This gem was just gleaned from another thread:
“Mike came here on 2/15 to look at the job and said he would send the estimate to me in the mail. He sounded like he would do an excellent job, but then I didn’t hear from him for 2 weeks.
I called a 2nd painter (Rafael) on 2/25 who came over the same day to look at the job and delivered a wrritten estimate ($2,410) 2 days later. But his recommendations were just “so-so” and since he had a smaller crew, it would take him twice as long to do the work.
I called Mike again on 3/8 and left a message at his office. Then called him again the next day on his cell phone to ask about the estimate, and he did give me a verbal estimate of $5,450. However, I still don’t have anything in writing. I’ve called him twice and he says he’s been too busy to get the estimate in the mail, but is ready to start next week.”
For all those that think selling on price is important, print this out, stick it in your wallet and read it just before entering the clients house for their presentation. If you focus your selling efforts on low price, you’ll be certain to get what you wish for!
blue
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I’m a hackmeister…they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
Replies
Anyone that considers the tactic of selling on price alone should speak to me. I watched an entire multi billion dollar industry (actually two of them) implode because they were overrun with people selling on price and turned into a commodity. Just look at PCs, consumer electronics in general, and the photo industry...
I agree Paul.
I just found that post interesting because many contractors seem to feel they are overpriced.
Professional services cost...not more...they just cost. Less than professional services are cheaper. You get what you pay for..unprofessional services.
When small time contractors feel like they are overpricing, they need to think what the big boys would do, not the jack of all trades guy that is pushing a hand cart.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
NICE POST BLUE
IMHO
Professionals are an investment.
Profit is necessary for a business to survive...
Amount charged-(all job costs, your hourly pay, subs pay, licensing, taxes and overhead-office, accounting, marketing etc) = PROFIT (not how much you made out of the job including your pay).
Most contractors work for a wage-they don't make profit.
Most GC's and Architects don't believe you should have any profit-the lower your rates-the more they make.
If you don't set the price of your work and decide where and when you will work on what day-you are not a legitimate business---> you are an indentured servent.
in·den·ture
A contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified term. Often used in the plural.
ser·vant One who is privately employed to perform domestic services.
One who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another: your obedient servant.
L
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