I had a fellow install some flooring for me this week and he did an impeccable job. I got the bill today. He didn't charge me nearly enough for his time and quality of work. I was a self-employed mason for a lot of years and understand what's involved in working for yourself. Are you self-employed guys bashful about your pricing?

I depends on the customer, the job and how busy I am at the time.

I have hundreds of repeat customers who will only use me for all there construction, repair and remodeling work. Many have been my customers for a long time. They get a fair price for both of us. If it's a new customer and I'm super busy and it's a difficult job, I'll bid it stupid high. If I don't get it I don't mind, if i do, it's worth my while to shoehorn it into the schedule.

Sounds like your guy might be new in business.

I know when I first started out I'd sit in the office praying the phone would ring and I'd price jobs to get them, even if it meant working for peanuts. Back in those days my helpers would sometimes make more than me with their hourly wages.

Agree.... I’m in the concrete business, contractors get the best price usually. Just because they will have something to don when no one else does

Usually you hear about being charged too much for crappy work. Good to see there are still some good ones out there.

My Pops has been self employed contractor for 31 years, all his friends say he should charge 20% more. He works 8 days a week and always jokes that his last step will probably be off a roof.

I don't know what the guy charged but I am doing 1400 square foot of laminate. The going rate in my area is approximately $2 per square foot. I do it for $1. I will have job done tomorrow with less than 20 hours. That is a fair price according to the market yet I think it is high.

Keep upping my prices, it's competitive here though

Most guys on this site trap fur for less than the gas to catch it then skin it and flesh it. I guess some guys enjoy their job.

I get a fair price for most of my work. That said I do a few different jobs for folks. ADC work, small engine repair, welding/fab work, and build fishing rods.

When I started I didn't charge enough. That changed pretty quick. Now some think I am high, others don't. Funny thing is every time I raise my rates I get busier.

The only people that can really get to me are older folks. Especially older women. If I do a job for them and see they don't have much or are struggling, I will most likely lose on the job.

I have been cutting concrete, highways, runways, commercial buildings for over 40 years and since the work force is paid to not work I have had to turn work away. First time EVER.

$2.30/ft here

Absolutely

I came across this recently. When I feel guilty for charging a little more in the times we are in, it makes me remember all the assets and skill i have to do the job correctly.



CUSTOMER: "How much will it cost to do this job?"
CONTRACTOR: "$2,800 Dollars."
CUSTOMER: "That's WAY too expensive for this job!!"
CONTRACTOR: "How much do YOU think it would cost?"
CUSTOMER: "No more than $800 Dollars - MAX!! It's a simple job!"
CONTRACTOR: "I can't prioritize my time for so little."
CUSTOMER: "People in your line of work are so greedy."
CONTRACTOR: "Sorry you feel that way. Why not do it yourself?"
CUSTOMER: "But... but... I don't know how to do any of this."
CONTRACTOR: "For $900 Dollars, I'll teach you EXACTLY how to get this job done. Then you can spend $800 to do the job and you'll still be saving $1,100 Dollars - PLUS... you'll get the knowledge and experience for the next time you want to do a job yourself."
CUSTOMER: "Deal!! Let's do it."
CONTRACTOR: To get started you'll need tools. So you'll have to buy a welder, a grinder, a chop saw, a drill press, a welding hood, gloves and a few other things."
CUSTOMER: "But I don't have all this equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job."
CONTRACTOR: "Well then for another $300 more I'll let you rent my tools... and you'll still be saving $800 Dollars."
CUSTOMER: "That's cutting into my savings. But I'll rent your tools."
CONTRACTOR: "Okay! I'll be back on Saturday and we can start."
CUSTOMER: "Wait. I can't on Saturday. I only have time today."
CONTRACTOR: "Sorry, I only give lessons on Saturday, because I have to prioritize my time and my tools have to be at other jobs with other customers all week long.
CUSTOMER: "Okay!! I'll sacrifice my family plans on Saturday."
CONTRACTOR: "Yeah... me too. Oh... and I forgot... to do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the materials. Everything is in high demand right now, so your best bet is to get your truck and load up at 6AM before everyone else gets there."
CUSTOMER: "SIX AM??? On a Saturday??? That's way to early for me. And also... I don't have a truck."
"CONTRACTOR: "I guess you'll have to rent one. Do you have a couple of strong men to help you load and unload everything?"
CUSTOMER: "Ummm... ya know... I've been thinking. It's probably best if YOU get this job done. I'd rather pay someone to get it done correctly than go through all the hassle.
CONTRACTOR: "Smart move, sign this and please get out of the way so I can work."
THE REALITY IS THIS...
When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but you are also paying for:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Tools
- Services
- Time
- Punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Labor
- Sacrifices
- Safety and Security
- Payment of tax obligations
No one should denigrate a professional's work by judging prices - ESPECIALLY when they don't know all the elements or costs necessary for the production of such work.
This was just a remix of an old story I once heard and I am sharing this in support of craftsmen, specialists and entrepreneurs everywhere!
You can't haggle over a service that you don't actually have the skills or knowledge to do yourself. You can't get a high quality gourmet dinner party for the same price as a Happy Meal from McDonald's. And you can't be mad when skilled people actually KNOW their own worth.
Be smart. Trust a reputable professional. And never forget... that you ALWAYS get what you pay for.

I have heard my dad say that the plumber didn't charge enough for his services. 10-11 years ago.

When I give a price on a job to a homeowner, I usually add " but, for a little bit more, you could do it yerself".

A banker once stated that if people think your price is reasonable, you're not charging enough.

I know when I started in the NWCO business I did not charge nearly enough. I was just trying to make some spare money, over the years I learned just how far off the standard prices I was.

Now I charge what I feel that any other company who does quality work would charge. I don't get every job, but I get plenty even though I charge more.

You have to charge enough to pay your business expenses and at least a good wage, including health and retirement, or you will wind up an old broke person.

"It's $5 if I do it, $10 if you watch and $15 if you help." Contractors' response to homeowner offering their help. I'm sure there's variations of that floating around out there.

Got a call to trap some skunks.Went there,,and it was an Old Lady comes out on a walker.I could tell she didn't have much.Skunks were under her porch.She asked what I would charge,and I said it depens how many skunks and how long it takes me,,but I promise it wont be much. ( I know that's bad business practice,,but I had no intentions of charging her at all).She says OK,,my husband used to take care of stuff like this,,but hes been gone for ten years now.Well,,I got the skunks out of there.Im yanking traps and she comes out and asked what she owes me.I said this one is free cause I was in the area any how(wich I wasn't).She says you sure,,I says yup.Well,she said theres something in the old barn you maybe could use,,follow me.She gave me a bushel basket FULL of Blake and Lamb 1 1/2 jump traps that were like new,,and three Coon sized Haveahart live traps that used to be her husbands. LOL Once in a while a good deed DOESNT get punished.
Other than stuff like that,,I am NOT bashfull when it comes to charging for my services.They are paying for knowledge that took me many years to accumulate.