What to charge

[smithjim0001]

Hi All

Age old problem i suppose but one that is proving to be a big deal for me so im hoping you can all give a little input.

I did a job thursday outside light off ring into fused spur also renew single and twin socket but the metal back box on the twin had been grip filled on as no fixings avaliable so took a lot longer due to this problem.

I worked solid for 3 hours.

Total cost of materials Approx £18.00

I wanted to charge £90 total so basically £72 labour which works out at about £25 per hour.

Customer complained it was too much and refused to pay so gave less.

What do i do? Charge per hour if so what rate do i charge.

Charge per job if so any ideas on rates that any of you charge.

I really need some help here because its food off my familys table. And i dont want to get it wrong

You all started somewhere can you give any support.

Thanks Chaps

 

[trix]

Is it a backpocket type of job ?

 

[smithjim0001]

Hi

Well it shouldnt have been but it ended up that way.

Just cant seem to get a grip on this pricing business could do with a big breakdown on what people charge.

 

[gaffer]

Can't see a problem with your price,sometimes you just have to stand your ground with some customers.

 

[Sparky Ninja]

was there any initial agreement/discussion of cost?

 

[Benny_Boy]

I agree, for crappy little jobs I charge £22ph and people are normally quite happy to pay.

I struggled to price jobs for quite a while and ended up doing myself out of money for the sake of a happier customer.

There is certainly a nack to making it seem attractive to the customer whilst being honest about the costs.

Not much help, I admit!

*edit* you were fast out of the blocks Widdler!

 

[trix]

Hi

Well it shouldnt have been but it ended up that way.

Just cant seem to get a grip on this pricing business could do with a big breakdown on what people charge.

It won't be if you give him a bill.

I charge £25/hr for One man and £35/hr for Two. Then materials.

Any less then in reality you earn less than £8/hr

Always talk money first.

Proven time and again, best method is quote prior to work being carried out.

Written quote and copy, terms and conditions, thier signiture .

 

[johnsparks23]

when you take your van/car/bike to the garage to be fixed or serviced, expect to pay £60-£100 per hour. plus parts.
it donesn't take 4yrs training to plug in a diagnostics machine, then fit a new part. wtf!
electricians are there own worst enemies sometimes. were highly skilled/qualified proffesionals, charge accordingly. if joe banker don't like it, pull the fuse(cut out).

 

[Sparky Ninja]

when you take your van/car/bike to the garage to be fixed or serviced, expect to pay £60-£100 per hour. plus parts.
it donesn't take 4yrs training to plug in a diagnostics machine, then fit a new part. wtf!
electricians are there own worst enemies sometimes. were highly skilled/qualified proffesionals, charge accordingly. if joe banker don't like it, pull the fuse(cut out).

As suggested here, sparkies have to stop unselling themselves.

My rates change according to client, if it's a deer old lady they go down. If it's a millionaire, they go up some..

I once did some testing for a music studio in london. I agreed the cost initialy at what would be the equivalent of £45 per hour. Towards the end the c.o.t.w. wanted to review it with me as he had an electrician there he quoted £20 per hour. So I just turned on my 'clever dick persona' and made this other electrician he got in fairly uncomfortable with my level of knowledge.

If you've got it in there, then charge for it.

 

[paulthe spark]

Always agree on a fixed amount before starting any work as someone has already said. I got stung with that one a few years ago. Experience really is a wonderful thing. Also when I price up a small backhander job a never go in too cheap, I will give a fair quotation for what I think is reasonable. If they complain about cost I tell them sorry u think my cost is too high and point them in the direction of the yellow pages. Don't really need the hassle of squabbling over money

 

[Lucas]

We always price per point, £50 a point and it always covers you for materials and labour. Give the customer a full breakdown on the quote and keep a copy for yourself.

 

[MvP Electrics]

always agree to a price before you start work. £25 an hour sounds fair. seeming your doing a skilled job the customer couldnt or didnt wanna do himself.

I dont know why peopletry knock your price down when they are happy with the job and have seen that you worked for the money.

this sort of stuff used to happen to me alot working in a certain area in london. after job is complete they start haggling. solution was to target only rich people or work through trusted builders i kno.

 

[scousefowler]

Welcome to self employment. You need to stick to your guns.

 

[blackiel]

75quid the first hour,40 per half hour after that,remind them electrics are for 25 years,decoration a year or two,yer too soft/kind me old son....Be Lucky!!!

 

[lloyd1980]

always agree a price before hand if its a 'weekend' job, Id never do anything without talking money at the start