[cfgardengirl]

I am currently writing a bid for one of my clients who wants an
8' x 8' concrete block platform for her utility area. My question is approximately how long will it take me to realistically do this job? I have not done this before. Please answer ASAP
Thanks, Catherine

[TrickyDick]

What kind of block? What are you setting them on?

[Stonehenge]

Yeah, I think we need more details. If this is a simple brick paver project, 64 sqft is very, very small and I'd probably pass on it. Or charge about $30/sqft.

But without more details, that's just a WAG.

[cfgardengirl]

12" x 12" cement blocks that are 1.5" thick. Setting them on paver baseand using level sand to fill in the blocks.

[AZTLANLC]

Do your customer a big favor and get a much better quality pavers, those sound like lowes products tha you wont be able to compact, also the price is outrageos for the quality.
if price is an issue you better off with a all concrete pad 4" thick.
Some concrete companies sell as little as a yard of pre-mix concrete

[cfgardengirl]

yes it is a Lowes product because she works for Lowes corporate and that is what she wants to use. You don't think I will be able to compact? I was considering $600 max for the job and she is supplying the materials.

[AZTLANLC]

time frame would be about 30 man hours if done with pavers.
this is with easy acces to the area, a place where you can dump the soil.
Dig 10 x 10 at 9" depth area by hand 6hr
Base and compact every 2" inches 10 hrs.
bedding sand 1 hr.
install pavers no cutting 4 hrs.
edge restrain spikes every 1' 1 hr.
compact pavers, fill joints, compact again 2 hrs.
clean up and finish borders 4hrs,
set up and order materials 2hrs.

pavers hollandstone 100sqf' pallet 250
item 4 3 yds $60 + delivery $150
bedding sand 1/2yd + del. $70
edge retrain and spikes $80
polymeric sand 2 bags $40
rent for compactor if dont have 1$50-100
and any other fee you might think
fuel, delivery charges, disposal etc.
+ labor

[AZTLANLC]

you will be braking every single one of those pavers if you do compact I can assure you that.
Why cause I did it before to prove my customer what type of crap she got.

[mark allen]

does Lowes have smaller bricks? that she can use.

[PSUscaper]

I think before we even start giving pricing help here we all need to slow down and do the normal run down.....

Catherine, in order to price a job....one must first understand what the job is. Is this the first time you are doing a brick job?
I'm assuming the answer is yes here.

Before we even begin with price, what we need you to do is do some research on how to install bricks.

There is a ton of resources here for that, and if you type in the search function you will get tons and tons of valuable info. Before I go any farther, I would suggest spending the time to do so.

Next, as I believe the situation is, you have little understanding of what a brick job even is. Every manufacturer out there publishes basic materials on brick installation. Before you even do any searches here, I should of suggested you read those first, or you are not going to understand the terminology in most of the posts here.

So, my bottom line is this....before you go to class and ask the teacher questions, take home the book and read the lesson first!

As for pricing, do this.....

go outside with a shovel and dig a hole in the ground that is 8'x8'. How long did it take?

Next, take all the dirt and load it into a truck and take it away. How long did it take?

Next, bring all the dirt back and fill the hole back in? How long did it take?

Get my drift here? If you are going to do this by yourself, it is going to take some time. Maybe a day? Maybe 2 days?

Next, how much do you want to make in a day? 100, 200, 300 dollars????

If it is going to take 2 days, then you should at least charge 2 times the daily rate.....

As for what we would charge? Well, I know what I want to make a day so I know right away what I will charge.

So...HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO MAKE?

HOW MUCH DOES THE CUSTOMER WANT TO PAY?

IS the pay enough for you?????

Is what you are charging more than you could make doing something else that you already know how to do?

And if it isn't, then why are you thinking of doing it?

[Keith N]

You can get 4"x8" (Holland stone) pavers for the same sqft price as the 12"x12" slab pieces. The holland stone will be a TON stronger than the slabs. Last but not least, the holland stone will look nicer.

[cfgardengirl]

Thanks for everyone's input. This has been very helpful.