The underpricing thread.

[TIMON]

I stopped giving an hourly/day rate with my quotes some time ago.

I always price the job not the time where possible.

Also I try to avoid getting into that discussion with the customer. If they ask how long it is going to take I will usually say it depends:

On how many of the team will be available on that particular day and which vehicle/chipper we bring, weather conditions etc..

If you estimate a day and it only takes you half a day then the customer can feel like they have been short changed.

Plus the fact that the working day isn't all spent at the job site.

 

Some really good points raised on this thread... It's interesting to hear others take on this subject.

[Djvicke1]

Thanks for the feedback, next time ill say £12 if he insists on paying by the hour. Otherwise it will be a day rate.

 

Trouble with farmers is they all know how to use a chainsaw ("I would do it myself but...") and they always have a firm idea of how long they think it would take them.

[Tom D]

Thanks for the feedback, next time ill say £12 if he insists on paying by the hour. Otherwise it will be a day rate.

 

Trouble with farmers is they all know how to use a chainsaw ("I would do it myself but...") and they always have a firm idea of how long they think it would take them.

 

Thats when you say "ok do it yourself" and walk away....

[Djvicke1]

I stopped giving an hourly/day rate with my quotes some time ago.

I always price the job not the time where possible.

Also I try to avoid getting into that discussion with the customer. If they ask how long it is going to take I will usually say it depends:

On how many of the team will be available on that particular day and which vehicle/chipper we bring, weather conditions etc..

If you estimate a day and it only takes you half a day then the customer can feel like they have been short changed.

Plus the fact that the working day isn't all spent at the job site.

 

Some really good points raised on this thread... It's interesting to hear others take on this subject.

 

Cheers mate, thats some good advice, I've only just started taking on my own jobs and I've found that everyone always asks how long it will take and I always get stumped on it, so will try and avoid that in the future.

 

Might start pricing jobs more too and just have a day rate for subbying.

 

Live and learn

[Mortimer Firewood]

Thanks for the feedback, next time ill say £12 if he insists on paying by the hour. Otherwise it will be a day rate.

 

Trouble with farmers is they all know how to use a chainsaw ("I would do it myself but...") and they always have a firm idea of how long they think it would take them.

 

Most farmers I know can't even sharpen a saw let alone use one it's usually in the shed chain touching the floor.

[mendiplogs]

Most farmers I know can't even sharpen a saw let alone use one it's usually in the shed chain touching the floor.

 

HI MIKE that make me :lol::lol::thumbup1:mate jon

[Djvicke1]

Thats when you say "ok do it yourself" and walk away....

 

yep funny how often you come across a tree that's been half cut through and left because someones backed out last minute not sure of where it's going..

[Robert_S]

Thanks for the feedback, next time ill say £12 if he insists on paying by the hour. Otherwise it will be a day rate.

 

Trouble with farmers is they all know how to use a chainsaw ("I would do it myself but...") and they always have a firm idea of how long they think it would take them.

 

If you are going to charge by the hour tell them its a minimum 8 hours. If you don't they may stop you an hour in and hand you £12 !!!

 

£12 is too cheap anyway.

[Stefan Palokangas]

Priced a job once when the phone had been silent for a while, thought it would take me half a day and only priced for 90 pounds.

It took me 3 days to complete, i will remember that for as long as i live.

Even priced for half day it was very very low.

[Mark Bolam]

If you are going to charge by the hour tell them its a minimum 8 hours. If you don't they may stop you an hour in and hand you £12 !!!

 

£12 is too cheap anyway.

 

True dat.

 

You've shot your bolt by charging £8/hour in the past, I very much doubt he'll accept £15, which is what I'd want.

 

 

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