when bidding larger scale work?

Just bid a Wal-Mart upgrade to a Super Wal-Mart. The typical 3 phases for parking lot resurfacing and the store will remain open throughout. I bid almost $20K. I am sure I won't get it but if someone wants to make that many mobilizatinos and deal with the specifics of such a job for less, they can have it. I am in business to make money and provide a quality service - not to do work cheaply or to do cheap work.

Just bid a Wal-Mart upgrade to a Super Wal-Mart. The typical 3 phases for parking lot resurfacing and the store will remain open throughout. I bid almost $20K. I am sure I won't get it but if someone wants to make that many mobilizatinos and deal with the specifics of such a job for less, they can have it. I am in business to make money and provide a quality service - not to do work cheaply or to do cheap work.

Quote from: Don on Yesterday at 09:52:08 AM PLEASE: don't post these type things here about specifics on pricing. There are property managers and other "consumers" who read these forums too. Prices vary a lot depending on the location, the condition of the pavement, etc. so it would be easy for someone to get the idea someone was overcharging them when in their market it was actually a low price. Thanks In my opinion the posting of this kind of information is very important, especially to newbies, as well as seasoned veterans and even the consumer. The "consumer" of a service will learn the "value" of that service one way and only one way. By doing their homework where they are buying the service and making a wise choice for their application. If they feel cheated later on after seeing a price here on PLP, they can easily learn the true value of the service by shopping around the next time. The pricing issue is complicated when a service business operator also has a discussion group forum. The marketing of the business using the forum and posting of price information could then be a problem for the business. Catch 22 IMHO. There is plenty of good that can come from pricing information, had I known more here in my market I could have earned more on a regular basis and still would have been very competitive. I did not get work because I was too low. I have a low overhead in my market and make a very good profit, yet the price differences were enough to be considered a risk.

Censorship in the striping forum Don?. H Stern's hair would curl. More. No I'm not a fan. Good point sdstriper, it would be a catch 22. Location and market amoung other things obviously do come in to play. Thanks to those who replied. And if you're wondering, I stripped it for $800, which I thought high. He jumped on it and wants me to stripe his next construction. I'll cut him some slack on the next one, especially after veiwing the UPFRONT posts you'all contributed.

you stripped it or striped it? Sounds like a good price, just like sealing potential clients do need to be aware there are fly by nights out there that water paint and water sealer , spray one coat of sealer and are cheaper.

Striped. My bad

The problem is, as you said, a catch-22. But it's best to err on the side of caution and is in no way censorship. These forums have a built-in private messaging system, there is always good old e-mail, etc. if someone wants to get into specifics. That's why having some info in your profile is a good idea, so other stripers know who they are talking to and where. Overcharged or undercharged there are many, many visitors here that never register or post. This and the NPCA forums are by far the two highest traffic sites in the pavement industry. If you saw from the "backside" the number of visitors, "views" and overall traffic here compared to the number of posters you'd have a better idea. Specifics can give a wrong impression either way. Just as the above post indicated he scared some people by underbidding, as easily a property owner or manager might feel they were being overcharged and a striper with a very fair price for their market could lose work. That's why specifics are best left alone out here in the "public" world of the Internet and discussed in detail in PM's or other communications.

"what are some of the highs & lows you have seen Wal-Marts go for?" and larger scale jobs

we done a new Sam's in Dec of 2004 our final invoice was around 15,000.00 they like the lines shot 2 times to meet the 15 mil thickness. pain in the butt, will not do anymore of them.

I do not know what they pay for entire lot but did 210 stalls nose to nose and 5 H.C.stalls with islands for 550.00.They restripe the lots on line drivers with air machines and go so fast they do not care how bad the work looks as long as the paint hits the ground.When we did it they were having a regrand opening and needed it done asap and the company that does them yearly could not get there in time.We did a good job and straight lines thinking we might get there local work,but we were told did not have a chance with are pricing.

Quote from: Cheney on Yesterday at 09:59:15 PM I do not know what they pay for entire lot but did 210 stalls nose to nose and 5 H.C.stalls with islands for 550.00.They restripe the lots on line drivers with air machines and go so fast they do not care how bad the work looks as long as the paint hits the ground.When we did it they were having a regrand opening and needed it done asap and the company that does them yearly could not get there in time.We did a good job and straight lines thinking we might get there local work,but we were told did not have a chance with are pricing. My guess is you are more than double what they pay the riding/airspray guy. Montana plates on his truck, anyone know him?

Quote from: BandE on Yesterday at 08:06:22 PM "what are some of the highs & lows you have seen Wal-Marts go for?" and larger scale jobs Recent new layout super WM, was told the winning bid was 10K, I was over that by 4K more on it.

There ain't no way I'm working that cheap 210 stalls and 5 handi caps for 550?

sdstriper wrote on Mar 13, 2006:Go to #31

from: Cheney on Yesterday at 09:59:15 PM I do not know what they pay for entire lot but did 210 stalls nose to nose and 5 H.C.stalls with islands for 550.00.They restripe the lots on line drivers with air machines and go so fast they do not care how bad the work looks as long as the paint hits the ground.When we did it they were having a regrand opening and needed it done asap and the company that does them yearly could not get there in time.We did a good job and straight lines thinking we might get there local work,but we were told did not have a chance with are pricing.

Just bid a Wal-Mart upgrade to a Super Wal-Mart. The typical 3 phases for parking lot resurfacing and the store will remain open throughout. I bid almost $20K. I am sure I won't get it but if someone wants to make that many mobilizatinos and deal with the specifics of such a job for less, they can have it. I am in business to make money and provide a quality service - not to do work cheaply or to do cheap work.