I'm just curious if anyone has experienced this craziness lately. I feel like we are at an weird time with trade prices. It seems as though it's a free for all in my area and all other areas ive visited and people ive spoke with. It seems expectations of going rates for certain services are history. Also it seems very few people look for a second or third price. Seems you could get three bids on replacing and installing a new toilet that'd range from 300-1800 labor only and someone would throw out 2995.99 if the toilet is included. this is just a guess (although I do go to church with a plumber that's 500 off the bat if he shows up) but it's reality throughout residential construction work. Contractors jack up costs if they are super busy or it's going to be a shit job or shitty costumer but it also seems prices are just jacked up to unrealistic prices due to shortages of workers. Just trying to wrap my head around this insane trend we are in.....seems most trades around here if there is such a thing as a going rate are charging 95.00 (almost the lowest price in town a roofing contractor charges) per man hour. Roofing painting plumbing sparkys and carp squares seem to be that or higher. Amish still charging 35-45 per guy......this is just a huge struggle for me going from an hourly employee to self employed trying to figure out what my time is worth with trying to be moral and honest, and at the same time not dick myself out of money. I'm new to this side of things and it may have always been like this but I remember starting out trade work had a price and it was well known throughout society...
Labor rates and wages?
- Thread starter md1
- Start date
I had a tile guy price a shower and two larger backsplashes on my parents house because I busy he was 10k labor for less than two weeks of work, i ended up doing it.
Welcome to a high demand, low supply market. With fewer people capable of doing skilled labor, both homeowners and workers alike, the disparity between the demand for labor and the availability of labor creates chaos in the system. I've seen a lot more "I'm too busy" prices for the reputable folks lately than I can recall. It's just a messy market all the way around.
For you, I'd look at what the book rate for union labor is for the skills you provide and use that as a baseline/reference for your own pricing (if you haven't already).
For you, I'd look at what the book rate for union labor is for the skills you provide and use that as a baseline/reference for your own pricing (if you haven't already).
whitetailjunky3
Junior Member
- 981
- 109
Once you figure out a price let me know. I may have some chimney work I need done if you’re still doing that kinda work.
I think it depends on what you want to do with your company. If you are just trying to keep you busy with low overhead, charge what you want for your time. If you are trying to be legit and grow into some big, charge for that. Either way, you gotta sleep at night feeling confident in what you did that day. Only you can control.wjat that level is.
My point being, a legit company has more overhead and requires more money to support that. Insurance, warranty, vehicle, rental equipment, office. A fella just wanting to be his own man can do a job at a lower rate because he doesn't have all that. He just wants to make a good rate, cover cost and pocket enough to make it worth doing.
Remembering some background, you gave up a union spot. Total package I would guess you made around $80-85 an hour with pension, insurance and all the extras on top of your pay. I would want at least that. Which I think is what Jesse was talking about, not hourly wage.
My point being, a legit company has more overhead and requires more money to support that. Insurance, warranty, vehicle, rental equipment, office. A fella just wanting to be his own man can do a job at a lower rate because he doesn't have all that. He just wants to make a good rate, cover cost and pocket enough to make it worth doing.
Remembering some background, you gave up a union spot. Total package I would guess you made around $80-85 an hour with pension, insurance and all the extras on top of your pay. I would want at least that. Which I think is what Jesse was talking about, not hourly wage.
I guess my post is just seeing if this chaotic trend is consistent across the state and states that others live in. For a project to have three contractors bids be double or triple the price as one another. I think having fake tits installed or open heart surgery has way more of a tighter market than anything in residential construction. But I am definitely struggling morally on pricing.....