help with bidding large boulders?

[backsmackwristcrack]

Hi guys. I have a new client - high end with high expectations.. wants me to install a larg custom gate ( my design choice..bless him) with multiple large boulders ( got a quote at 500.00 per ton from supplier with a 90.00 dollar delivery fee.) and trees with understory plantings. Am sub contracting the bobcat work to a friend (figured 80.00/ hour at four to five hours of positioning things oh just so.) But what the heck do I charge for the boulders or is it best to just charge a flat fee on this? (flat fees make me uncomfortable) I'm used to getting plants and I can figure the costs from there. My idea was to just pencil in a 50.00 an hour rate for the supervision of the work as well as the time spent purchasing transportng and installing the plants. Even though money is really not an object with this man I really want to price it as fairly as possible. So far I've got nine rocks to pick out (green glacier and rainbow are my top picks thus far.) In the end Im puting together an installation reflecting the owner's bhuddist principles while serving a practical need. that of protecting his entrance to the business from illegal parking around the property. Pictures will be lter of this project. Like I said I want this done right and this is a guy who spent 600,000 clams on an extra pool for his Bay house so he doesnt mind paying for quality. Any ideas and suggestions really appreciated as this is a new level of design and installation for me.

[Candibear]

Hi guys. I have a new client - high end with high expectations.. wants me to install a larg custom gate ( my design choice..bless him) with multiple large boulders ( got a quote at 500.00 per ton from supplier with a 90.00 dollar delivery fee.) and trees with understory plantings. Am sub contracting the bobcat work to a friend (figured 80.00/ hour at four to five hours of positioning things oh just so.) But what the heck do I charge for the boulders or is it best to just charge a flat fee on this? (flat fees make me uncomfortable) I'm used to getting plants and I can figure the costs from there. My idea was to just pencil in a 50.00 an hour rate for the supervision of the work as well as the time spent purchasing transportng and installing the plants. Even though money is really not an object with this man I really want to price it as fairly as possible. So far I've got nine rocks to pick out (green glacier and rainbow are my top picks thus far.) In the end Im puting together an installation reflecting the owner's bhuddist principles while serving a practical need. that of protecting his entrance to the business from illegal parking around the property. Pictures will be lter of this project. Like I said I want this done right and this is a guy who spent 600,000 clams on an extra pool for his Bay house so he doesnt mind paying for quality. Any ideas and suggestions really appreciated as this is a new level of design and installation for me.

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I normaly get my price for material + trucking, figure what it is going to cost to move and/or install them Labour, then add a % to that for your profit. Also always figure in problems in your cost add a little extra to cover any unforseen problems. (ie. What if the Bobcat can't move them and you need a mini backhoe, or the cost of cleaning up the mess you have from the rocks what about the left over's haul them away $$ Or say the operator hits something, do you want to claim it on insurance? etc....).

Hope that helps you a little Its the same as anything just don't under bid. If you make to much (like that's possible and you feel guilty) you can always tell the owner later that you were able to save some $ on say transportation or the Bobcat operator cut me a special deal so I am discounting you this much $$.