How do people compete with numpties quoting blind...

[Gavin John Hyde]

Been to do some quotes this week, One is a partial rewire and Cu change. The other wiring up a garage with the usual sockets, lights etc.
On both jobs 'electricians' have quoted blind and given a price over the phone with no visit or pre work testing...
One job the customer has gone with the blind quote as I couldn't compete with the £250 price to run swa out of the house to garage, then install CU with internal sockets x 6, 2 led battens, and an external lights fed from garage.
The other I have quoted for but somebody quoted nearly a third less than me and I even if they pay no tax, ni etc I cant for live of me see how they are making a living after materials... they must be on less than minimum wage..
Makes you wonder if once they have started they suck their teeth and due to foreseen issues raise the price and pressure the customer??

 

[SparkyChick]

I don't worry about it. I quote and I either get the work or I don't. To the best of my knowledge I've lost less then 10 jobs in 18 months due to price and to be honest, that suits me down to the ground because quite simply I'm not willing to cut corners. The only job I'll usually give a price for over the phone is changing a light fitting. Other than that I insist of going and having a look.

It's like EICRs. I was asked a while back about how much I'd charge for a hotel I've worked on previously. Around 30 circuits and I know it's not organised etc. So my feeling was 30 hours isn't unreasonable. Then the owner of said building (I'd previously been dealing with the lease holder) phoned me and asked me to quote but never got back to me after I returned his call (I'm not into chasing people for work either). I know who got the job.... £9-10 per circuit, and that didn't include taking a look in the attic where a lot of the cables run along with the mices. Just seen a report for a property that I'm going to quote for a rewire (owners want it).... unless I'm misreading it or misunderstanding it, 5 accessories were inspected.... FIVE! In a 3 bed + two down + basement property. I don't want to compete with that kind of garbage... I like to sleep at night.

It's the same thing as has been discussed in the race to the bottom thread. Personally it's not my bag, if people want cheap they can go elsewhere, especially EICRs (in fact I ask why they want the inspection... if it's to sell the property on or for their obligations as a landlord I straight out say I can do it, but I'm not going to be the cheapest and let them make the decision). It used to wind me up somewhat, but I don't worry about it now. What will be will be.

 

[Martyn Fletcher]

If you are worried about losing jobs to cheaper, unqualified, uninsured and less skilled people may I suggest you have a look at where and to whom you are marketing yourself? Or indeed, how you are marketing yourself.
If your marketing material or website (for those of you who bother with it) says that no job is too small, or omits information such as insurances, qualifications and scheme membership (AND WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT), then you are likely to be lining yourself up for the time-wasters, price-hunters and customers who do not care about these things. Also, you are then competing with the very people with whom you do not wish to be compared.
Odd world isn't it?

 

[Octopus]

I find most of the time wasters are internet based enquiries.....

 

[sparksfly]

I am wary of customers who push for a price there or mention too often if the price is right ? Good constructive comments Sparkychic, Martin, Murdoch. I use my gut feeling but sometimes ignore it for the job challenge, then dread taking it on. Some customers are too focussed on price alone so they can spend it on anything other than boring electrical safety. Could the schemes get together & do more to educate the wider public ?

 

[Pete999]

I am wary of customers who push for a price there or mention too often if the price is right ? Good constructive comments Sparkychic, Martin, Murdoch. I use my gut feeling but sometimes ignore it for the job challenge, then dread taking it on. Some customers are too focussed on price alone so they can spend it on anything other than boring electrical safety. Could the schemes get together & do more to educate the wider public ?

Doubtful sparksfly, nothing init for them is there?

 

[Toneyz]

No because I'm the sort of person who will own up to minor indiscretions in life which have no meaning whatsoever, in the general scheme of thing.
I take it this is what you are getting at? if it's something else then please expand, quite what I have said to my Wife has little or nothing to do with what I said about the correct procedure for digging a trench for installing an underground cables, may be a good idea to rephrase your comment. You may say I am being over senistive, but I happen to think what I say on this Forum, and what this has to do with my relationship with my wife, has nothing to do with you or this Forum.
What I have mentioned about buying tools etc, have been 50 50% in jest.

Well put Pete, there are some people on the forum that seem to have anything constructive.

 

[stevels4]

“I’m sorry...the phone line’s really bad did you say it was 16 or 60 metres from your house to the garage?”

“Why does that make a difference?”

“Yes it does to the price, the shorter the distance the cheaper the price”

“OK in that case it is definitely SIXTEEN, when can you come and do it?”

 

[Squid]

Nothing new. Bit like public private contracts. The big boys always put in ridiculous low quotes to get contacts. They either go bust like Carillion or the public end up paying over the odds in the long run.

They make there money on the "extras"