I am Not GC .... just comparing two quotes that are way off and trying to make sense...

Presumed framers had a general "rate" they charge for labor? Also, one quote had a separate charge for nails... i recall reading that framing and siding labor is inclusive of nails? Am i mistaken? Just hoping to get some helpful insights from pros... or folks who recently had this work done...

I am the general contractor and was for years a licensed builder.

There's no logic to lots of trade practices and pricing.

For instance, we were recently quoted $67,900, $88,800 and $99,900 for exactly the same work. When it gets down in the $45-$50K range, we'll spring for it.

As for your pricing, you hired a g.c. presumably because you checked them out and are satisfied as to their skill and honesty. Leave them to sort it out.

@User, if they have a cost plus contract with the GC/builder they should have access to the quotes. We had access to them in our custom build.

We almost done building our house. My husband acting as (owner general contractor). we bought the materials ourselves. The labor to hang the drywalls for 6500 SQF hours including the garage was $11,500. Then we hired another crew of 4 peoples for level 5 finishing $700 a day. It took them 24 days to finish the mudding. We bought the materials as well. Level 4 finish will take way less time. We are in south Florida.

Whether or note nails are included is probably not something universal. I don't remember paying for them separetely but that doesn't mean that is always the case. I suspect when material cost climbed, a lot of trades started separating it out to justify the pricing.

As we raise interest rates, building may slow more. Just last month had the first decrease in median home pricing in 10 years. Just something to keep in mind when considering jumping on a quote vs waiting.

I've always seen my quotes and always had a GC. Framing is something typically I let them decide entirely since I have no experience etc to add to the choice. Typically, builders have a crew that they like and aren't the cheapest. But straight walls are fairly important and hard to hide later.

Thanks all for your inputs / comments.

i do have a cost plus contract and have access to all quotes. While i let the GC handle the labor selections, if a quote comes in significantly higher than estimate, i ask for a second one.

One quote came in at 35k and other at 48k plus 2k in nails??

one has broken down the labor cost per square ft at 5$ for main, basemnt at 3$ etc…also included attics and porches…Double rate for higher ceilings..?

( I have noticed with this as well as past projects where same sub will quote different amounts to different people based on ability to pay)

All these variables make it difficult to pick one opton over the other If i knew some things that were industry standarf, it would help me weed out the ”outlier” …

You're right to look at and have the final say on quotes for segments of your build. We GC'd our build. Our rough crew worked regularly for a smaller developer. Same with the drywall crew. Our work fit in between their main jobs. If you want to hunt up another crew for a quote you can drive around to see who's working.

Framing is one of those "mission critical" activities. You should want your general contractor to be accountable for the quality and timeliness of the framing-- not just the cost. To that end, I would work through--not go around--your general contractor if you feel you need additional framing proposals.

@Charles Ross Homes All proposals are obtained theough GC. Regardless of who we go with, GC still manage the crew and be accoubtable for the work