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

 

[remedial]

theres a lot to be said for being reassuringly expensive. and you'll get a better class of customer

 

[SparkyAndGeorge]

Way too cheap. By having your rate that low, you're actually devaluing the trade. People who are not in the industry see that figure then think all sparks are worth that much, hence the reasons you sometimes see jobs advertised at £10-11 per hour

 

[Squid]

add beer and I'll come over.

Tyskie, Perła, Zywiec or Warka Strong?

 

[telectrix]

Okocim

 

[Zerax]

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.

Starting to feel for you now... the state pension is peanuts !!

 

[Brian Taylor]

Thanks for all the advice guys...you have given me something to think about....Will let you know how i get on

 

[telectrix]

Starting to feel for you now... the state pension is peanuts !!

why do you think i'm still working at 72?. OK, state pension pays essentials like beer and smokes. for luxuries like bills and food, i need to work

 

[123]

why do you think i'm still working at 72?. OK, state pension pays essentials like beer and smokes. for luxuries like bills and food, i need to work

That's about the 150th time you have told that joke.

Why are you still working at 72? My aim is to wrap up full time around 55, although would still be doing bits and bobs.

 

[ferg]

That's about the 150th time you have told that joke.

Why are you still working at 72? My aim is to wrap up full time around 55, although would still be doing bits and bobs.

It's his age.. getting forgetful.

I'm not sure I'd do well retired either TBH although I've a bit to go yet.

 

[telectrix]

That's about the 150th time you have told that joke.

Why are you still working at 72? My aim is to wrap up full time around 55, although would still be doing bits and bobs.

was no joke, more a statement of fact. at 72 though, i don't work full time and only take on small jobs. mentally i could not envisage stopping at home daytime watching crap on the telly and vegetating.

 

[Markyd]

Whats Welsh for......SEE YA

 

[nbwriter]

.I must admit that being the wrong side of 60 I'm not as fast as someone half my age. I think what sinks me every time is the costs associated with the business...things like paying for and running a van, accountancy fees, insurance etc. Would love to know how others deal with this without becomeing uncompetitive

i'm no spring chicken, either... ? but when you're the "other side" of 50, you usually have mountains of experience, are usually really good with people, and are usually someone who wants to do a quality job.
those three qualities alone, make you very hire-able.

Before my current job, I ran a "sole trader" business in "garden & property maintenance". This was a kind of "experiment" in a way, since I wanted to find out just how easy (or difficult) being "self-employed" really is..

Using very low-cost (well free) advertising, I just advertised locally. The phone rang. I got one regular client (who ran a large three-storey home and various "student properties"). Most of my other "clients" were "one-off" jobs, or "clients that caused endless problems". After a time, you get better at accessing jobs (and crucially) you get a feel for "customer personalities".

What you're talking about above is "overheads". Running a van, accountancy and insurance are all overhead. No profit... What the pros do is find ways to continually cut their overheads all the time. This is the secret to success in any business. The more you're saving, the more you're maximizing profit ?

thanks for reading, NB ?

 

[telectrix]

my last post i was 72. now 74 and still at it. won't be much longer though. legs knackered.

 

[nbwriter]

hi @telectrix

thanks for your contributions to my other threads ?

my last post i was 72. now 74 and still at it. won't be much longer though. legs knackered.

i took a gander at your profile... (hope you dont mind)? ? (i just had to update mine)!

my father was born same era as your good self, he worked in engineering all his life... the reason I can build shelves today, is because he taught me all about "pilot holes", fixings and using tools. where would I be without him?

sorry to hear about the legs... i'm actually working on an "energy field project" that stimulates brain activity while we sleep... it's a bit "experimental" (to say the least), but you never know... us "over 50s" might give these youngsters a run for their money.

kind regards, NB

 

[littlespark]

Energy field project? Sounds interesting....

but next time someone comes on here asking why they get a tingle off their bed, we now know the reason! ?