So what is the right price?

[breffni]

True

 

 

Sent using My c

[skyhuck]

Fortunately I have low prperty overheads. I can do 2 guys and a truck for way less than £400, if I don't someone else will. Better to work for a fairly miserable takehome than sit at said home penniless and fume at the state of the market, lack of regulation, the number of cowboys etc. The state of the market is a reflection on vast oversupply of workers compared to 5 years ago and inability of most people who feel their skills are undervalued to switch to another trade, where competition is just as bad. Doing good work sorts the sheep from the lambs in the long-term. I can't do poor work if I try! My clients often get top quality for cowboy prices from me. Word soon gets around that you are good. And cheap. The latter is negotiable when you reach a new referral client. The former isn't.

 

Thats probable what your competition say about you.

 

When it comes to under pricing your either part of the problem or part of the solution, only you can decide which you want to be.

 

There will be plenty of firms in your area charging £400+ for two guys.

 

I'm not working as many days per week as I used to, but I'd sooner work 3 days per week for decent money and keep prices up, than do 5 days for silly prices and join the race to the lowest price in town.

[Rob D]

These threads always come back to the same thing IMO.

 

 

Treework is underpaid = too many uninsured and unqualified undercutting.

 

 

The public do not recognise any certification or existing body ie. like in gas 'Corgi' registered, that they will insist upon to do the job.

 

 

We need to pull together under one scheme or one recognised 'body' that the public will then understand and recognise and ask for and pay for. But it all gets so convoluted just discussing it let alone doing it!!

 

 

Just my opinion - not trying to be defeatist but a realist. Nothing will change in near future IMO in the way the tree working industry is regarded by the public and people in general.

 

 

:sneaky2:

[Ian C]

Thats probable what your competition say about you.

 

When it comes to under pricing your either part of the problem or part of the solution, only you can decide which you want to be.

 

There will be plenty of firms in your area charging £400+ for two guys.

 

I'm not working as many days per week as I used to, but I'd sooner work 3 days per week for decent money and keep prices up, than do 5 days for silly prices and join the race to the lowest price in town.

 

Fair points there Dave.

 

we have all done cheap jobs too get work but there is no point. I used to do man and chipper jobs but dont now, clearing other people's waste is a thing of the past, i had 3 calls last week alone and one guy yesterday called me too see if i wanted to buy his tree he had felled WHF.........i leave all these crap pickings for the local do anything brigade and concentrate on propper work.

[Le Sanglier]

Thats probable what your competition say about you.

 

When it comes to under pricing your either part of the problem or part of the solution, only you can decide which you want to be.

 

There will be plenty of firms in your area charging £400+ for two guys.

 

I'm not working as many days per week as I used to, but I'd sooner work 3 days per week for decent money and keep prices up, than do 5 days for silly prices and join the race to the lowest price in town.

 

Why should he up his prices to be part of the solution? he makes good money, pays his suppliers, if other people cannot match it, that's their problem.

[skyhuck]

Why should he up his prices to be part of the solution? he makes good money, pays his suppliers, if other people cannot match it, that's their problem.

 

Thats not what he said, he said he HAD to go in cheap or some else would, so he becomes the other guys "someone else" who goes in cheap and the price just keeps dropping.

 

When I first started out I charged too little, over a brew with customers I would ask what other prices they had had, over time I increased my rates. Sticking to the right price can in time lift price.

Edited June 30, 2013 by skyhuck

[Rob D]

Better to work for a fairly miserable takehome...

 

 

Why should he up his prices to be part of the solution? he makes good money

 

 

 

If you read his post he's saying he doesn't make good money

 

 

 

 

 

[Le Sanglier]

Thats not what he said, he said he HAD to go in cheap or some else would, so he becomes the other guys "someone else" who goes in cheap and the price just keeps dropping.

 

So he's supposed to feel guilty or up his price for the good of the industry?

[Steve Bullman]

If you read his post he's saying he doesn't make good money

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wouldn't waste your breath Rob/Skyhuck

[Rob D]

So he's supposed to feel guilty or up his price for the good of the industry?

 

 

 

 

Neither - he's supposed to charge a proper rate to earn better money for himself! Dear oh dear oh dear