Customer wants to supply material

[D80]

Never really had the issue to date - other than the odd light/smokie etc to stick on. If I do will probably use the Meteor customer to buy service. And that payment from Meteor to me will be for my time and effort compiling the list!

It's all good and well when its a small job, like replacing a light. But if something like a rewire with a big list of materials, I'd assume the expect that list FOC. If any part needs replacing down the line, given they supplied it, I'd charge to replace it. If I'd supplied it I would replace FOC.

 

[Dave 85]

When I give a quote, I dont breakdown into labour/materials, just price per unit. If they wanna supply second fix materials, the price is still the same for sockets/switches but I might discount the cost price to me of downlighters etc. First fix stuff I will always supply myself. Personally i would't throw my toys outta the pram and insist they supply every single screw and bit of sleeving because they are still a paying customer and they might assume I was a bit of a ----er and not call me again.

 

[mackers]

When I give a quote, I dont breakdown into labour/materials, just price per unit. If they wanna supply second fix materials, the price is still the same for sockets/switches but I might discount the cost price to me of downlighters etc. First fix stuff I will always supply myself. Personally i would't throw my toys outta the pram and insist they supply every single screw and bit of sleeving because they are still a paying customer and they might assume I was a bit of a ----er and not call me again.

don't think its a case of been a ----er but if they have asked for a estimate then say they want to supply materials i personally thing its the start of the penny pinching, if they wanna supply materials fare enough but most dont realize whats required.eg 2. 5, 1.5,6,10 ,3core n earth capping,nails, back boxes,grommets,sleeving,clips various,tails,10mm g/y,coax, long socket screws,plugs n screws and anything else ive missed soon mounts up!

 

[Spazz]

If they want to supply then let them!

Just give them a list of makes and what they need.

They will soon realize that parts are not cheap - also alert the whole sellers you use not to give anyone but you discount if someone approaches them saying that they are with you - seen that before!

Then charge them by the hour - not forgetting they will forget something.

 

[Spoon]

Personally i would't throw my toys outta the pram and insist they supply every single screw and bit of sleeving because they are still a paying customer and they might assume I was a bit of a ----er and not call me again.

Spot on. It may be that the customer may think that he can save some money by buying the main items. I dont know why there are so many negative posts. I thought work was hard to get these days. Some money is better then peeing a customer off and getting no money.

 

[ruston]

I don't mind ordinary customers supplying plates and light fittings etc,in fact it's part of the job to guide /ascertain the customers requirements. It's the landlord/ developer type I'm getting at.They will take your eyes out if you let them. The odd one(labour only) is ok, but definitely worth not getting into the habit of. Especially if you have quoted an all in price. Remember you save a lot of time not running back and forward to the Wholesalers if your customer is getting the gear, but it's a nightmare of wrong stuff and/or cheapest tat. Eg down lighters that fall apart, cooker outlets that you can't terminate into, it's not all just about the money.

 

[Goody]

Walk away they are just trying to workout how much youll make off the job and your profit , when its finished they'll argue like hell over your labour bill . Jamie

Very true! My quote usually is in the following format and they don't need to know cost of materials separately:

Two double sockets	£££
Shower installed	£££
Quote includes standard parts & labour

 

[imago]

I dont know why there are so many negative posts.

It's easy to get work for minimum wage, just to cover your overheads, or for nothing. Trouble is, it's fools doing it at those sort of rates that makes it look like people charging a fair whack for a good job done properly are charging 'over the odds'. IMHO working for a pittance is no different than cutting corners on materials or standards. It's bad practice and it shouldn't be done.

I thought work was hard to get these days.

Hard to get work? Speaking personally I have a fair bit on, and even if work was tight I would rather go and stack shelves than devalue myself and my skills by giving them away. My ability to trade was hard won, and costly to achieve both in terms of money and time.

Some money is better then peeing a customer off and getting no money.

As above really, i.e. no it's not because if charging a fair rate annoys a customer then they can either live with their annoyance or go elsewhere.

 

[Octopus]

Interestingly today I was doing some sparking for a builder I recenty met.

He told me during the day that he wants copies of all my invoices so he can show the customer that we are not marking up the materials. I add margin to the parts I supply to cover the cost of getting them and all the associated paperwork. I don't like depending on other people for the parts I need.

I told him that I reduce the margin on the parts, when I work "for" other trades to 10% Also I don't split down the parts cost either.

It'll be interesting to hear his views when I go back on site on Thursday - one thing is clear, I'm not a charity.

 

[ruston]

Interestingly today I was doing some sparking for a builder I recenty met.

He told me during the day that he wants copies of all my invoices so he can show the customer that we are not marking up the materials. I add margin to the parts I supply to cover the cost of getting them and all the associated paperwork. I don't like depending on other people for the parts I need.

I told him that I reduce the margin on the parts, when I work "for" other trades to 10% Also I don't split down the parts cost either.

It'll be interesting to hear his views when I go back on site on Thursday - one thing is clear, I'm not a charity.

As he got into his £80k merc he tells the customer he's sorted the sparky out.

 

[Octopus]

As he got into his £80k merc he tells the customer he's sorted the sparky out.

Actually he's got a 10 year old Honda!!!!!!

 

[ruston]

Actually he's got a 10 year old Honda!!!!!!

:blush5: I'm old and cynical lol.

 

[Dave 85]

I suppose it all very much depends on the circumstances. If its a builder who's gonna feed you loads of nice new builds and you can get a labour only price that will still work out quite a bit better than your day rate, then go for it.

But generally speaking if I get asked for a price 'with' and a price 'without', from a main contactor then my price 'without' is going to deduct only the cost to me of materials so profit is the same. I did this to a kitchen company guy I work for who's a total control freak and basically just wanted me to work out the material cost for him to supply. After the job he was moaning that he made £34 profit and I made £1,100 in 3 days. That put a smile on my face.

 

[Dcf]

The Internet is great for these tight arses to get an idea for your price.a little info n all these landlord types are all experts eh?iv recently had Landlords ask for a price for jobbing works before I have even got there to see what the fault is!hang on a minute and I will phone up Derek acora on the phsycic hotline n ask him what he thinks u donut.i don't mind clients supplying stuff if that is what they want but it betteR be correct and in the right quantities or I'm off somewhere else til they sort it out.

 

[Spazz]

I had a similar situation today/yesterday.
Went to view a job and he asked can he supply materials - ya fine but I will be able to supply them cheaper than you can buy them for

He called me today - asking how I can supply the items cheaper than he can get them from city electrical - I explained that its because I have trade accounts with online suppliers.

In the end he saved £150 getting parts through me compared to CEF.

I use Gil-Lec - Still love the CU fully loaded for £68 (inc VAT)
I sold it to him with Labor included - £250 - his best price for same CU and all MCBs - £150 + VAT

I find cheap sites with good quality and order in bulk