What's your price? (for fun)

[jes25]

So, this guy calls me out of the yellow pages for an estimate. He wants exhaust fans for the attics of his apartments. 18 buildings with 10 "attics" in each separated by firewalls. Of course, I'm thinking why isn't he calling a roofer? He tells me he has 2 other prices from EC's. I didn't have much going (and I know a roofing contractor), so I go out there. He tells me that the other EC's proposed some sort of deal with air blowing in from the eaves or something like that. I end up telling him that won't work at all and he needs real attic power vents installed. So, my buddy gives me a price to install the fans he recommends

The job requires house panels to be installed to feed the fans. There are 400A Service disco's with meter banks on each end of the buildings that I plan to tap and add a small 3R panel with a house meter. From there pipe into the attic and loop the fans together. (I'm thinking 3-4 fans per circuit) Longest run maybe 250' through a series of walled off attics.

Here's how the proposal went:



39000 sub for roofing w/out any mark up
72000 to install 36 panels and connect 180 fans with romex

$111,000 Total

What's your price? High or Low?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Jes I can't even begin to estimate that especially without seeing the job. I didn't think those attic fans draw that much so I am thinking you could have more than 4 fans on a cir.

Here is one from Graingers

Attic Ventilator, Thermostatically Controlled Roof Mount, Voltage 120, 60 Hz, 1/6 HP, 2.5 Amps, 285 Watts, 1330 RPM, 1500 CFM @ 0.030-In. SP, Max. Attic Area (Sq.-Ft.) 2100, Free Air Intake Required (Sq.-Ft.) 5, Dome Dia. (In.) 24, Dome Material Weatherwood Steel, Thermostat Temp. (Deg. F) 60 to 120, Includes Thermostat, Thermally Protected Motor

 

[Rewire]

solar fans 62000.00
roofer 30000.00
install 18000.00
totoal 1000000.00

 

[jes25]

solar fans 62000.00
roofer 30000.00
install 18000.00
totoal 1,000,000.00

Rewire, you would propose solar fans? Funny, cause my buddy joked "I'll just sell them solar fans and cut you right out of the deal"

Your math doesn't add up....or is the extra 890,000 just your mark up?

 

[jes25]

J I didn't think those attic fans draw that much so I am thinking you could have more than 4 fans on a cir.

Your almost certainly correct. On these jobs, sometimes I just figure worst case scenario. If the customer wanted to pay me or an architect to do the design, that would be different.

 

[Rewire]

throw in a government rebate for the solar and seal the deal.

 

[kwired]

solar fans 62000.00
roofer 30000.00
install 18000.00
totoal 1000000.00

I would have no problem beating your total by $1.00 or even by say $100K if that is what it takes to win the job:lol:

Quite frankly even though it would mean no electrical work, I would likely suggest they check into natural ventilation system unless it is impractical for some reason. Anything mechanical will have maintenance costs also. People like you when you look out for their best interest and it may pay off sometime down the road.

 

[Daja7]

solar fans 62000.00
roofer 30000.00
install 18000.00
totoal 1000000.00

Although i think $110,000.00 is what you meant. this is a great thought. sometimes you just have to think out of the box. Make your mark up shift liability and risk and you just manage.
Customer would love it because no additional power bill and problem solved, easy sell.

Though some solars still have the option for electricalif the sun dont shine it is not required.