Can we talk about hitting 10,000 square feet in a single job...

I hit 10,000 square feet on a single commercial job last month in Denver which is way more than I've ever done solo. Usually I cap out around 5,000 feet before my knees give out but this was a warehouse floor with no bullnose or transitions to slow me down. The debate I keep having is whether bigger jobs like that actually pay better per hour or if you just wear yourself out faster. I was averaging about 850 feet a day with a power stretcher but I had to spend two extra days on prep because the concrete was rough. My buddy says he'd rather do three small residential jobs in the same time since you can charge more per yard and not burn out. But the satisfaction of seeing a huge open space all done in one color of carpet felt different somehow. Has anyone else had that moment where a number on the tape measure just hit different than expected...

2 comments

2 Comments

allen.amy8d ago

Honestly that 12k foot warehouse sounds brutal. I did an 8k foot retail space last fall and my hips were screaming by day four. For me the sweet spot is around 6k feet with good prep. If the concrete is rough or there's a lot of glue down, I agree with your buddy. Three small resi jobs will usually net me more per hour and I'm not wrecked for the weekend. But yeah, seeing that whole floor done in one shot does feel like winning a tiny trophy.

evanpalmer9d ago

Changed my mind after a 12k foot warehouse. Bigger ain't always better on the knees.