estimate for a job

[rickal]

question; I live in the New England area of USA, I have yet to purchase a flat rate manual and was asked for a quote for installing a deadbolt on a metal door that has to have the hole bored. Can someone help me out with that? Please?

[Romstar]

$45.00 call out fee, which includes the first 30 minutes. Retail value of the lock, unless you feel like offering a discount. $35.00 per hour after that.

Make sure you have bi-metal hole saws, or you are in for a lot of pain.

Romstar

[CaptHook]

Another tip about the hole saws, stop every so often, and/or use a coolant on the saw. You can create enough heat to discolor and sometimes even bubble the painted surfaces.
Chuck

[vector40]

Just out of curiosity, Rom, how do you handle partial hours? Do you round up, down, or just charge the fraction?

[Romstar]

Another tip about the hole saws, stop every so often, and/or use a coolant on the saw. You can create enough heat to discolor and sometimes even bubble the painted surfaces.
Chuck

Glad you added that Chuck, you are exactly right.

I use a spray bottle with mine, but anything will work. A cutting lubricant can also be very useful, and I have gone that route on a few doors that were harder or thicker than I normally work with.

Romstar

[Romstar]

Just out of curiosity, Rom, how do you handle partial hours? Do you round up, down, or just charge the fraction?

I'm going to get lambasted for this, but I always charge by the 1/4 hour. Especially for residential.

Commercial and industrial are different matters. They are alwyas rounded up to the nearest hour unless it is a contract job with a pre agreed price.

Romstar

[Varjeal]

I also charge by the quarter hour, though my rates are a bit different but definitely in the same ballpark...here's how I do it.

$40 Service call, retail price of the deadbolt (I only sell Grade two or better.)

In my case $42 for the deadbolt and $20 install. The only time the install price varies is for special/unusual circumstances such as odd locations, etc...then it's all by the hour.

I flat rate all my work with the exception of certain automotive and safe work. I find it's easier for the customer to understand that way.

Don't forget to ask the customer if they want the deadbolt keyed the same as the rest of their locks (they most likely will.) Since I've supplied the lock I do basic keying to the customers key for free. If it needs to be mastered then I charge $5 extra to do that.

[Zoooooble]

Just a quick note on the bimetal hole saws:

Make sure you drill slowly. For steel, you should be going around 150 rpm. You'll know you're going to fast if you hear a high pitch whine. If you're at the right speed for the saw, you should have a pretty quiet cut.

(I mean, quiet as in not ear-piercing. If you feel like you should be wearing ear protection, you're going too fast).

[rickal]

Thanks to all for the reply. It is greatly appreceated!

[chopitup]

It's also good for the bit to keep it cool. If the bit overheats, it will lose its edge. Whenever using bits on metal always make sure you cool it somehow, or at least let the bit air cool for a short time when drilling.