Another pricing question - Fence Related

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I've never had a job that I've charged for and I know pricing questions usually get ambiguous responses. Any input would be greatly appreciated.1 - I have my hard cost price of material + paint per panel around $57.85 per 8' section that is 5' tall. I'm wanting to add in a 25% markup on material plus add  labor. This would bring the price to $80 a panel. Is that a fair price, high or low? Using Fence Depot as a rough gauge, it seems cheap but in the right ball park.http://www.fence-depot.com/fence/60-...ht-iron-fence/2 - Posts - my hard cost is $11 per post. Is $17 reasonable? (Not much labor in these. Cut and paint, maybe add a flange if he wants to go that route.)3 - Gate - I believe he's wanting just a simple gate to match the fence, and what I'd put my hard costs at are about $50 for the gate. Is charging $90 for the gate reasonable?He is also asking me to give him a price for labor. This will sky rocket the price because I'm not going to dig fence posts in rocky terrain for cheap. Plus you have a few more materials and tools for install. If I'm doing an all inclusive job, I'd put the cost at $150 per 8' section installed. I'm not looking to make a TON of money on the project, but I don't want to be working for free and I definitely don't want to give him a price that is vastly overcharging. Thanks for your time.
Reply:I would give him a total price for the job.I don't break down my bid into materials  and labor.I would figure my time to build a section plus materials and multiple  by the number of sections.On the post ake your cost plus time to dig the post hole and multiply  by number of.post.Get the total and then add your overhead and profit margins for a total cost.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using TapatalkThermal Arc 211iVictor torchesLots of grinders
Reply:Seems like you charge zero for labor for fabrication and painting.  Are you concerned about overcharging or not being hired?   You cannot overcharge him, if he is wise then he won't hire you, if you are too high.  Use fence depot panel,  provide an estimate for install. Or provide something the other folk don't offer and charge what is needed to fab the panels. At your lack of fabrication rates you will not make any money.  Good luck.
Reply:ALSO the link is for NON welded panels.   See it says punched channel.  Go look at Home Depot fencing.  Bunch of square slots in the top and bottom rail and the slats are just dropped in.   I think you probably need to double your price.Tiger 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 odleoI would give him a total price for the job.I don't break down my bid into materials  and labor.I would figure my time to build a section plus materials and multiple  by the number of sections.On the post ake your cost plus time to dig the post hole and multiply  by number of.post.Get the total and then add your overhead and profit margins for a total cost.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawALSO the link is for NON welded panels.   See it says punched channel.  Go look at Home Depot fencing.  Bunch of square slots in the top and bottom rail and the slats are just dropped in.   I think you probably need to double your price.
Reply:Have you tried calling a reputable ornamental iron fab shop in your area for pricing?  I bet they are several times more than what you are charging.  Keep in mind that is what he is going to have to pay if you don't do it.  Also figure 30% of their price goes just to covering insurance and basic overhead.Also you will need to but some heavy angle and channel to make the jigs for welding up the panels and keep them from twisting and warping.  Budget the cost of your first panel add throw away when it warps or twists in ways you did not expect.Just view the images tab.  You will have several hours just in building the jigshttp://lmgtfy.com/?q=ornamental+iron+fencing+jigLast edited by soutthpaw; 10-26-2015 at 02:35 PM.Tiger 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:Punched panels doesn't necessarily mean non welded.  You probably need a fixture,  you gotta secure and handle the marerial, you go gotta cut/prep parts,  you gotta clean material,  how many panels can you setup/paint /dry per hour, ...
Reply:figure out how much the materials will cost Then how much you would like to make per hourthen give estimate how long it will take you to build and installThen add cost and labor together submit cost to custermerSometimes you make a dollar sometimes you don't
Reply:RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here's my price like it or leave it - I'm not into playing games with tire kickers.  Live and learn I suppose.
Reply:I wrote this long thing and then botched the send.I am a contractor and I frequently sub fencing work of this type. In our area welded A-style panels, 5' high are usually between 26 and 32 dollars per square foot installed. This includes posts in concrete and all metal work is galvanized and powdercoated. Gates are extra ($300 ish). It sounds to me like you are looking at fabricating everything by hand. While you COULD, most fabrication places doing panels have robotic welders so  you are going to have a hard time getting even close to the same ballpark when you charge accurately for your labor. What about buying manufactured panels (you could probably get some sort of discount as a contractor) and charging a markup on them and then you do all the install fabrication and welding work? That way you could at least make some money without cutting yourself short.Good luck!
Reply:That is supposed to be per LINEAR foot not square. Apologies.
Reply:Originally Posted by kellanvI wrote this long thing and then botched the send.I am a contractor and I frequently sub fencing work of this type. In our area welded A-style panels, 5' high are usually between 26 and 32 dollars per square foot installed. This includes posts in concrete and all metal work is galvanized and powdercoated. Gates are extra ($300 ish). It sounds to me like you are looking at fabricating everything by hand. While you COULD, most fabrication places doing panels have robotic welders so  you are going to have a hard time getting even close to the same ballpark when you charge accurately for your labor. What about buying manufactured panels (you could probably get some sort of discount as a contractor) and charging a markup on them and then you do all the install fabrication and welding work? That way you could at least make some money without cutting yourself short.Good luck!
Reply:Unless you have changed numbers, Your price is too low to self fabricate, finish and install.  Good luck.Last edited by tapwelder; 10-28-2015 at 08:01 PM.