[Genik]

Hello, I have a client, who has a big Asphault driveway (6,200 sq. ft.) which needs to be replaced to brick paving. I already did a couple of big driveways before (2,500 -3,000 sq. ft)
The brick that the current client would like is from Pavelock, Antique Colonial - it costs 3.50 per sq ft. I have to remove the asphault and dig 15 inches for 12 inches base. Any ideas on how much I should make the estimate for?
I have a few numbers, but the costumer is pushing the price lower. I would really apreciate it.

Best Regards,
Gennadi

[jwholden]

You set the price of the job based on the materials and design of the job they selected. If they want the price to be lower they have to use less expensive materials or change the job specifications.

What does your customer know about pricing jobs like that? If they knew how to do it they would not have contacted you to do it.

You calculate how much time, materials, equipment, and subcontractors it will take to complete the job. Add your markup and profit on top of that and that is the price.

If the customer tells you have to lower your price to get the job ask them what part of the job they would like to cut. Let them get a cheaper price from the next guy and live with the consequences, good or bad.

End of story.

Take a drive down to the gas station and tell them thier price is too high. See if they lower thier price because they have to sell you gas.

[Stonehenge]

Of course the client wants to pay less. But like JW said, if you know your costs and your margins are what they need to be to earn the living you want to live, then there's no wiggle room. You can have the client sign off on a cheaper paver or a more shallow prep, and you probably have some negotiating room on the paver (call a sales rep and tell them to send you a bid for 6,200 sqft of that paver). But the client shouldn't be driving the price - your numbers should.

Good luck!

[Fine Edge]

I agree with all of the above. Don't let the customer dictate what you should be charging.

When I called DirectTV and told them what I wanted to pay for the same package I have now, they laughed at me and so did the slaesman at the Corvette dealership when I told him what I wanted to pay for a loaded Vette.

As much as i love the business I'm in, it really gets my goat when someone wants and wants and wants but refuses to pay for it. Especially when they're sitting in their 5000 sq. ft. house and picking their kids up from the private school in the new Mercedes.

Sometimes I can negotiate a little but certain types of "scroogish" customers make me automatically start adding more profit to the bottom line.
You see, we all know how to LOSE money and it's no fun.
Get your price or go on to the next one.

[jshilan]

Depending on how you priced the job, there should be some economies of scale for doing a driveway this size. If you haven't looked into it, drop shipping will reduce your material costs significantly. Also, consider having an asphalt company do the ripout and base prep. They usually have bigger trucks and compactors than landscape contractors do and are much more efficient at this type of work.

We did this years ago when we were too busy to waste any time and found it to be extremely efficient and profitable. That one machine they have that levels the base is incredible.

Just something to think about. I wouldn't necessarily lower the price but this may give you some wiggle room.

[Lanelle]

As everyone else says, don't let the customer determine your profit/loss.
But, there are ways to be more efficient on large jobs.
Having the asphalt company do the base work is an excellent idea.
If you are doing driveways, and you are going to do all of the prep work, look into getting the plate tamper that fits on a skid loader. You can save many man-hours with it. Make sure that you are pulling as large a screed board as feasible.
If your guys all know and use every efficiency trick in the trade for being fast and good, your numbers may change some but your profit will remain.
The other thing to look at is the quality of the existing base. If it is good, you may be able to avoid tearing it out, but only if you are satisfied that it will hold up - not because the client wants it cheaper.