Not getting jobs we quote for.

[jools p]

Don't know whats happening but were not getting re-wires that we quote for anymore. We are in Cornwall, just, and I've just quoted for an empty victorian 3 bed house. Basic re-wire nothing fancy(going to be rented out). £2100. Thats about right aint it. Geezer tells me some guy quoted just under a grand. Whats that about.

If we are going to under cut each other like that because the media are hyping up the recession we are all in trouble.

What you guys think...?

 

[bahco]

you see this undercutting thing happening more & more, but to do a full rewire on a 3 bed house for under a grand is crazy.....was that price including material as well?

the guy must be working for nothing

 

[jools p]

Yes that price was all in and a Cert

 

[bahco]

jesus

maybe the guy employs a few young lads that are at college pays them peanuts to do the job, comes round checks it tests it and signs it off

either that or he likes working for nothing haha

 

[Tiger]

materials have got to be best part £500, unless he's seriously skiming thats mad has the customer seen hi Id card. is the bloke definately on the level

 

[WarrenG]

Yeah and I bet when you go into the loft all the existing old cables are there on connector blocks! With nice new short ones coming out of the board!

 

[jools p]

I suppose the bloke could be telling porkies just to see if he could get me down. Although he told us that he wouldn't go for it because it sounded too cheap. He hasn't gone for ours though.... I thought our price was about right.
You can only put in a fair price. You can't start cutting corners to get it down.
In a few years they wont remember that it was cheap just it wasn't very good.

 

[Guest123]

You can only put in a fair price. You can't start cutting corners to get it down.
In a few years they wont remember that it was cheap just it wasn't very good.

Agree with you there buddy, we must stick to our guns otherwise if everyone starts trying to undercut everyone else the whole industry will end up on it's a**e

 

[MRES]

I am having the same problem, especially with rewires.

I have been getting some free advice from a business coach and he has given me some tips for getting the job and making the money you are worth.

He says:-

Make as much contact with the customer as possible, view the job, spend time talking and try to get on a personal level as if you are friends. Go away from the customer and produce a spec. Send the spec by email or call by and go through it with the customer. Basically you need to do as much as possible to keep your companys name and your name in the front of thier mind. Try not to look like a deranged stalker though.

Make a point about been trustmark registered and the benefits for the customer.

Make a point about been Part P. Tell the customer how to check other tradesman are Part P.

When you produce your quote include references from other customers, a little in depth detail about your business and other clients, gain the respect of the customer.

NEVER LOWER YOUR PRICE ! (I must admit I do this from time to time to get work)

If the customer wants to go for a silly unrealistic quote then let them go, leave them with a little advice and make sure they have your card. They may want to calll you pretty soon because let`s face it, "Sparks?" doing 3 bed rewires for £1000 and changeing consumer units for £200 are not doing the job right and customers that employ these people may be buying into an early death for themselves or family.

 

[WarrenG]

MRES, well said mate!

It is crazy why anyone would even want to start spiralling downwards and under sell their own skills (unless they don't have them in the first place!) after they have trained so hard in the past to get to where they are today?

Unfortunately the potential customers tend to just see price and you have to agree that we all would question why the same (as far as the customer is concerned) rewire is £1100.00 different.

Agree that it is all about educating the customer about whats involved the job and the risks. I think sometimes we sparks do under sell ourselves because we assume that the customer knows more than they actually do.

 

[slocm3105]

Sorry to make this offtopic slightly, but when quoting for rewires, how do you kinda price it? do you do it per room? or per socket outlet, light fitting etc, and anymore for 2way/intermediate etc. Sorry i never been self employed so just wondering as in the future i made need it .

 

[Tiger]

In my experiance you can never cost anything per socket or switch or room. You have to look at the job, take everything into consideration.

Access, Flat, house, lofts space, 6 flights of stairs ?, Parking
funished unfurnished
new fitted carpets, old carpets getting scrapped, wood flooring, tiled floors
disposal of rubbish

the list goes on

Work out how long it will take you + materials

 

[MRES]

Tiger, you are correct. I too price most jobs in that manner. I also use SPONS estimateing guide as a cross reference. It is a pretty handy book.

 

[lister]

"changeing consumer units for £200"


I agree with all above, out of interest what is the going rate for a cu swap with you guys i normally quote about 280 if no problems.

 

[MRES]

I usually charge £350 to £450 for a basic 10 way split 17th put price depends on bonding and tails etc.

I make a point of doing a periodic on the house first to identify any problems that may play games with the RCD`s. Then I will test each circuit after the cu change and issue a periodic cert and a minor works cert if needed.