The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Sun Sep 12, 2004 7:47 am**

hello all
I'm just starting out on my own after 20 years working for a large tarmac company ,I've got all the kit and i'm raring to go! but could do with a little help on the pricing side, are there any price guidelines to help me on my way, i want to give a fair price but want to earn as well, how do you work out your profit after taking into account 2 trucks ,3 men ,bobcat,roller ,handtools, etc. for instance if i was doing a driveway and it took 20 ton of base,10ton of topping what would be a fair price. (west wales area)

Posted: **Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:27 pm**

This is something you have to work out for yourself. Each contractor has to take into account what the local competition is charging, and then determine if this is enough for them to be profitable, and whether it's worth undercutting everyone else.

No other contractor is going to come and tell you how to set up your pricing regime - you have to do this for yourself. that's what makes us contractors. You could hire a QS to help you learn the basics, and you could consults tomes such as Spons and see what silly numbers that come up with, but, at the end of the day, the best advice I can give is that you break down the work into as many individual components as possible, quantify and cost the materials, add the labour, make an allowance for plant and tools, and then whack on your profit, which, bear in mind, has to cover your running costs, insurances, admin, beer money, etc.

There is no set formula for doing this - if there was, we'd all be charging the same price!

The Brew Cabin

Getting the price right