How much does this cost?
We’ve been working hard getting bids from subs. The prices have been all over the board. The biggest change however over the past two years is the willingness for subs to negotiate their prices. Our plan is to make sure we have at least two bids for each trade, pick a sub and see how we can do with pricing. A good example of this is our electrical category. I’ll be purchasing all the fixtures myself through a local electrical supply store to avoid further mark up on fixtures, but we have three bids for electrical labor – $17k, $21k and $35k. This is a fairly large difference in pricing. The highest bidder also has the most exclusions in his price. It’s very important to read all the exclusions. Subs will often include in their exclusions items that are on the plans and even noted to be included – this can be especially confusing when installation happens and you notice you’re not getting what you expected. With this kind of market, I have a feeling I can offer the job to the lowest sub at $15k and I’m fairly confident he’ll happily take it.
Another big savings so far is windows. Companies encourage architects to use their products by offering discounts. If the product is for the architect’s own use, the discount can be more. Because of this discount process we’re able to afford Marvin Windows – which in my opinion is the best wood clad aluminum window we have access to in the pacific northwest. To sweeten the deal further, Marvin will extend another nearly 30% discount if we have a public tour of the house. Luckily, I’m a part of the local 11xdesign collective, so I can assure this will happen. The entire window package is now at $32k for Marvin’s Ultimate Casement. This casement window offers an opening 42″ wide x 96″ tall – the largest casement window on the market. Marvin also threw in the Low-e 366 coating – click here to learn more.
As the final numbers come in, I’ll post about the numbers, what they mean and how we intend to handle them.
Tags: bidding
August 27th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Interesting. Looks like the bids are coming in very reasonable. Question though: do you feel comfortable accepting a low bid from someone you’ve never worked with before? We’re trying to secure bids that are “close enough” to the lowest submitted but from firms my architect has worked with before.
Also, the Marvin windows look good! I don’t even have the *choice* of what windows to use because there is only one manufacturer (Marlin) that can meet Washington’s energy code right now with the amount of glass we have.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I would consider a low bid with good references from other people. A low bid doesn’t necessarily mean ‘cheap’. Could mean someone who is starting their own business, or someone who just lost a big job and is scrambling to fill a hole. You might find one of the non-lower bidders might be willing to match the lower bidder’s numbers.
What is the energy code in WA for windows? We’re a U.35. I thought seriously about Marlin…we use them a lot, but I decided the energy loss and extra cost wasn’t worth it. Marvin will work out o.k. in my instance. The windows on the fourth floor are 10′ tall (floor to ceiling) x 5′ wide and the casements they are making now can be as large as 42″x96″. The larger units will be in the U.28 – U.30 range. If I had some glazed two story spaces, I’d probably use Marlin though.
August 27th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I believe ours is .35 as well. I am doing two story glazing so yeah, the Marlins were the only choice. Aluminum casement.
August 28th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Marlin’s are great.
I don’t know what we’re going to do when the energy code changes the U value again. I’ve hear rumors in the U.20 range within the next 2 years here in Oregon.
August 28th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Marlin’s are great.
I don’t know what we’re going to do when the energy code changes the U value again. I’ve hear rumors in the U.20 range within the next 2 years here in Oregon.
May 19th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
I believe ours is .35 as well. I am doing two story glazing so yeah, the Marlins were the only choice. Aluminum casement.