new light fitting quotes disbelief

[paulthe spark]

Client moved into newbuild flat the other week and today asked me about changing over 3 ceiling roses for a couple of fancy chrome ones (like for like) When asked how much it would cost, (thinking i was doing him a good turn) said between £30- £40 to which he looked at me in disbelief and said that i was rather expensive wasn't I?. Then went on to ask me how long the job would take to complete etc. When I asked him how much he expected to pay he said about £20. He said what i was asking to fit the lights is what it cost him to buy them. The end of a long day and not wanting to haggle over money i politely said thats what it would cost and gime a shout if he decided to go ahead. We left it at he is going to have a think about it and get back to me. It really hit home how some people really want things done for next to nothing. Im still learning in this job and the same applies to the public which never fail to surprise me. Actually found it quite amusing on the way home thinking about the skintflint. Rant over, apoligies

 

[acat]

Found the same myself quoted £30 for a similar job as you had that was in September has not come back to me but mutual friend tells me his lights are still not done.

Find it very difficult not to grin like a cheshire cat when I see skinflint in the local town.


Chris

 

[Des 56]

Cost of
Liability insurance
training
Qualifications
Certification
fuel expenses
Tax liability
Tools
Test equipment
calibration of that equipment
Workwear
Materials expected (connector/choc blocks,screws/fixings/sleeving/crimps/jb or else)to be provided
Some money left over in case the missus needs to buy tea bags


These are the unseen expenses never accounted for by these skinflints

the tea bags were incuded because tight fisted mean *******,probably wouldn't have made you a cuppa anyway

 

[cbw]

Hmmm I just quoted £50 for 2 lights, dont think thats too dear as whole circuit needs to be tested and minor works cert issued, 40 mins travel in total, all said and done the whole thing will take about an hour and a half.

I am not going to work for nothing!

 

[sparks72]

As soon as the customer whinged about the price
I would have head for the door.

 

[Davey101]

I wish I could get a chippy or plumber to my house for 40 quid when I need one. Personnaly, I dont care if something only takes me an hour or two, I'm not even going to bother going out of the house for £20, and thats for cash. Feel sorry for the self employed amongst you.

 

[sparks72]

I wish I could get a chippy or plumber to my house for 40 quid when I need one. Personnaly, I dont care if something only takes me an hour or two, I'm not even going to bother going out of the house for £20, and thats for cash. Feel sorry for the self employed amongst you.

Good point, a plumber friend of mine can make £1000 in a day,
I too have had gasps of disbelief from customers whe quoting for small jobs,
but they are happy to pay £XXXXXX amount for plumbers,
the problem is that if you quote next to nothing then they will expect that all the time!

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

Common problem everywhere, Like above they dont see the hidden costs, Unfortunatly many of jow public think the trade is about joining a few wires together, they just have no clue how much of a specialist job it can be, I think on the positive side as the laws and regs tighten, it will be in our favour, although you will never stop the "I will do everything in my house" brigade

 

[mark7600]

Went round to clients for callout/ quote on new work. Quickly identified o/slights overloading lighting circuit. isolated o/slights and gave quote for board upgrade and new o/slights and circuit.Was there over hour. Did not get any money even though I did isolate circuit. He baulked at the 80 call out which would of included putting upnew dining rm light as well.He said wait till next year when the board is changed.! Did not feel right leaving with no money. What are the chances he doesn't have it done? and taken me for one.
How do you guys balance future work to time spent at a job? Will you not touch anything until payment agreed? I am still learning and would like any info on generating as much money as poss. I dont wont to give it out for free!!!!

 

[1shortcircuit]

How do you guys balance future work to time spent at a job? Will you not touch anything until payment agreed? I am still learning and would like any info on generating as much money as poss. I dont wont to give it out for free!!!!

The conclusion I have made from reading informative posts on here is to 1) Ensure you do a thorough test/inspection of the system before quoting thus reducing the risk of faults cropping up after you have commenced your works 2) Ensure that quote is agreed to in writing and clearly states that additional works will be corrected at the customers expense.

I used to be a Workshop Manager and often used to deal with customers that would ring around trying to find the cheapest quote (fair enough). I always used to give a competetive quote anyway. It was not unusual for the customer to call back later during the day haggling over a quid:eek

Lucky for me I worked for an Independent business so did not have to adhere to a price promise or any load of rubbish like that

I understand that people may be trying it on at the moment due to times being hard for EVERYONE but perhaps it may be worth giving them the heads up that come 6-12 months later when the recession is on it's way out the same job may in fact cost them a WHOLE LOT MORE

 

[glasgowspark]

I hate customers that wont accept your quotes. Someone said it already, but I head for the door.

Interestingly enough though, domestic punters have normally been alright this way with me. Its commercial clients that moan the most. Shop owners, pub landlords, etc. always trying to knock a few quid off the bill. Especially when it comes to periodic inspections. Its never cheap enough for them.

I think even £30 is too cheap. Try getting any spark out of bed in Glasgow for less than £50 and youll be laughed at.