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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 122
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Had a call the other day a guy says " I want to know how much it would cost to install a new receptacle, replace my thermostat with a digital/programable type and replace a switch with a time clock switch" So, I went out gave him an estimate and the total was $255.00 The plug was installed off of an existing switch 2' above, I pulled out a switch and replaced it with a time clock switch and replaced a thermostat. It took all of 35 minutes and $90.00 in material. What would you charge? The guy was so happy when I left I kind of thought maybe I was too cheap! But everything was so easy and close together. Maybe he was just another satisfied customer! Wirewiz
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,236 Likes: 1
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Hey, some days you get the bear, some days the bear gets you...
Hope it was delicious!
(Kinda like greasy and stringy beef, actually...)
-Virgil Residential/Commercial Inspector 5 Star Inspections Member IAEI
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 36
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"It took all of 35 minutes and $90.00 in material."
It took more than 35 minutes. You had time on the phone. The trip out to give the estimate. Gas for two trips. Wear & Tear on your truck. Pro-rated- The cost of your tools. The time spent putting gas in your truck. Phone bill. Insurance. Office supplies. Giving quotes for jobs you didn't get, etc etc etc And don't forget Uncle Sam.
I wouldn't say it was too much or too little. It all depends on your situation. If you haven't determined your total cost of operating you may not know if it is too little until it's too late.
I gave up on the psychology aspect of pricing long ago. It seems every time I was actually trying to give someone a good deal they thought I was ripping them off, but If I pushed the limits on pricing I was their Hero. Go figure. Go figure.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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I also struggle with charging full price for the "slam dunks". I usually discount the surprisingly easy jobs. The problem is, you usually can't up the prices if you run into problems. So, relax and enjoy the extra profit(take the kids to lunch). Next time you have to "eat" an hour or two labor, you'll be glad you did.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 131
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After being burned so many times by contractors and homeowners I charge full price for everthing. No discounts... Right now I am owed roughly $18,000 in extras done for contractors. The homeowners are disputing these extras and refuse to pay. I am getting very tired of this...
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 31
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Next time get the extras on paper with their signature or it won't get done. Then they can't argue.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 122
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TE, "I gave up on the psychology aspect of pricing"
What do you mean?
I understand that there were 2 trips gas, tools, jobs not won, "overhead", blah blah blah. All I am looking for was a little comparison on pricing. I really thought for what I did and what the customer received I could have charged more and the customer would have still been happy. Wirewiz
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 914
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Don't you just hate it when you give a customer the bill and they say ..."Is that all, man I expected it to be twice that much"... As it turns out those customers are the easiest to please and a pleasure to work for and the guy that about has a heart attack over a $100 bill when you just spent 2 hours in his attic on the hottest day of the year, well he wouldn't be happy if you gave it to him.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
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How about $255? He'll tell all his friends that you're good, and fair. And you can help them, too...Scott
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 122
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Electure, that's what I am planing on, he did ask for a couple of extra cards. Wirewiz
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Posts: 806
Joined: October 2004
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