[Fine Edge]

Just quoted a stone tile install - 1000 sq. ft.

Customer has bought this tile already, my costs are sand , mortar and labor. It is all evenly cut to the same thickness ( 3/4" ) and comes 6 stones to each "piece" that is held together by a webbing , like small tile pieces.
The existing new concrete is VERY curvy, more than anything I've ever come across, small circle planter on one side, crazy curves. Wish I took a pic.
Keep in mind that all joints ( 1/2" ) will have to be grouted and cleaned.

I thought I gave him a very fair price of $9200 since my cutting time will be much more than laying the actual pieces.
I thought he was going to have a heart attack over the phone.



Anybody here ever install this type of natural stone and does this per sq. ft. price sound unreasonable?
Beleieve me, I'm going to need 2 saws going for 3 days just to do the cutting.

[Greensmith]

As I believe Dale always says use your price to do business not guesswork.

Sounds like you just needed to vent though, I hate customers who go into shock when you give a price. Not much kills morale faster then an upset client.

[Lanelle]

As I see it, the client took a nice job and broke it up into pieces trying to save money.
First they poured the concrete slab. What they paid for that isn't your problem or any of your profit.
Second, they went out and bought the stone tile on their own, probably paying retail. Another place where you won't make any profit.
Now they want you to do the work for just the labor and be happy with minimal profit opportunity.
I wouldn't be very attracted to this job because of that limited opportunity for income and if you run short of the tile because of the excessive cutting, will they buy more product or be angry because you didn't 'make it work?'

When people become this involved in their project, I see red flags. Have you got your running shoes on yet?