[Stonehenge]

I just received a packet from Unilock today - it includes a few different patios, each with a few different install variables (type of paver, access to site, etc). They want me to generate a bid for each and mail it back to them anonymously, so that they can better tell where the industry falls in pricing work, that they might better educate everyone about how to price appropriately, and how to educate consumers about what to expect in pricing as well.

I hope I get to see the results, but in any case, I applaud them for taking this step.

[diginahole]

They have been doing that up here for several years aswell. It is part of the authorized contractor package. Near as I can tell the info is used mainly in the lead qualification process. If you ask for the results I am certain they would share them with you.

[BJR]

What an excellent idea. I might just have to try and get it started here.

This would be good for retaining walls too.

[Stonehenge]

I was even thinking it'd be worthwhile to create something like that here. Lemme work on that a bit.

[Bill Schwab]

Jeff:

Do they set the crtieria for ground and access conditions in that packet? Like do they tell you hard clay, dry, easy access or something such as that?

What I am getting at, is of they use the average square foot number to throw out at people, that thing could be so far off, it would do no good...

I think they have a great idea there, but, unless they set the variables, I'm not so sure it will be accurate....

[grlandscaping]

SH....that would be great to do something like that on here. Set all the varialbes up, and then bid. Do that for any type of project really and once a few have been done, you can compare and contrast the prices for each, and maybe come up with a general range for prices. Lots of info would have to go into that of course

[Stonehenge]

Here's the details they give on the first scenario:

Hollandstone patio on Grade (532 sqft and 105 linear feet of cuts for pattern cut in). Install a step in front of each door (quote the steps constructed of Quarry Stone, they are 39 inch radius). No Machine access, hand dig only.

Patio to be constructed on 6 inches of base material.

The graphic of the patio is attached below.

The other scenarios include same patio with a dif't paver and machine access, a two-tier patio, a driveway (including demolition).

[Stonehenge]

Forgot the pic

[Bill Schwab]

Ok, what have the specified will be done witht he soils, and is this an established yard, or one that has sod/ plants on it?

And, if this is a new landscape, can we loose the spoils by tilling them into the grade? Out here, dirt costs $130.00 per two axle dump, and $225.00 for a 6 axle dump to get rid of. Since there will be 12 yards of spoils without factoring in the fluff, that would be a significant savings.

[Stonehenge]

None of that info is given. The data I presented is what I received. I think for the sake of estimating, we'll probably leave 'what to do with the spoils' out of the equation, because it seems that could vary quite a bit. There's almost always a place to truck fill around here, if it can't be used on site.

[Bill Schwab]

True Jeff, however, trucking costs money too, and since they called this a hand dig, this would mean you wheel the dirt up into the back of your truck. No machines, even if you are bringing it on site behind a dump just to load spoils, that needs to be charged for in order to keep apples to apples.

Typically, with the drawings from engineering, or architectural firms we work with, all that criteria is usually spelled out, as the average homeowner could vary well tell you to save money, he will take care of the soils, however, in all reality, once they see the pile, they will want you to take them away. Cha Ching, cha chang! I don,t want my net getting hit by a second that is not accounted for.
Food for thought!

[diginahole]

I haven't recieved my AC package yet so I don't know if the survey will be formatted the same as yours is Jeff. In years previous Unilock has done it a little different up here. All they ask from us is a price range stated in sq ft units for certain typical types of jobs. This enables them to ballpark some rough cost ideas in order to pre-Q leads before they are passed along to the contractors. Again the reasoning behind the survey is to help in the lead qualification process moreso than educating contractors. The quality of leads has improved since this practice was implimented. I have never gone to look at a job and have the customer say "But UNILOCK said it would only cost $XXXX.XX"

[diginahole]

Bill are you hauling spoils away with 6 axle dumps? Is that a tractor trailer or straight truck?

[Bill Schwab]

Blair:

Typo on my part...Mean't 6 Wheel" dump, with 3 axles.

We have some wierd ones here however...4 Axles on a straight truck, two up front are steering axles...

[AZTLANLC]

I'm very interested in this tread, due to the fact that I'm leaving the flat XxX amount of $$ per sqf. that I inherited from my former boss.

And also a good excuse to use jeff's spreadsheet.

I did it my way and it came up to about 8K then used jeff's spreadsheet and came up to about 11k .

Am I too low, is it my worst fear come true "being a lowballer", please tell me what you guys think about this two prices.

Both prices shoot for a $40 per man hour .

Side note
Using my older method this patio would have cost about $6,500 including disposal of the soil.