Pricing a job in the North West

[drunkenrockmonkey]

I have just got back in to site plastering after a 8 year break and have just priced a 155m2 D&D & skim job using Laxton's costing books.
The contractor said the price was way to high so looking for a realistic guide price if possible.
I have been living and working in London doing small private jobs so have lost track of current site prices.
Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[joe-90]

How much do you want per day and how many days will it take you? Isn't that the bottom line?

 

[drunkenrockmonkey]

I have tried to work that out but obviously i can't charge the same day rate as i did in London
Also as the work i have been doing was on a smaller scale.
To be honest i'm just not sure of the going rate for trades based up north.
I know i can't charge the same as i did in London and everyone i speak to up here tells me how much cheaper everything is up here including labour cost.

 

[trowelmonkey1]

i thought site work was based on sq. metres? i avoid site work ersonally but a spread i work with down here in Oxfordshire says that he get around £4 per metre as the going rate for skimming.

 

[drunkenrockmonkey]

I thought skimming should come in around £4-5 m2 but not quite sure about dabbing.
The way i think joe is trying to say is day rate divided by m2 plastered per day would give you the rate per m2.
So say £200 per day divided by 25m2 D&D and skim would give you a rate of £8 per m2 if i'm correct.
The problem is the price you want is never the price the main contractor wants to pay.

 

[joe-90]

I guess the trade off is the main contractor may keep you in work for long periods. Earn less but work more. I don't think £200 per day is realistic for regular work.

 

[drunkenrockmonkey]

Sorry the £200 thing was just a general figure.
If the £4 to £5 is the going rate then the costing books are well out of proportion to the going rate.
I won't print here what the listed price is for D&D but when i spoke to the main contractor he just abut laughed in my face.
So if the £4 mark is about right for skim how about D&D?