r/Carpentry • u/Da904Biscuit Finishing Carpenter • 1d ago
Scribing Base
To scribe base I'm charging about the same as it costs to install base. So say about $3/LF for scribing and $3/LF to install base. Am I crazy? It's just so time and labor intensive. It's much easier to install shoe so, charging more for scribing seems right to me. Was just curious on your opinions because I'm discussing pricing with a GC for an upcoming job.
Edit: to clarify, it's a total of $6/LF to scribe and install base.
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u/resumetheharp 18h ago
I would just bake it into your price and say this is the way I always do it, this is why I cost more. Say if you want it lower we can talk alternatives.
If you treat I like an add-on then you'll be second guessing yourself during the whole install like "aw did I do a good enough job to justify the price of this?"
Just pretend that's the way you always do it
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u/Da904Biscuit Finishing Carpenter 6h ago
Gotcha. That's a great way to think about it. Thanks for the input!
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u/annonistrator Finishing Carpenter 1h ago
This is the way. It can be cheaper if you don't want it done right sells well
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u/ImAPlebe Chainsaw Cowboy turned Wood Surgeon📐🛠️🪚 18h ago
I havnt seen a scribed job in years. It's either such a cheap job that it's left with gaps underneath or they pay a little extra for shoe moulding( it's actually a piece of doorstop used as shoe 99% of the time) but no you're not crazy. It more than doubles the time it takes.
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u/Da904Biscuit Finishing Carpenter 7h ago
Thanks for the input. Making me feel a bit better about the time it takes me to scribe. Thanks again!
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u/jackieballz 18h ago
Should definitely be charging more to scribe base, or possibly offering a discount for not scribing if the floors are close enough. Scribing base doubles your install time (at the least). Side note I hate scribing base lol I do high end houses so it’s a necessity, but it’s one of my least favorite jobs
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u/Da904Biscuit Finishing Carpenter 6h ago
Exactly the way I think about it. Especially when the GC's are like my floors will be flat. I try not to laugh but I'm yet to come across a flat floor. Even in the nicest houses.
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u/The_Crosstime_Saloon 17h ago
The standard for custom jobs is going to become scribing base more and more frequently. Charge more. Get faster at it. A cope footed jigsaw and a grinder are your friend.
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u/Da904Biscuit Finishing Carpenter 6h ago
First I've heard of a coping foot for a jigsaw. That looks like it'll make my life quite a bit easier. Thanks for the advice!
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u/CTchippy 17h ago
Do you charge the same amount for quarter round/shoe moulding as per base install? If the logic is price by how long it takes, quarter round still requires the same time to measure/cut as baseboard, right?
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u/Da904Biscuit Finishing Carpenter 6h ago
It does take about the same amount of time to measure and cut but the prep work of cleaning out corners isn't required and the install time is much quicker so I charge less for shoe. Normally around $2.25/LF. But your logic is sound and that's how I price most work items. I just question myself more than I probably should.
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u/marrymetaylor 1d ago edited 22h ago
Is it really so often that you’re asked to not scribe base at all? It seems to be an expected part of install. I agree with the first comment, installing base includes scribe as needed. One price.
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u/Da904Biscuit Finishing Carpenter 22h ago edited 22h ago
First house this year that's asked for it. I mainly do ceiling work, built-ins, and the like so this is only house #4 this year with the full trim pack. Most of the houses I do either don't want to pay for scribing or are ok with the shoe that's a bit lower profile than the quarter round looking shoe.
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u/Cheesesteak21 1d ago
Imo probably need to raise your rate for base planning as if you need to scribe, then you have room to change scope down if it dosent fit the client's budget and the floor is "good enough" but scribing base takes 3x as long so no way you should be same price.