How to charge in Home Improvement's?

Question

I have been doing home Improvement's for about a year now. I just charge for my time on the job just like I was working for somone. However I can see after a yeat all I have to show is a aching Back and now I am very slow the past few weeks and no money coming in. Boy Did I mess up? What is the way to charge? What goino on in this Business NOW? SLOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Here you usually bid on the job. You need to figure about how long it will take and how much supplies will be. Some guys charge based on price of supplies, such as for a roof. If the shingles etc cost $3000 they will charge $6000 for the job. Remember you need to figure in cost of gas, tools, materials, insurance, etc. It's not the same as an hourly factory job. Tools wear out, Insurance is expensive, cars wear out, etc.

Answer 2

Don't get discouraged !! I have been in the business, or self employed for almost 20 years , and I work alone . First decide to specialize in some thing you like ,or know the best , don't try to do every thing that is offered to you because the field is too wide , and you won't be able to build a base of expertise that you will offer to a prospective customer , now I assume you have by now your tools and transportation , and you have business cards ( it is very important, and explain your expertise..) third ,decide your daily rate , there is a differences of labour rate per jobs, I do timing of casing , baseboards, crown mold and stairs , and I charge a flat rate per day of 350.00$, ... now I have found that most builders for new homes are very weary and pick the guys that already know , unless you have all ready established a report with some one ..... I know , between jobs can last few months unless they build a lot of houses , What I have done look for a specialty store , small new one they might need a installer ( don't go in general remodeling is too risky ) and start to build reputation , this avenue will give you continuity of work , customers prefer to get the labour from established sales companies . When dealing with the store give the company your labour price and allow the company to give their price to the customer , you collect from the company , but here you have to maintain your income tax records , labour taxes etc , it is all your responsibility don' forget .. , Material for the job , do a take off and pass it to your supply store and the store will give the price to the customer , they in turn will pay the store and you dont have to worie about loss of material cash , any way the most important aspect of this job is reliability , labour mistakes can be fixed, but reliability to your promise is priceless that will maintain you working , good luck .