Day rates: why so cagey?

[Steve Bullman]

1 minute ago, Dendrologen said:

So your rate is not at all influenced by what other people charge? Nice to be in that position

Well I’m offering somewhat different services these days, but yes I charge what I need to do a job. Certain things have a set price of course. As a climber I also set my own rate and whittled down my client base to the few that were happy to pay it 

[eggsarascal]

The vast majority of my work is contracting, I give my rate and it's either accepted or it isn't, it's got nothing to do with me what I'm being charged at.

[Steve Bullman]

4 minutes ago, Dendrologen said:

So your rate is not at all influenced by what other people charge? Nice to be in that position

Also……no one put me in that position 

[Dendrologen]

2 minutes ago, pleasant said:

I wasn't referring to the 'cagey' side of things......just the point you made about why people question your rates...You said if it's extortionate, fair enough. What I may consider is extortionate could well be completely different to what you consider fair.....hence why people question.

I have had to reduce my rate because people have told me that it's steep.  I think they may have been manipulating me though due to my naivety. Others have accepted without question. I have found these conversations very difficult.  I feel what I expect is reasonable based on my skill level/set and overheads.  I need the work at the moment, so I don't feel I'm in the driving seat

[pleasant]

Too many variables, so each and every day rate will be different. No two businesses are the same- differenct services, differing skill levels, different kit and equipment, staff levels, vat or not, travel, vehicles. I could go on.

 

It's your business, so rather than look at what over disimilar businesses are charging, you need to look at your own costs, overheads and what margin you need to work to, to work profitably, then you can work out what you need to charge.

[Dendrologen]

4 minutes ago, Steve Bullman said:

Also……no one put me in that position 

Not suggesting that at all mate. That is just a matter of time for me, but I certainly don't feel I am in that position now.

[eggsarascal]

Contracting is swings and roundabouts, for example if I do site work the rate is pretty much set, I either take it or leave it. On the other hand if I'm doing more complicated work I set my rate.

[Steve Bullman]

4 minutes ago, Dendrologen said:

Not suggesting that at all mate. That is just a matter of time for me, but I certainly don't feel I am in that position now.

Well my point was that as a self employed worker you need to set yourself on the position you want to be in.

 

As for the people telling you you’re too steep, they are either not charging enough themselves to be able to afford you, or they are just chancers. More often than not the latter 

[Dendrologen]

... I think I just accidentally rated my own conversation 5 stars... Great conversation though guys! 😅

[Dendrologen]

12 minutes ago, Steve Bullman said:

Well my point was that as a self employed worker you need to set yourself on the position you want to be in.

 

As for the people telling you you’re too steep, they are either not charging enough themselves to be able to afford you, or they are just chancers. More often than not the latter 

I agree with you completely. One of the main reasons I am doing this is that I want to be in control (don't we all?). It just feels like I am not at the moment, mainly subbing. All I've had to go on is what I have calculated based on all my parameters. Then I have to put this to others to see what their opinion is, or whether employers will pay it. It's difficult when your fellow subbies don't want to share their rates for comparison and employers tell you you're too steep. Like you say, too cheap themselves, or chances,  or both!

 

Sadly, I do think a lot of Devon freelance arborists are under charging as well,   which makes it difficult. What will they do when they retire and have no money? "Long time away, don't think about it"...

 

Unfortunately, I don't have the help to take on all my own work yet,  but that seems to be the way forward. I'm kind of reliant on others for work at the moment, which is annoying...