average parts/labor ratio for pros?

I was looking at having some work done on some houses. Gererally speaking, what's the ratio of parts -vs- labor in the building trades?

Typical inprovements I'm looking at include electrical, plumbing and carpentry.

Reply to
grasshopper
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grasshopper wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

There is no relationship between parts and labor. It depends entirely on how much work is involved and how much the parts cost. Keep in mind that the pro is going to sell you the parts at a profit, so their earnings are not just from labor.

One job might be 90% parts, 10% labor, and another job might be 10% parts,

90% labor.
Reply to
Anagram

Where we are in New England, plumbers and electricians run $65 to $80. The carpenter we used was only $40 but that was exceptional, most are $50.

As for ratio of parts versus labor, that is so dependent on the work it is impossible to give a ratio. I recently paid 200 hours of electrical labor with NO material cost at all Last week I paid 2 hours of labor but had $3500 in material.

Reply to
Edwin Pawlowski

It typically ranges from about 10% vs 90% to about 90% vs 10%, although some jobs it will fall outside those ratios.

Reply to
Robert Allison

Here are 2 time-proven methods for calculating the ratio of parts -vs- labor:

- To estimate the ratio of parts -vs- labor:

Get an estimate for the job, broken down by parts and labor, and then estimate the ratio of parts -vs- labor.

- To get the exact ratio of parts -vs- labor:

Get the final bill for the job, broken down by parts and labor, and then determine the ratio of parts -vs- labor.

Hope that helps.

Reply to
DerbyDad03

"grasshopper" wrote

Totally dependant on the job as the others have said, but here's what I've found is not too far off.

Electrical, parts usually a minor portion of the cost. A switch that costs

1.50$ can cost 40$ to have installed (or more).

Plumbing, part vs labor tends to be a bit closer even if installing a sink/tub/toilet but all bets are off on that if replacing or fixing pipes.

Carpentry tends to the other way with parts often being more than the labor but again, depends on the job type.

How about try listing some samples of what you are getting done for a better answer?

Reply to
cshenk

the time of the year matters, at least around here. at times more folks are fixing up their homes.

Reply to
hallerb

wrote

True on quite a few items! I got back stateside in OCT2007 and wood was more than it is now for simple reason of season. I have another load due in next week for about 1/3 the price. Chimney cleaning also dropped in price (who thinks to have it done in AUG?).

Reply to
cshenk

The question is irrelavent to understanding work, each job is unique and has to be seen that way. it can be 100-1 or 1-100 depending on job needed.

Reply to
ransley

My experience has been that parts for plumbing are the least expensive, then electrical more expensive, and wood the most expensive.

But this could easily switch around! Say that instead of replacing a drain pipe with a plastic drain pipe (materials inexpensive), you are installing a new bathtub with the kind that has water jets. Well the cost of the bathtub would be way up there in relation to the labor.

Same with electrical. You could be installing a bare light bulb fixture - takes 10 minutes and the fixture costs $3. Or you could be installing an outdoor commercial high pressure sodium fixture - takes 10 minutes and the fixture costs $450.

Reply to
Bill

Ok.

One job entails removing the skin from a doublewide modular home and replacing it with 5/8" T111 (46 sheets).

Another job -- building new 8' x 14' deck.

Another job -- installing new 20A, 220V circuit breaker and running

10/2 w/ground in flexible conduit for 25 feet and install a 20A, 220V A/C plug. Conduit must go thru a concrete wall and then under the kitchen cabinet (requires tearing out floor of kitchen cabinet and then rebuild).
Reply to
grasshopper

Another job entails painting the above.

Reply to
grasshopper

Is this not why you get quotes take the one you like whats your ratio for work done versus sitting at you job . But some of these others are right depends on the job . Always makes me laugh when some one ask me to justify what I charge can you do it , then you pay me to do it . When I need you to do whatever I pay you .

Reply to
jim

Labor and haulage of the old material will be higher than price of the goods. Significant reduction in price if you can take down at least the easily reached portions. We did that when we had old wood shingles taken off and vinyl put up.

Rental unit? T1-11 has it's up and down sides. Bad in termite country (why we resided in vinyl here, shingles got infested). You can try to force a renter to keep up a termite policy but it's better to add it to the unit cost if you are in a high hazard area. Has to be scraped, primed, and painted every 7-10 years (climate dependant). It's also hard to damage it if kept up with a good moisture seal paint and primer. Vinyl gets damaged along the base by lawnmowers when it's a rental unit. Not as easy to pressure wash as they say either but easier by far to just wash down with a big sponge than to scrape and repaint. Having a professional scrape and repaint is fairly pricey but not too hideous. About break even in the long run between both with more initial outlay for vinyl and less follow-up costs later. Rentals normally go with T1-11.

Wood costs will equal or exceed labor. Be really sure they use the right wood. Many hack jobs out there that look great when first built but look awful in 2-3 years and require extensive repair at the base within 5. A no-name starter company willing to use the best wood (you eat the difference in cost) is fine here. If you have a truck and they are willing, you can significantly reduce the cost by going with them and picking up the wood. One of my favorite handymen works for cheap, does a great job, but doesnt drive. I either have to add delivery costs, or drive him over and help get the materials. 100$ a day and well able to make a deck. 8' x 14' would take him about 3 days. His 'day' is about 6 hours and no, you cant have him (grin). Quality work at a good price.

Until you hit the cabinet tear out it was all gonna be labor. If you have to replace the kitchen cabinets to do this, parts will have a play. I dont know enough to even estimate this one but it will not be cheap. It's gonna probably be a multi-people job there.

Putting in a new electric stove perchance where there was a gas or propane one?

Reply to
cshenk

"grasshopper" wrote

Labor definately but the initial job when it's not going to have to have old paint scraped off, isnt too bad. Just do not get cheap and try to go with a paint that is also a primer at the same time. You'll be paying to have it redone in 3 years if you go that route. Ask the guys here about that if you do not believe me. Some folks in my area got rooked that way with a cheap company. They said 'oh it's a new product and it works great'. Yeah, right... They dont have leaves, they have paint flakes blowing about the yard!

First painting is normally package dealed with the install and the same team usually does both. It's usually cheaper to do it that way but it doesnt hurt to price shop a bit.

Reply to
cshenk

There is no ratio. What you want is the work done right the first time. So long as someone doesn't charge you $200 for ten minutes worth of work, whatever seems fair to fix your problem is in line.

Doing the homework to know what the going rate is falls upon you. If one guy wants $20, and one wants $50 an hour, you must figure out what the difference is, and if it's worth it. There is no cut and dried ruler.

Unless, of course, you're talking to a cardiologist, lawyer, dentist, or brain surgeon. My heart surgeon charged $42,000 for 8.5 hours. He was worth it in my mind.

Steve

Reply to
SteveB

So, your answer is yes, no, definitely, maybe, always, and never?

Steve ;-)

Reply to
SteveB

Exactly!

Reply to
Robert Allison

Great minds think alike.

Reply to
SteveB

Kitchen A/C. I think an electric stove requires 30 amp ratings......

Reply to
grasshopper

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