How to quote

[Weldworx]

Hi guys just joined, I'm currently working for an engineering company as a welder fabricator but I've been asked to do a bit of work on the side by family friends etc it's basically gates and railings etc how do you guys quote for galvanising and powder coating

Thanks, Niki

 

[BrokenBiker]

find out how much it would cost to have it done and then put a bit on top to cover your time...you are only going to know how much these things cost if you find someone to do it and get a price from them...

when i make things for family and friends i find the price of materials, extra costs if it involves anything like paint, galv etc and any consumable i will be using (rods, wire, gas etc) and then usually just add some beer money on top to cover the time it takes...

if i were doing this as a living though i would set myself an hourly rate and work from that but if its just the odd job here and there its not really worth charging a lot as you wont get any work in the future

 

[F.J.]

Galvanising prices actually go off the weight of the item you have made. When you price your steel, ask the supplier for the total weight of the order and multiply it by what ever your local galvanisers charge. For my powder coating I have to tell them the dimensions and what it is made of so they can quote me.
Depending on the job, it either gets worked out on an hourly basis or a day rate. Everything I spend money on to complete the job ie, steel, galv, powder coating, rods, gas, wire, diesel etc.... gets added to the bill with a certain % mark up on it all.
Not to rain on your parade but you may find friends and family wont expect to pay what you are worth and wont care about the blood sweat and tears you've shed to do the job for them. They just want it done cheap and will ask you thinking that's what they'll get. I learnt that the hard way
Good luck though

 

[brightspark]

a big tip don't do jobs for friends .they expect it for next to nowt and still whine when your done. if u do do it tell em to get a proper price 1st and then see if u can beat it -

 

[Spark plug]

a big tip don't do jobs for friends .they expect it for next to nowt and still whine when your done. if u do do it tell em to get a proper price 1st and then see if u can beat it -

Don't forget the lifetime guarantee.

 

[Weldworx]

Thanks for the replies I understood from my day job that the price of galv goes on weight but I'm not going to know what the weight is until it's all made up and weighed at the galv to quote my customers but like you aid I could get the weight of the steel when purchasing from my steel stockists

Thanks again

 

[Daz1968]

We have galvanising done at work, they usually have a minimum charge as well so you may need to take that into consideration. There also can be a variable zinc surcharge. Best bet is to contact a local galvanising company and discuss a contract with them.

 

[cianh91]

Best way Iv found is is talk to your steel supplier see if they offer a galv service
The place I use for some of my small jobs send a load once a week so saves paying the minimum charge as they send a couple a ton at a time
Painting is handy price paint and consumables +hours(how many pints you want out of it )
Powder coating is best get quotes from all the local places and ask around bout how good each place is no point going with the cheapest if it's poor quality people paying the extra for powder want quality

 

[Kent]

There is a weight per meter chart for all the common sections box. Bars plate etc.

Every fab shop should have one. It was originally British standards

Mine is on a desktop tab on the laptop. Never mind galv costs you need to know for handling purposes.

Pricing for powder coat is as simple as sending a drawing to the coaters as it's more than size and weight
Mark it up sell it on

Oh
A friend in need is a pain in the ass when it comes to buisness
Also a good way to loose money and wait a long time for payment to boot

Just to add it takes time and fuel to run stuff around and galv needs deburring and lumps taking off more time again