Machinery maintenance

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

No. You ain't got a clue. We're not all here for the Pound, yes we need a few quid each week, but it ain't the be all and end all.

 

So you live without money do you? No mortgage? No heating, water, other fuel costs whatsoever? Free food from your own garden? Free meat from your own flock? People queueing up to do voluntary work for you.

 

Left wing socialist bullcrap!

[Richard 1234]

If you read my comments properly! I said 12 is cheap and i pay 35ph for my saws etc!! I was just saying that he shouldn't be called a cheapskate!!

 

 

The people using him should be called cheapstakes!

If you are only willing to pay £12 an hour to have stuff fixed you get what you deserve!

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

If you read my comments properly! I said 12 is cheap and i pay 35ph for my saws etc!! I was just saying that he shouldn't be called a cheapskate!!

 

That's perfectly fair enough. I've been there trust me - started out feeling it was wrong to do a job and take money off people. I was the one living a miserable life on the edge for years; because I was clueless about running a business I had every debt collector ringing me up, defaulting on every commitment because I had a STUPID POVERTY MENTALITY!!! £12/hour is a recipe for ruin. It isn't doable unless he's won the lottery and "cut that grass for free".

[hamdogg]

The people using him should be called cheapstakes!

If you are only willing to pay £12 an hour to have stuff fixed you get what you deserve!

 

 

As his business grows he will probably need to up his prices! I suppose he is just starting out! Good luck with it I say 👍🏻

[Richard 1234]

As his business grows he will probably need to up his prices! I suppose he is just starting out! Good luck with it I say 👍🏻

 

 

I agree with you but he needs to start at a realistic price so that he keeps his customers not loses them as he realises his prices are miles out!

Starting too cheap is a hard place to get out of. I know because 8 years ago I did the very same thing. I was charging £12 an hour then and it was not nearly enough looking back!

[eggsarascal]

So you live without money do you? No mortgage? No heating, water, other fuel costs whatsoever? Free food from your own garden? Free meat from your own flock? People queueing up to do voluntary work for you.

 

Left wing socialist bullcrap!

 

Jon, I think you read into my posts what you think I said? Rather than what I said!. Of course we all need to get a 'crust' every week........ Free food every week! Have you ever been hungry?

[gdh]

As his business grows he will probably need to up his prices! I suppose he is just starting out! Good luck with it I say 👍🏻

Exactly. I'm sure that the original poster knows his costs and is happy with what he will make, you don't have to make a fortune to have a stable business and enjoy life.

From the reaction so far he'll have plenty of customers and that's the important thing when starting out.

[Matthew Storrs]

Seems some people confuse a wage and actual buisness running cost. £12p/h might just be ok if it was all money in your pocket, but to run a buisness at that rate can't possibly be profitable.

I get the attraction of luring in customers who only want a cheap rate just to get the work in, i'm sure most of us probably started in this way, but eventually when the work is flooding in, it will be very stressfull working for such a low rate.

 

Don't forget how much 'behind the scenes' work goes on with running any buisness- if your working per hour you will be working for free an awful lot

[Matthew Storrs]

Exactly. I'm sure that the original poster knows his costs and is happy with what he will make, you don't have to make a fortune to have a stable business and enjoy life.

From the reaction so far he'll have plenty of customers and that's the important thing when starting out.

 

Yes, its catch 22 though, getting in customers is one thing- being able to hold onto them when you treble your rate over the first few years is another. generally most will start to look elsewhere if there is such a big increase.

[gdh]

Yes, its catch 22 though, getting in customers is one thing- being able to hold onto them when you treble your rate over the first few years is another. generally most will start to look elsewhere if there is such a big increase.

Fair point, I've been in a similar situation where although you're still the cheapest any increase looks bad. The important thing is that you can survive on your starting rate, even if it's not making huge amounts, and there's so many variations that only the original poster can know if they can.