Deck Restoration Estimate (Volume)

[onecallpowerw]

I have been awarded a Parks & Recreation job that contains 33792 sq ft. of Deck Restoration to include stain/seal.

I know what I got it for and just wondering what you all might have bid per sq ft.

Specifics: Wood is in great shape, Very little popups, I will be using either Olympic or Wolman F&P. They have not decided on color yet but they have those choices. Semi Transparent.

 

[Mike Hughes]

you dont have to strip it, right?

 

[Mikespowrwash]

For just cleaning and sealing Id go right around a dollar maybe slightly under to around .85 -.90. Really depends on condition and ease of accessing all areas.

 

[onecallpowerw]

No, No stripping involved. Area has never had stain/sealant applied.

 

[Mikespowrwash]

Upon rereading your post its over 33,000 square feet not 3,300, I mis read the number, so I would actually bid it lower probably around .55 as long as it can be just cleaned and sealed. Can it be sprayed or do you have to alot of brushing or use staining pads?

 

[onecallpowerw]

We plan on spraying. One side banks the river and the other banks parking lot. This is a boardwalk job if that makes it easier.

 

[Larry L.]

guess guess guess hmmmm

Give them more details,like rails,steps,benches,poles,logs,haul water to job site or get it out of the river and what ever else you see to make the bidding easier.

 

[onecallpowerw]

Rails on one side(water side) included in footage, 4 - 3 step steps
included in footage, water connection avalible onsite and or pump from river. River side only 8' off jetty rocks, Job can be completed during day hours, Must provide tape off areas for safety while working. I think that is about it.

 

[Dale Walkowsk]

Is there skirting/framing on the river side or upright supports that need to be cleaned/stained...if not I think that if you bid over .45-.50 sq.ft. you won't get it ....they just want it stained..they probably have different expectations than a home owner as far as whats acceptable...the boardwalk isn't part of their home or a place to entertain.

 

[onecallpowerw]

Okay, times up. We won the bid @ $.73 according to the way we calculate our work profit vs. cost we would have not bid any lower than $.67 to make a profit. Unfortunatly, due to competitors we can not reveal the way we come up with our figures, but it would be interesting to see those that came in below $.67. Although I will understand if those do not reveal also.

Thanks to all that participated.

 

[Dale Walkowsk]

Hi Onecall,
The way I figured it was pretty well based in my imagination...a boardwalk 20' wide a quarter mile long...simple horizontal rail system...no stripping..clean/neut with a couple of water brooms and a couple of shurflos.....spray and backbrush with a broom...200 man/hr...$84./hr. gross at $.50/ft.. its hard to estimate without seeing.

 

[animal70X7]

Just curios, why those two choices of stain? I like Rymar and TWP. I would have charged more for using Rymar though, superior product (premiuim cost) company make 6 year warranty.

 

[onecallpowerw]

Wolman and Olympic is what we have used for years now. Most other products not avalible where we are located. Right now we are thinking about changing to Ready Seal or Wood Tux. Just trying to figure out which one has a better cover ratio.

 

[Mark]

We have many customers that will use nothing but Wolmans F&P.
LOL! That is the only sealer we sell so if they were looking for another brand they would probably not call us anyhow.

 

[onecallpowerw]

Hey Mark, your email was flawed. Could you please resend the MSDS Sheets ? I would appriciate it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mark]

Gordon,

You should have received the MSDS by Fax on Friday.
We will resend Monday.

 

[onecallpowerw]

Sorry, but did not receive by fax either. Hey, I know ya tried because I got that email saying it was skewed somehow. But look forward to it on Monday.

Also, could ya send through the mail a new catalog with prices ? I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[powerranger]

Hey guys,
Powerranger here in northern VA. I agree that it all depends on the job, but I will say however after being business for over 15 years that I have seen it all with prices regarding deck restoration. It seems to me that we should all shut down and go on to something else if we can't get at LEAST a $1.25 or so a square for deck work. I am so sick of the price cutting in the area by these wimps who hurt us all because they are too afraid to charge for what they do! I have another friend in the area that does this and is furious with the guys who do nothing but bad mouth each other and price cut to get work. My thing is this, do a great job, charge a fair price and that will start the ball rolling for you. Don't hurt everyone else because you have no idea what oyu are doing. We are all responsible to each other for the success and validity of our business!

 

[onecallpowerw]

Powerranger,

Are you saying quantity/volume does not matter in your business ? Are you saying that there should be no competition in business ? Are you talking price fixing ? Not to bust your bubble, but you have low ballers and you also have businessmen/women that make sense out of profit/loss and run their business that way and then you have the weekenders that just want to make a buck while cutting the professionals throat.

If you have to make $1.25 per square foot to make a profit on the job stated in this post, then you are doing something wrong. Either you have too much overhead, to much debt or something but you better start looking if you need that much for that much volume.

Not trying to start something here but I think you went kinda overboard on your speculation. Lowballers are lowballers and we all on this board know what they are, but then again you also have smart very decisive business men/women that know what they are doing or they would not be in business.

On the lighter side, if I can be of any help to you on cost containment or budgeting or anything, let me know. I have only been doin this for 8 years vs. your 15 but hey maybe new minds might be able to help ya. There is a roundtable meeting this Saturday 28th in Gaithersburg, Maryland for all DC Metropolitian area Power Washers. If you would like to attend let me know and I will get ya some info.

Nice to see a new face on the board.