Hi everyone! Questions about bids - ok - you have a finish that is $15 a square foot including products. How do you list things ourside of that - like if you need to rent scaffolding, travel more than an hour to the job site, the cost of shipping the product, etc. In all my classes I heard that you include the extras in your bid but how do you list it and when the client asks about the fee, explain it? When a client asks how much a certain finish is and I say $15 a square foot, they assume that they won't be charged any more? Help - I'm afraid I'll be losing money! Your expertise is appreciated!
Thanks!
Artistic Finishes - Suzanne Gardner

Hi Suzanne,

I have responded in a PM to you, as this portion of our forum is public. Great questions though.

This is simple and you can start with this if it helps.

One of the most important aspects of bidding is to provide your client with the information regarding what you are doing and why. This way, as you say, nothing is assumed.

Other questions about extra travel, consultation charges, equipment, shipping etc. is based on how you come up with your sq. ft. bid. Some jobs have no prep work others are weeks of prep work. Some jobs require overnight shipping depending on the job scheduling. You may discount for some things and add for others like any business. Pricing per square foot could be different on each job using the same product because every job is different.

It may be an extra cost if you have to drive 1000 or 50 miles than you normally do, if you are working 10000 or over 9 feet in the air, if you have to rent a mule and a cart to get up a mountain to get to the job! My point with this rationality is, this is a rare art form and not a production type application. Intense and physical application based on your hand and the art of decoration. Your client will be impressed that you have considered all aspects of the job to achieve your goals.

Be honest with yourself and your clients. Go above and beyond their expectations and do something extra outside the bid. Clean the windows, run a fresh coat of paint on the trim. You probably do all of this and more, every applicator here is very good at what they do and it goes back to the products we are using.

Suzanne try logging into the trained Safra applicator forums. There we discuss technical issues, job help, tips and techniques and other related plaster issues.This forum is generally used for announcements.
Just post if you have a problem getting into the trained safra applicator forums someone will guide you through it. See ya there!

Good questions.

Vallie