Reply:For example, if someone had the materials on-site (2" sq upright posts already in the ground, 1" sq runners, 1/2" sq pickets, for example), and your job was to put the panels together and weld them to the posts (or put the runners up and weld the pickets onto them - whichever), how would you price that?
Reply:Yes, I agree, another consideration, but what would you charge in your area with your equipment per foot in this scenario?Repairs are easier by the hour given the odd amounts of removing, grinding, making new pieces, fitting... I do get that.Let me try it this way.In your area, with consumables and fuel costing you what they do in your area, with the equipment that you bring and choose to use, how much would you charge per foot with the scenarion being...Posts are in the ground, 8' apart... there's a pile of 1" sq and a pile of 1/2" sq tubing that you will cut.  Make a fence. No gates, no paint, no do-dads... just cost per foot to make a fence.What would the cost per foot be?  Please make any assumptions you need to make.
Reply:When I bid  handrails I usually figure 15 min a joint. That's cut (cope) ,weld ,and clean then if I need to add time I do accordingly. Hope this helps
Reply:I built a fence for some inlaws a few months ago....If I remember correctly, I was about $15/ft to make $65/hr (but it was a freebie), and I'm slow and took lots of breaks (it was 102 and very humid)
Reply:Originally Posted by fab_man21When I bid  handrails I usually figure 15 min a joint. That's cut (cope) ,weld ,and clean then if I need to add time I do accordingly. Hope this helps
Reply:I like to figure exactly how much weld I need to add to each joint. Then how many joints there is to weld. That will give you an idea for consumable cost. Plus fit up, cutting and grinding of each joint. Then your labor. Then a flat rate to have your welding machine there on site (your welder doesn't get there by itself). The fuel for your welder and your truck. Steel costs for the job if your supplying it. You get the idea. Cover everything.
Reply:Originally Posted by AMC724I built a fence for some inlaws a few months ago....If I remember correctly, I was about $15/ft to make $65/hr (but it was a freebie), and I'm slow and took lots of breaks (it was 102 and very humid)
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeI like to figure exactly how much weld I need to add to each joint. Then how many joints there is to weld. That will give you an idea for consumable cost. Plus fit up, cutting and grinding of each joint. Then your labor. Then a flat rate to have your welding machine there on site (your welder doesn't get there by itself). The fuel for your welder and your truck. Steel costs for the job if your supplying it. You get the idea. Cover everything.
Reply:People are politely trying to let you know that only You can figure out how much You should charge.  If you don't want to take the time needed to develop this important business aspect, go work for someone else.  Besides the fact that different ares charge differently, different companies have different overhead, and some go by the quantity over price thought, and yet others are just in it for beer money.
Reply:Also it depends if you have 4" or 6" on center uprights.   One reason per foot bidding is tough for on site work.   Too many variables.  In shop fence build is much easier to calculate.  Where are you located? If ur in say LA, there is a Mexican on every corner with his 110 Harbor Freight mig ready to under bid every job and bird poop weld it so if you do quality welding don't plan on being the lowest price.    I would charge by the hr doing on site work like that.  Mig or flux core is much faster on a job like that.   You also need to know what going rates in your area are.  Are you fully insured and licensed business or doing side work?  To make the same profit u gotta charge double if u are a legit business.Sent w/ Tapatalk using Swype, pls excuse typosTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by jamesloThe handrail scenario is good, but how much do you charge for 15 minutes?And again, how much per foot for the scenario?2" sq posts already in the ground, 8' apart, piles of 1" sq and 1/2" sq tubing are on site that you will cut to length and weld into place.  You bring everything else.How many dollars per foot to make a fence?Base it on fuel costs in your area, rod costs in your area, the job is 1 mile away from you.
Reply:Originally Posted by eclipsePeople are politely trying to let you know that only You can figure out how much You should charge.  If you don't want to take the time needed to develop this important business aspect, go work for someone else.  Besides the fact that different ares charge differently, different companies have different overhead, and some go by the quantity over price thought, and yet others are just in it for beer money.