Matt in Dallas TX

Ok I have an apt communtiy that needs a bid on having their cedar shakes restored. Cleaned and restained- same color as before. I have included some pictures for your veiwing pleasure. Keep in mind there are a total of 24 buidlings all very similar ofcourse. But based on what you can see, how the buildings are covered with the cedar shakes...(its a lot of work I know) How would you bid it? ...Whats a fair sq ft price?.. or would you even work it that way? ..Considering the hieght and working around the painted protions of the buildings... Would you do it all by hand?..How long would you estimate it would take you. And Ultimately what would you charge for the job like this (total price roughly). Clean off the old stain best as possible using some wood cleaning chems with maybe some light pressure washing and then Neutralize, etc....then stain/seal. The product thats on their now is a "thin" semi-trans oil based. Looks very similar to a RS type product. Some areas are not as bad as other obviously.....so what do you think. talk amoungst yourselves....

I said "but based on what you see." isnt this a board to educate, share ideas, and opinions or just ridicule and belittle? I'm sure everyones bids are different, some high and some low, so people regardless of how much experience they have can still over or under bid a job at any point in their career. not the first time I've seen these pissing matches and over inflated egos on here. Regardless of how many "posts" someone has. makes it hard to try and share ideas or scenarios with people on here.... If everything is going to come off as an attack or a "if you knew what you were doing, you'd do this..." attitude I dont feel like I can get anything positive from this website anymore. ejoys yourselves

I know how to bid it. I'm not asking for you to give me your EXACT price on what you'd charge. If I did I would have included the address. I figured people would be interested to see something like this. I think it can be educational for people out there as well. Especially with the colaboration here. I also figured people would have an OPINION, and I'd thought it would be interesting to see what people think. sorta like this post - http://www.thegrimescene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5319

I dont know exactly....I'd say ummm...about 10-14? But some are bigger than others...

I'm thinking in the neighborhood of $77,000 - $82,000 for the whole thing. I dont know...maybe more... what do you think? Shane's the only one throwing out numbers here. Sure will look SUPER nice when its all finished. Whats just considered outrageously to expensive for something like this? I'd hate to underbid myself and then again I'd hate to overprice it as well. I wonder what apt communties pay to have their buildings painted(when wood is not involved)...$100K? -200K? And I'm thinking it will take about a month to do, weather pending. But then again it is Texas :D

Yeah, thats what I was thinking as well. But yeah definately a big one in the PITA area. :) I'm curious to see what people think about $$$$ (price)

We sometimes do only one side of the fence depending on the circumstances, ect.. With our product and stuff have nevr had a problem with overspay on the opposing neighbors side. its such a fine mist most dont even notice it. Unless there are some objects that need to be cared for while we spray(BBQ grills, plants, ect) Usually I go over and talk to the neighbor and explain to them what we will be doing and why we're doing it.(to protect the fence, ect) About 60% of the time they want their side done as well. I then offer to do an estimate for their half which is usually very affordable considering we're already going to be doing the other side of the fence for the orginal customer. Sometimes it turns into a whole other job doing the rest of the neighbors fence as well...the other 2 sides or whatever. Or maybe they have a deck in the back yard as well...so you never know. But as for the fueding neighbors scenario, I've rarely run into those types, but I know their out there. I guess there is just a lot of friendly people/neighbors here in Texas :)

last few pics

some more pics

more pictures

why doesnt someone contact the company in the movie and ask them to come here and explain/clear up how they do things? I'm sure we'd all be interested and maybe enlightened.... go straight to the horses mouth... instead of speculating....

Opinions, everyones got one.... Only regarding the CLEANING part....not staining Whats your method of choice to clean an 8yr old gray 8ft b/b FENCE. That has no previous sealer. Whats your method to remove the gray and prepare for stain/seal? Pressure washing? Chemical?( What, how much) We all know the cleaning is one of the most important parts, so what do YOU do to get the best possible end results?

thats just a section of the fence we did. havent finished it all... just an example for them

thought you might like to see... thanks for all the feed back guys...and gals.

