BUSINESS IS BUSINESS

I think it is fair to say that without this information most of us aren't running our businesses like businesses. A real business owner can answer all of these questions with a yes.

It seems without all the proper information it would be difficult to price out jobs. If you are in the 90 percent who don't know all the facts, how can you calculate the correct selling price for jobs?

To make things complicated we could discuss high labor content jobs or high material content jobs and then solve the pricing problem using dual overhead factors. If you know those factors, then it is safe to say you are not in the 90 percent.

Assuming taxes are paid at the time of materials purchase, a properly priced job would include the cost of goods, the 35 percent replacement department overhead, and the 10 percent desired net profit before taxes. Solving the pricing puzzle can be as simple as dividing the cost of goods by 0.55.

Once the correct selling price is determined, calculate the percentage for replacement department overhead and then the percentage for desired net profit. Totaling the three figures should verify the previously calculated correct selling price. (See Figure 1.)

The divisor method can also be a good method to use.

WATCH OVERHEAD

Contractors can estimate the cost of goods sold. That is to say they can accurately figure the equipment and material prices for individual jobs. We can estimate the direct labor subcontracts, warranty reserve, and the permits. We can even definitely decide how much profit we would like to make on the job.

So what is missing here? Of course, for the 90 percent guys, it's the overhead percentage. If we don't know that percentage number, then we are just guessing. If you are in the 90 percent, you don't know your overhead. If you don't know your overhead, you cannot calculate the correct price.

The concept of correct pricing is pretty simple. In each job you price, the gross margin percentage must be larger than the overhead percentage. If it is larger, then you show a profit, if smaller then you show a loss. (See Figure 2.)

Bottom line is this: You must departmentalize your business by residential new construction, replacement, service, IAQ, and on and on. Because each department has a different and distinct overhead, you must find each department overhead to arrive at a correct selling price for that particular department. The good news is that you can learn how to answer all those questions in the affirmative.

Publication date: 10/09/2006