Trim

[Teresa]

We have relocated from England to Florida and things are certainly different. In England we are a London College trianed mastercraftsman Company with 15 years experience.

After talking with one builder today his trim price for 1 1650sq ft home is just 26 cents a foot. He paid his last trim people $400 for the house. That included skirting, bi-folds and internal doors. This is in South West Florida. How do I judge if this is a fair price?

[Derrell Day]

It's not. It's robbery.
Figure up how long it will take you to trim the house, multiply the hours by the wage you feel justified by your experience/quality , then add 20% for profit.
Base your bid on YOUR figures, not what this snake is offering.
Good Luck!

[Mike Sloggatt]

Move to NY -- -

We'll pay you a lot more than that !

MPS

[Steve Merrette]

Yeah I've been in homes that were done by the $400 crews. doors with uneven gaps, trim that had over 3/4" misalignment at corners, etc. you get what you pay for.

[GACC Dallas]

Teresa,

$400US to trim a house?

You're looking in the wrong market. Drive as far away from that part of town as you can.

Go find where the rich people live. If there are no rich people in your town, move to another town.

Ed. Williams

[Teresa]

Thanks to you all for the response. We were beginning to loose heart.
We have spent 20 years in England building up a reputation of honesty, timekeeping and quality and it's served us well.

Here in Florida it crossed my mind that maybe builders choose the cheapest price without putting enough thought onto the finish quality.

Steve, yes we have noticed looking around that some workmanship isn't too good.

How do I go about pricing jobs here in Florida. What is an average hourly rate?

[oneeyesquare]

For $400, I will stop at the jobsite, unload my tools, load them back into the trailer and drive off.I bet those "carpenters" could make more money working at Burger King... Unbelievable.

[CraigV]

Maybe it's just me, but every time I read messages regarding money and Florida, I'm appalled by what builders down there are paying. Didn't a young guy post a message here a few months ago that he was offered $7/hr as an experienced trim carpenter?


Derrell's right; work up your bids based upon what you need to earn. You'll find plenty of builders that will low-ball you because you're new to the area and they hope, ignorant of what you can earn.


Try not to be too discouraged by the overall lack of concern for quality. There are many more hacks than craftsman. But that's lucky for you...get yourself into the sights of the quality builders and you'll thrive, as they can't get good subs for love or money.

[CraigV]

Maybe it's just me, but every time I read messages regarding money and Florida, I'm appalled by what builders down there are paying. Didn't a young guy post a message here a few months ago that he was offered $7/hr as an experienced trim carpenter?

Derrell's right; work up your bids based upon what you need to earn. You'll find plenty of builders that will low-ball you because you're new to the area and they hope, ignorant of what you can earn.

Try not to be too discouraged by the overall lack of concern for quality. There are many more hacks than craftsman. But that's lucky for you...get yourself into the sights of the quality builders and you'll thrive, as they can't get good subs for love or money.

[Danny Waite]

Somebody left a ZERO out of the equation!

["JJ"]

$400 to trim a house? I just charged a customer $280 labor only for installing a paired set of french doors, jambs, casings, mortising. Materials extra, painting extra. I wouldn't touch a basic 1650 sf house for less than $2,500.

Better get your pricing up to snuff or you are in for a surprise. CraigV is right, wages in FL are not exactly attractive. Come to S.E. NY state as M Sloggart says, we'll be fair with you. "JJ"

[Teresa]

Does anyone know the 'thread' which Craig refers to as I'd really like to read it?

[Alley]

I would suggest that you contact builders who do high end custom homes,The Naples Fort Myers area is full of them. I am a builder in the Panhandle and pay .30 per square foot on production type homes. I pay a lot more on my custom homes that have more moulding and stair work.

[kcoyner]

For .30 a foot? Your building housetrailers not houses. No "house" can be trimed for .30 per sq foot. I was .60 per sq ft 18 yrs ago for track houses.

[Alley]

Where are you located?.30 per squre foot is the going rate in Pensacola for a home that will sell in the 130K range. For the record I dont believe in square foot pricing. I worked for many years in South Florida for piece rates, per door per l/ft of base etc. By the way I have trim labor subs calling me daily for work at .30 and they have all the required tools,insurance and licenses and believe it or not the work is good!

Alley