Just got a customer call me back regarding a bid I gave them a few days ago. I have a question, but first some background.... I gaurantee my work on fences for 2yrs. The product that we use works really well and is proven to do so. This is a product that is VERY similar to the "Gray Away" product that Shane on here uses. Typically last 4-5 years on a fence restoration job. And looks great. Keep in mind this type of work is all we do, so our quality of work and reputation depends upon us using a good product and doing a good job. Well Anyways, they've hinted that would like for me to do the work, becuase I specialize in working with wood only. I'm not a part time plumber on the side, or do any pressurewashing other than what we do for wood. So basically wood restoration is my bread and butter. It would be safe to say we know what we are doing. BUT they mentioned to me that they got another bid from "their" painter guy whose done some work for them in the past, painting the INTERIOR of their home. They said that he was HIGHER than my bid to do the work, and that he has a product that he gaurantees for 5yrs...? I asked what product it was and they dont remember what the product was he mentioned. I also explained that we stand behind our work and products we use. I gave them a list of 15 references, and 3 jobs we've actually done on their street and the street next to them. Now after talking to them and explaining what we do and will do to them, I feel like they're going to go with me. Now my question is, how do you guys combat these people/business' out there that just say and make rediculous claims like that(I have a product with a 5yr guarantee) just to get the customers business. Because thats what this seems like, just a claim to get their business. My thinking is if there was a product out there that was that good, I think we'd be using it. I mean my business depends on quality work. I dont "paint" the interior of houses and do fences on the side part time, like I was saying this is our bread and butter. But you still have these people out there that try and, what seems like, sabotage your bid by making claims like that. What do you tell a homeowner or business owner when they come back with something like that? "Well this guys gots a product he guarantees for 5yrs." Curious to see how others handle this.... thanks guys

Yeah, thats sorta how I handled it too. I was just curious to see how other people do it or what they'd recommend. With my references, photo album, and even references ON THEIR CURRENT STREET where they can see our work first hand really helped. Just surprises me that people still come back with stuff like that....I mean who has a legitimate five year WARRANTY, not product life, on a fence stain? thanks for the feedback...

I understand. I guess it just frustrates me to see other people, like this painter in this case, talking about something he probably knows nothing about(fence restoration and care).... Otherwise he wouldnt be painting home INTERIORS. its like me telling the homeowner what the BEST product they should be telling their painter to use on their INTERIOR walls in their master bedroom. And then saying I could do it better than he could, when I dont deal with that type of work to begin with. Then again, maybe its my fault for not educating the customer well enough the first time I talk to them.

I think this is mainly a " my gaurantee is longer than yours" battle How do you overcome the ridiculous claims other people/contractors make just to get the customers business, regardless if its true or not. Hince my story above..

OH ok... We've done this before. (jobs like this) I was just curious to see what others thought and would do to get the best results they see fit. Like they say..."two heads are better than one." I like trying new things sometimes. If there's an easier way I like to try it. I also like to hear what works well for others.... Sometimes you learn what not to do. good feedback. (also brings the M-board back to life)

Shane how do you mix your bleach and soap combo? ... Everyone else.....How do you mix up your "stripper" for a job like this? (amount, what kind) So you dont think HD80 is overkill for just a gray fence? I've used it on older stained decks but not on just a gray fence with no history of a previous stain. EFC ? - no comments on that yet....

HA Shane. yeah I'll send you some of our snow we got here today.(rare) Actually their saying its going to be back to sunny and 60 again by Sat. It doesnt last long, just like a minor speed bump in the work schedule. :)

You'd use a "stripper" on just sun damaged wood. There's no previous sealer/stain present. HD80 seems like a bit over kill....for just gray wood. What about a simple Pre-carb?...which one would you use? what about EFC? ok...keep talking.....

another part of info I forgot to include....this fence is 1700 linear ft long large job. Does that change your method of thinking..? talk amoungst yourselves.....

Yes...oxalic.

I like to do the job right or not do it at all. My business depends and thrives on our reputation for good QUALITY work. I dont want to half ass a job just because the Homeowner wanted to. AND THEN...people who see that job think thats the best we can do. Would rather not do it at all.....or find another line of work. But thats just me... .02 cents