Customer thinks I’m ripping him off

[isk57]

Hi people
I’ve recently given a customer a quote for a board change on a 1970 property which needs 2 x 6way boards “small space “
And installing a 40mtr supply to the bottom of a garden for a hot tub which has to be clipped half way and underground for 10mtrs
So it’s 2 days Labour and materials
835 pound he’s moaned and said it’s far to expensive I think I’m about right , thoughts please

 

[Brian Taylor]

Thanks for all your valuable advice gentleman....but like most of us i feel I'm stuck in this job until my state pension kicks in ...or beyond...Would love to know where these jobs are that pay £20:00 per hour...never seen them advertised.

 

[Octopus]

Thanks for all your valuable advice gentleman....but like most of us i feel I'm stuck in this job until my state pension kicks in ...or beyond...Would love to know where these jobs are that pay £20:00 per hour...never seen them advertised.

What jobs?

 

[telectrix]

rhought youse was self-employed and charging customers. never yet seen a customer that wasn't prepared to pay £20 +/ hr.

 

[Bobster]

I used to pay the neighbors kid ten quid an hour to clean the leaves up an cut the grass.

 

[telectrix]

cutting grass. that reminds me of a long ago scenario. i was a 12 year old boy scout, doing bob-a-job. called at a woman's house and she asked me if i could cut her lawn... i said OK, so she then gave me a pair of garden shears. first time in my life i ever used the F*ck word.

 

[Brian Taylor]

Just by way of getting an opinion on pricing and where I may be going wrong here are a few prices i have given over the last year.

New cooker circuit....80.00
Replace pendant drops with customer supplied lighting fittings.......50.00

small house rewire.......£1050.00

supply to garden shed.....300.00


Just a few examples of jobs lost due to price....maybe someone could comment on these prices....are they to high or not? Many thanks

 

[Bobster]

cutting grass. that reminds me of a long ago scenario. i was a 12 year old boy scout, doing bob-a-job. called at a woman's house and she asked me if i could cut her lawn... i said OK, so she then gave me a pair of garden shears. first time in my life i ever used the F*ck word.

I remember doing the same thing.

Neighbors lad was more of a favor for his parents, gave him something to do, took him an hour normally. Easier than me doing it an gives the lad some pocket money. Albeit you can't buy much with a tenner now a days.

 

[Octopus]

Just by way of getting an opinion on pricing and where I may be going wrong here are a few prices i have given over the last year.

New cooker circuit....80.00
Replace pendant drops with customer supplied lighting fittings.......50.00

small house rewire.......£1050.00

supply to garden shed.....300.00


Just a few examples of jobs lost due to price....maybe someone could comment on these prices....are they to high or not? Many thanks

Are you sure its the pricing that means you lose out?

There are some dam scruffy, rude sparks around me always fighting for scraps.

How long have you been SE?

 

[telectrix]

New cooker circuit....80.00 ...£120. - £150
Replace pendant drops with customer supplied lighting fittings.......50.00....£50 first one then £30 each
..
small house rewire.......£1050.00 ....£2400

supply to garden shed.....300.00,,, as a minimum with someone else doing the groundwork

your prices are too low by a mile. if you're losing on price, then you are cometing with dole ite cowboys.

 

[Brian Taylor]

Well that's a very good point it may well be that a proportion of the unemployed are in fact going the work to the detriment of the employed...do remember contacting a medium sized contracting company last year regarding some block rewiring they had from a large housing association....way too big for me but found out later that a small local company got the job at £970.00 per property ....in strip out,rewire and finish all within 3 days. Very difficult to match

 

[Squid]

I used to pay the neighbors kid ten quid an hour to clean the leaves up an cut the grass.

I'd keep that quiet to be honest Father Rob........

 

[Squid]

When I start my house rebuild I thinks I will employ Brian, you can crash in the new shed it will be comfy and I will supply the food. ;o))))

 

[telectrix]

When I start my house rebuild I thinks I will employ Brian, you can crash in the new shed it will be comfy and I will supply the food. ;o))))

add beer and I'll come over.

 

[remedial]

its possible you're losing jobs because customers think you're too cheap. if you're a lot cheaper than other quotes people will think you're a cowboy. and a lot of people just have a general rule of going with the second cheapest quote.

 

[Baddegg]

If you are losing money as you claim Tony you may as well up ya prices to where they need to be and see what happens you got nothing to lose.......worst case you’ll end end up working 2/3 days a week for the same dough you’ve been earning and get more time to chase the work you want, no point being a busy fool mate....I think you’ll be surprised and you will also see the calibre of your customers improve as well...