I notice sometimes old price memories creep up on me. Occasionally when I'm figuring a bid on a job old prices fromn decades ago will jump onto the paper. I'll allow $10 for cost on a 4x4 PT pole, thinking in the back of my mind I actually have a profit margin built into that figure. And I won't even consider things like screws or primer, or a stupid bag of concrete that my mind tells me is only a couple bucks. Then I fall into sticker shock when its time to actually go the the building supply for my materials.
Fast set concrete @ $9.95/bag. Stainless steel screws almost $1 each. 3.5" wooden ball finials $10 ea. 3/4" PVC sheet as much as $250 for some brands! Holy cripes my bids are getting eaten alive with materials.
I have a similar problem with quoting anything off the cuff. $250 used to be common for a van lettering job - back in the day, and that price still wants to jump out of my mouth. $80 for a set of magnetics. $75 for a realtors sign, $250 for a 4x8. These days it seems like the used-to-be retail price is more like the cost of materials. I've GOT to remember that, but damm if a part of me deep down isnt stuck in the 70s.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Anytime you find your thinking stuck in the seventies ... think about what your electric bill, grocery bill, rent/mortgage, and ANY hired services were back then. Then consider what they are now.
You'll snap right out of it!
Works for me. I just paid a plumber over 100 bux per hour labour (not counting the fixtures) to put in a new toilet and sink. After the shell-shock wore off, I KNEW it was time for yet another price hike for my work too! My property taxes are more than doubling this year, and my homeowner's insurance is also taking a drastic hike up. Hey ... the money's gotta come from somewhere!
Nettie
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Oh, believe me Nettie, I get shell shocked all the time. It aint pretty and it aint fun. I'm usually ok if I take the effort to write out a time and materials breakdown of a bid - adding that bottom line up at least keeps me aware of the big stuff. But I better be sure to add in every imaginable item, because that roll of masking tape isnt .49 cents anymore. It takes a lot of diligence is all, and I sometimes sabotage myself with old price structures. You know what I mean, you were there with me for a lot of this stuff, bidding out 88 jobs a day during the 80s. I wish I could forget half of what I knew. Its working against me now.
[ June 08, 2003, 01:29 PM: Message edited by: Joe Rees ]
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Stuck in the 70's, Joe? I thought that was you cruising down Oliver Street the other day... LOL!
I hear of what you speak, Bro. We should re-adjust of thought processes every once in awhile to account for the rising cost of materials.
Hope to see you in Quebec...
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Joe!
Sure hope you are coming to Quebec! Dang ... would love to see you there! Nettie
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Quebec eh? and my homies are going to be there... Well, I was going to say no way, but I just looked up the date and where it is, and dang if I don't plan to be in that vicinity right about that time...hmmm, I will give that some serious consideration.
Actually planing to do a tour of Maine sometime late summer. Quebec is not that far from there. The plan is only general at this time. I am trying to have both my boys with me, but Brian might have other plans since he graduated high school today!! Hey Nettie, remember this guy?
He might be too grown up to hang around with dad after this. We'll see. All I know is I got a lot of signs to make between now and then so I'll have the money to goof off for a whole week.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
KNOW THE FEELIN ....cept most here STILL DO STUFF FOR THAT ...AND LESS!!! pair a mags...$29-49 most shops...4x8 mdo $200, 4x8 coro $100, 2x6 banners for $25, 18" x 24" yard signs 2 sides for $10.....they dont stay in business long but long enough foo the buying public to EXPECT these prices as NORMAL. i did stickem up ONLY of 2-4x8(where already painted and set in place) with hp vinyl for $640!!!!! here this is not the norm.
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