Prices to letting agencies

[ASHCOLE]

Hi guys, iv been set up for 3 months now and work is picking up. I have been approached by a letting agency and wondering how much discount you give them if any? I have a rate for industrial, commercial, domestic and builders, not letting agencies. Any feedback would be gratly appreciated, thanks

 

[Voltimax]

I give them none, they're always trying to screw you down.

 

[Smugley]

I do a fair bit of work for a letting agency and I charge the same as to private clients. The thing is, a number of times the owner will take the property off the agent and self-manage but will keep me on for electrical work. They know what I've charged in the past so it wouldn't do to suddenly start charging a higher rate.

 

[T&Earth]

Hi Smugley

Thinking of approaching letting agencies myself, as works dried up!! but not sure what to charge because I would think its small jobs with traveling time. Therefore was thinking of minimum charge, hourly day rate any help would be appreciated as I don’t want to screw up my chances of getting work from them if I'm too expensive, but don’t want to do it too cheap and under cutting my fellow electricians. Many Thanks Steve

 

[PC Electrics]

Discount?

Are you mad?

I add a surcharge 'cos they take so long to pay!!

 

[Smugley]

Sorry, can't advise on pricing as only you know what you're willing to accept. I treat the letting agency work as a bit of a loss leader, to use a retail term. Don't make much money out of it but it has put me in contact with many tenants and landlords which has often led to further work later on. Mostly it's just maintenance - broken switches, sockets and luminaires, appliances causing tripping, replacing blown fusewires when lamps blow etc. etc. and a few PIRs coming up. But I don't know about approaching agencies or setting a competitive price as the agent is a mate of mine and was being charged ridiculous prices by the previous contractor, I think because they couldn't be bothered with all the small jobs. He actually approached me to take the work on.

 

[roukel01]

we do a fair bit of letting agency work. Managed now to get them to have a PIR carried out on all new properties they take on, plus some of the older ones they have had on the books for a while. As mentioned before, they are usually small jobs, broken switches etc, but they are good fill in jobs on the way home or whatever. We simply charge the same hourly rate as any other domestic job. (we are lucky in the sense that we hardly have to travel anywhere more than a mile or so.)

 

[T&Earth]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the advice and taking the time to relpy

Many Thanks
Steve T&Earth

 

[alanl]

I used to do loads of odd-jobs, and very occasionally,large ones, for Letting Agents.
I do none at all now, even if offered.
They take up to 8 weeks to pay. They want it done cheaply.They want it done immediately. Tenants can be very difficult to deal with - this is the main problem I had, dealing with horrible people who rent the houses.
On top of that, some of the houses are in poor condition, and they want a perfect job doing in poor conditions.

 

[Smugley]

Oh God, a few of his properties are absolutely disgusting, and with tenants to match. Two in particular I dread going to. He asked me to do a safety inspection at one, where it seems none of the tenants have jobs, and just smoke and watch TV all day. I kept my toolbag and megger with me the whole time. They'd added stuff to the electrics, removed light fittings, wired up a flex off the cooker switch to a socket in the garden shed!! And two of the rooms I couldn't get into cos the occupants were asleep and I was told not to wake them up, despite having 48 hrs notice that I was coming around. I just told him the place needs a complete rewire but I refuse to even consider doing it while occupied.

 

[roukel01]

I used to do loads of odd-jobs, and very occasionally,large ones, for Letting Agents.
I do none at all now, even if offered.
They take up to 8 weeks to pay. They want it done cheaply.They want it done immediately. Tenants can be very difficult to deal with - this is the main problem I had, dealing with horrible people who rent the houses.
On top of that, some of the houses are in poor condition, and they want a perfect job doing in poor conditions.

We must be lucky. Ours never argue on price, and we get paid usually within 2 weeks. I must admit some tenants are a pain, but on the whole we get to see some nice houses! some renting at over £2000 a month. (which is alot for this end of yorkshire!

 

[ASHCOLE]

Thanks for the replies guys, looks like i will have to charge more then . Sounds like more trouble than its worth.

 

[BluSparx]

Hi

I created a dedicated landlord plan which I sent out to all of the agents in my area around 3 weeks ago, after I already had 2 agents signed up. I was amazed by the enquiries I got and within 2 weeks have signed up another 2 agents just awaiting confirmation on the 3rd today or tomorrow.

For my dedicated landlord plan I charge a rate of 100 + vat per month for all of their properties to be covered. I ask for a minimum of 12month contract with them in order to provide the rates at a slightly lower charge for them.

a lesson I learned quick from a guy who does marketing - never be afraid to ask for money, if they don't want to pay they won't but if you look like you offer value for money then they will be sure to even be 50% interested.

I now have 4 contracts paying me 100.00 each per month for this plan all 4 signed into 12mnth contracts, so how does this benefit me you ask - well I got 400.00 for doing nothing really.

My plan also for the 100 guarantees same day response if reported by 6pm for all emergencies with no additional call out charge - something the agents were amazed I offered as previously nobody has offered them that type of response.

I also discount my PIR for them by 25.00 as part of this so they pay 100 instead of 125 (oh yes plus the vat)

 

[BluSparx]

49 in Teesside alone, however I then found out today that one of them thought it was such a good idea they sent the plan to their landlords direct to see if they would pay extra for the service to which I have another confirmation hopefully coming in this week for that one

 

[ASHCOLE]

So what is it you cover for the £100 then?