Pricing a project need assistance!

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I am building a surf rack for a customers jeep and need some help on pricing the labor.The rack is all aluminum 2x2 tubing with 3x4 expanded metal as the floor. It's 5Wx2Lx8 inches deep. It's about 37 total feet of tubing used and total cost of materials so far is 200 not including consumables. How do I judge labor rate on something like this? This is a new adventure for me and wanna make sure I don't over charge or cut my own throat thanks!Lincoln Ranger 250Lincoln Powermig 255cMiller syncrowave 250dxAll inside 6x12 carry on enclosed 97 powerstroke f350 crew cab
Reply:Part of your pricing guess includes inches of weld and number of cuts.  Those both help with the labor estimate.  Unless he gives you the plans, remember to add design time labor.For estimates without running the numbers I tell people 1x to 2x the material, then I figure it out later and let them know before I take the job.Other more experienced guys on this site will have more precise tips for you. Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I clicked through just to see if it was a photobooth. Thank goodness it isn't!
Reply:Dollar and a half a minute and materials x .5 Example: if it takes you 3 hours to weld/fab and the materials cost you 200 bucks then maybe charge $570. Just a guess. I read it on another forum somewhere. I've never really bid a job. I mostly say "buy the materials and give me *** bucks". Then again I've only ever helped friends and family. Thanks for reading!
Reply:800, a store bought one is over a grand.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDavePart of your pricing guess includes inches of weld and number of cuts.  Those both help with the labor estimate.  Unless he gives you the plans, remember to add design time labor.For estimates without running the numbers I tell people 1x to 2x the material, then I figure it out later and let them know before I take the job.Other more experienced guys on this site will have more precise tips for you. Dave J.
Reply:Keep it simple, or you will cut your own throat just trying to split hairs. I look at the project, and break it down into simple chunks. For example:design, research, plan: 2 hourstime to source & buy material: 2 hourslay out and cut material: 2 hoursfit, check and weld: 2 hoursRound up when in doubt. Also, I flat out tell customers all the time "if you can buy one from a manufacturer, it will probably cost less than having it built". -Markhttp://www.facebook.com/Knappmobilewelding
Reply:Originally Posted by Knappwelddesign, research, plan: 2 hourstime to source & buy material: 2 hourslay out and cut material: 2 hoursfit, check and weld: 2 hoursRound up when in doubt. Also, I flat out tell customers all the time "if you can buy one from a manufacturer, it will probably cost less than having it built". -Mark
Reply:Awesome great info I was thinking 600 bucks it's also for a supervisor and I told him I would cut a break if he refered me to his jeep buddiesLincoln Ranger 250Lincoln Powermig 255cMiller syncrowave 250dxAll inside 6x12 carry on enclosed 97 powerstroke f350 crew cab
Reply:Pricing jobs takes practice, just like learning how to fab and weld. Hopefully, the supervisor will spread your name.lol you will eventually come across a person that says they have "tons of business to send your way". Or they say they are going to have "50 of these built , soon" but only want 1, right now.Try not to fall for it. They are usually blowing smoke, trying to get it for free.Get some pics of the rack your building.-Markhttp://www.facebook.com/Knappmobilewelding
Reply:Here is a pic of the rack only took about a hr to cut and weld turned out pretty good still need the jeep to figure out the mounting frameLincoln Ranger 250Lincoln Powermig 255cMiller syncrowave 250dxAll inside 6x12 carry on enclosed 97 powerstroke f350 crew cab
Reply:Looks good!http://www.facebook.com/Knappmobilewelding
Reply:Thanks yea it's getting thereLincoln Ranger 250Lincoln Powermig 255cMiller syncrowave 250dxAll inside 6x12 carry on enclosed 97 powerstroke f350 crew cab