I have been considering re-evaluating my pricing structure to better account for my stain costs. I use the AC stains and have maintained a stock of anywhere between 10 to 30 gallons at times. Some of that was intentional, stocking the typical Cedar semi or other more popular colors that I use, and and the rest being overage from jobs. For example a deck that may take 6 gallons and I need to order 10, or in the case of the current deck, I expect to need 14 to 15 gallons so I ordered 20.
Looking back over the last two years my stain costs have been running at 17%, which seems very high in my opinion, and my sf rates are not low (just my profitability). I am considering lowering my square footage rate by say 15%, and then separating actual stain costs, and ordering (and charging) per job. Now, because of cost, this may make my job bids considerably higher.
So, if you're doing hundreds of decks a year I'm sure maintaining stock is much more appropriate. The 'cost' of maintains stock is still an expense though. I may do a dozen or so decks a year and I am wondering if keeping stock and overage and using the averages, at a total sf rate, is really working out best for smaller volume.
Does anyone price their stain separately and how does the numbers come out?
I have been considering re-evaluating my pricing structure to better account for my stain costs. I use the AC stains and have maintained a stock of anywhere between 10 to 30 gallons at times. Some of that was intentional, stocking the typical Cedar semi or other more popular colors that I use, and and the rest being overage from jobs. For example a deck that may take 6 gallons and I need to order 10, or in the case of the current deck, I expect to need 14 to 15 gallons so I ordered 20.
Looking back over the last two years my stain costs have been running at 17%, which seems very high in my opinion, and my sf rates are not low (just my profitability). I am considering lowering my square footage rate by say 15%, and then separating actual stain costs, and ordering (and charging) per job. Now, because of cost, this may make my job bids considerably higher.
So, if you're doing hundreds of decks a year I'm sure maintaining stock is much more appropriate. The 'cost' of maintains stock is still an expense though. I may do a dozen or so decks a year and I am wondering if keeping stock and overage and using the averages, at a total sf rate, is really working out best for smaller volume.
Does anyone price their stain separately and how does the numbers come out?
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