Bidding my first 3 story Apartment

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PatrickGustafson

New member
Hello,
I am bidding my first apartment complex and could use some guidance! In total there are (9) three story buildings totaling 119,889 Sq ft. I can not find anyone willing to give up any info as to price per Sq. Ft. on building exterior washing around the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Also, anyone that has done apartments before please feel free to help with any tips/info that could make things go smooth and quickly. If I were to do this as a single man job what would you roughly estimate for time realistically. From what I understand its a rinse to knock off dirt and atmospheric contaminates on a year old complex. Once I clarify i'll just calculate out my chemical needs. Any help and advice is greatly appreciated!!

Patrick

Coastal Property Services,LLC

Still trying to get signature and logo on here as soon as I can
 
Do you have the equipment to reach the highest point without much trouble (will you need a lift)?

This is just a ballpark to work from so your specific details may change the outcome.

Hours/building(+1) x # of buildings x hourly rate + other expenses.

Example: 4 hours per building (+1) = 5 x 9 x $150 + $0.00 = $6,750

Obviously, if you can do it faster or cheaper, then the total will be lower.

Don't overbid yourself out of a job, but don't underbid either. You have to determine the numbers that work for you.

Many feel insurance is important taking on a job this size... you covered?
 
How many units (Doors) per building? How many breezeways per building? Are you cleaning concrete in breezeways? Are there patios? Are you including patios in bid? Lift or Ladder?

Sq. Ft. does not compute with me, I need to see the building.

Off the top of my head it takes us 3-4 (8 hr) days, 4 workers running 4 eight (8) gpm machines to complete a job like this.

Your Results May Vary......Big Time.
 
Guy Blackmon said:
How many units (Doors) per building? How many breezeways per building? Are you cleaning concrete in breezeways? Are there patios? Are you including patios in bid? Lift or Ladder?

Sq. Ft. does not compute with me, I need to see the building.

Off the top of my head it takes us 3-4 (8 hr) days, 4 workers running 4 eight (8) gpm machines to complete a job like this.

Your Results May Vary......Big Time.
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I agree. I also now understand why I was tired on the last three story town home complex we did. 64 doors, two guys (one kind of old and decrepid), two and a half days. I like your numbers better :)
 
Timothy said:
I like your numbers better :)
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That's because we've been washing them, and 7 other Communities almost set up just like them every year for 4 years now. There's no surprises, no variables, everybody knows what to do and how to do it.

I hear ya Tim, we've got an old decrepid Guy that helps out too........;)


Patrick, maybe some one will chime in but.........I can't tell you what to charge for 1 Man & 1 Machine to do this job, or how long it will take. Too many questions and not enough answers.

Good Luck Though!
 
I remember when i bid my first complex. total of six buildings. the fronts were easy but all of them had the daylight basement in the back, every one of them had a deck that had to be accessed by a ladder. Ill tell you what, after climbing over 40something rails i will never make that mistake again Those rakes on the roof were no picnic either. keep all that in mind when bidding those..
 
I bid a large apartment complex yesterday. They wanted all the sidewalks and curbing washed, and about 10-15 wooden retaining walls. They said last time they had it done, it took a crew of about 4 guys about week to do. Probably would have taken about a month for me to do on my own. Wasn't really sure how often price it, so I asked the office girls there if I could get an idea of the range of the other bids. They said about $3000. I couldn't believe it. I would have thought at least $6000. Had to tell them I couldn't come close to that.

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$1 per linear ft. per floor as a base. Example, a building 120 x 50 would be 120+120+50+50=340, 340x3=1020/building. Then like Guy said need to see the building to take into account lift and rental, staircases, and other areas that will cost more labor. Square footage does notwork for me either on houses or buildings.
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JDhomeservices said:
I bid a large apartment complex yesterday. They wanted all the sidewalks and curbing washed, and about 10-15 wooden retaining walls. They said last time they had it done, it took a crew of about 4 guys about week to do. Probably would have taken about a month for me to do on my own. Wasn't really sure how often price it, so I asked the office girls there if I could get an idea of the range of the other bids. They said about $3000. I couldn't believe it. I would have thought at least $6000. Had to tell them I couldn't come close to that.

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I hope you still put in a bid. no matter what they say still put it in.
 
Property managers and HOA's are not always impressed by a complicated bid. The simpler the better for both you and them. Look at all that needs to be done. Figure how long it will take. Figure in all of your costs, ( fuel, chems, labor etc... ). Now figure in what you will be happy walking away with ( net ). The easiest way I have ever found to bid a big project and one that is the least confusing is to charge so much per unit. Work your numbers per unit until you reach an amount that will work for both parties. Example: 60 units X's $50.00 per= $3000.00 . Also include a good description of what you will be doing for them and add in a couple features and benifits to your method of cleaning versus another company... Again, this does not need to be an essay. People get bored reading too much detal. You will find that you are saving yourself a bunch of time and you will be providing them with a bid that's easy to understand.
 
JDhomeservices said:
I bid a large apartment complex yesterday. They wanted all the sidewalks and curbing washed, and about 10-15 wooden retaining walls. They said last time they had it done, it took a crew of about 4 guys about week to do. Probably would have taken about a month for me to do on my own. Wasn't really sure how often price it, so I asked the office girls there if I could get an idea of the range of the other bids. They said about $3000. I couldn't believe it. I would have thought at least $6000. Had to tell them I couldn't come close to that.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
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JD, this is because 4 Men & Machines work faster than 1 Man & 1 Machine. Price is lower because labor is lower, job is getting done faster and profit is still being made.

Think of it this way...it's like comparing Wal-Mart to a Mom & Pop....
 
dave mac said:
I have never done one and am very curious, what does doors have to do with it????

thanks
dave
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The door/unit count transposes into such things as entry doors, porches, patios, decks, stairways, windows, chimineys, etc. Of course, the size of the units is also important.

Bidding based on a generic price per SF or LF will not work. You'll either be too high and not get the job, or worse - too low and lose money.
 
Guy Blackmon said:
JD, this is because 4 Men & Machines work faster than 1 Man & 1 Machine. Price is lower because labor is lower, job is getting done faster and profit is still being made.

Think of it this way...it's like comparing Wal-Mart to a Mom & Pop....
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So, let's say you have 4 guys making $10 an hour x 40 hours= $1600. And say $80 a day for gas and diesel to run four machines? $400. So that leaves $1000 profit for a week? Not bad, but you could make that washing a couple houses and roofs.

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JDhomeservices said:
So, let's say you have 4 guys making $10 an hour x 40 hours= $1600. And say $80 a day for gas and diesel to run four machines? $400. So that leaves $1000 profit for a week? Not bad, but you could make that washing a couple houses and roofs.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
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Then add in your insurances, your advertising, your phone bill, taxes, wear and tear on vehicles, chemicals, add all that up and you made a total of $6 an hour.
 
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