Low Balled? or just luck in the past

[highland]

Lately we have lost a few bids that has me wondering if my pricing is way off.
For the past 1 1/2 years we have been fortunate enough to win several large townhome community bids. I based my pricing off of my overhead, desired profit, expences and payroll and what I thought the job was worth. Since we got the jobs I assumed we were in the ballpark with other bidders.
Recently we lost two major bids for similar townhome communities. At one, the HOA told me that I was high bidder by more than $15,000, and at the other we were high bidder by over $25,000.
Both communities are made up of the standard 2 story buildings with 6 units in each building. The bid included washing all buildings, the concrete 10x10 patio on each unit, the 3x12 front porch on each and the 4x10 sidewalk on each.
On the bid where I was $25000 high, it also included the public sidewalk throughout the community and the driveways on approxamately 1/3 of the units.
When I broke the prices down by the square foot, it worked out that the winning bid was
less than 7cent per sq/ft for one community and under 5cent per sq/ft at the other.
I don't think I could make a profit doing these at this price, so my question is:
Are these close to normal sq/ft pricing for townhome communities in the Carolinas? Or did I just run into a couple of low ballers?
If it is a normal pricing structure, I need to re-evaluate my cost!

Thanks

[A-PLUS]

I don't what the sq ft price would be. Most, bid per unit.

My bid is normally the highest by alot. I rarely get the job.

[JL Pressure]

I've been low and I've been high on bidding and my prices are always about the same per unit. Pricing is all over the place these days and its usually on the low end. I have lost jobs where I was double the price and I have lost jobs where I was just $50 dollars more on the same exact type townhome buildings. It all depends on who's bidding and often at times what management company

What was your sq ft price on concrete? I have seen it $.05 - $.015 over that in this area forget it. I would not do it for the low end price on sidewalks and I've seen lower than that believe it or not. If your bid is $25K more I have a feeling you are way over the $.15.

I used to do a big contract 15 different properties, the guy that got most of this year did it at almost 48% of my lowest rate. Good thing I think he went broke doing them at that price, because he called and backed out of several properties he had left to do. I heard he's working at a full time job now and does PWing on the side. Good thing because he obviously has no clue
Its a jungle out there, welcome to the jungle

[highland]

What was your sq ft price on concrete? I have seen it $.05 - $.015 over that in this area forget it. I would not do it for the low end price on sidewalks and I've seen lower than that believe it or not. If your bid is $25K more I have a feeling you are way over the $.15.

I was $.10 on the concrete.

[JL Pressure]

I was $.10 on the concrete.

Thats a OK price for sure. How were you over by $25K? on the building price?

[highland]

There are a lot of buildings, very large community and they bid under $.05 on everything including the concrete. This also included the public area sidewalks that run along the street.

[A-PLUS]

There's a difference when Jeff bids on something and I bid on the same thing. He can send 6 guys, 4 or 5 machines and knock it out in three days. He's still out bidding on jobs and getting more work for his guys. Me on the other hand, will send 2 or 3 guys, 2 or 3 machines and be on site working. I have to charge more because I not out getting more work at that time.

[JL Pressure]

There are a lot of buildings, very large community and they bid under $.05 on everything including the concrete. This also included the public area sidewalks that run along the street.

I've seen it 3, 4, 5 cents before, they make pennies but for some of these guys its more than the check they got from there fulltime jobs before they were laid off. Most don't stay in business, some learn and a few survive on the pennies they make. Usually their quality MIGHT be OK, but then goes down as they try to speed up or cut corners to make a few extra pennies. Its a jungle out there Dave

We got a guy around here, nice kid, not to bright but still a nice kid, try to telll him ball park and he never listens. He did like a zillion feet of 4 rail vinyl fence, I forget the price but it waslike $350, everybody else bid it for $2000-$3000. He probably worked days on it for $350 , I forget and he was probably happy. He does this kind of pricing on everything and he's been around at least a few years now

[highland]

There's a difference when Jeff bids on something and I bid on the same thing. He can send 6 guys, 4 or 5 machines and knock it out in three days. He's still out bidding on jobs and getting more work for his guys. Me on the other hand, will send 2 or 3 guys, 2 or 3 machines and be on site working. I have to charge more because I not out getting more work at that time.

Good point! I don't know the size of the other guys crew. I also am on site working. I hope someday that I can just do sales and leave the field work to others. Never hurts to wish.

[mobilewashpros]

Is Mike Cooke still playing with his water Gun, lol. In all seriousness, its nice to see competitors sharing helpful information in the same thread.