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Evening Guys.

 

Finished my third fence panel spraying job today which has caused me a slight dilemma.

The first two on Monday & Tuesday were relatively straightforward IE. minimal shrub disturbance & easy"ish" masking off of posts etc.

Todays job was the first that entailed doing an "Attenborough" and having to find my way around holly bushes and several other shrubs that hampered access to the panels, and a side door that needed bolts, hinges and awkward shaped latches to be masked with fine detailed spraying needed on the support posts attached to the house.

As the title suggests, should I be charging more at the quote stage (and would it be classed as acceptable) for these such jobs or have to take the rough with the smooth?

The only compromise I can think of is to change my marketing flyers to include the word "from £4.50" instead of just "£4.50 per panel".

Any suggestions/input would be appreciated.

Cheers.

 

David.

 

 

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  • I don't think its unreasonable to add uplifts based upon challenges you encounter.  Just need to include something in the small print and as you suggested change the price wording to "from just £4.50 per panel: as an example.

    • Thanks Graeme, I respect & appreciate your reply.

      Hope business is good down there & you're keeping healthy.

  • I would certainly be charging more for anything other than straight forward. I am up front with the customer about it
    • Hi James.

      Thanks for taking the time to reply. I like the up front bit too, still getting the odd surprised look for the honesty. It's a shame that the default position of the public wanting services nowadays is one of an expectance of being "duped".

       

      • David

        You'll always get 'the odd surprised look for the honesty' if you sell yourself and your business correctly.  It's what helps me shift the wheat from the chaff frankly.

        I grimaced when I read that you'd FIXED a price for panel spraying.  Brave business approach mate! 

        The word 'just' is in everything that you will see corporately when it comes to marketing - carpet traders, sofas, tiles, etc, etc  ''from just £xx per sm'' ....... You are no different and your marketing should reflect this.

        Good luck!

      • Hi David,

        Unfortunately the public are justifiably wary of leaflets with prices on them. We get them every day offering oven cleaning "from", carpet cleaning "from", gutters cleared "from", it's endless!

        I tihnk we're all aware that the price quoted is a starting point, and we never expect it to be the end price. Personally, so long as you're open and honest in the way you explain the extras then clients will understand you?

        I'd never quote a simple fixed price for any one job, as there are so many variables. Things like parking, access, it all needs to be factored in. The "per metre" type pricing only works with larger businesses, where the difficult jobs are evened out by many easy jobs.

  • Eugene & Paul.

    Great feedback, thank you both very much.

    Advice noted, and amazing how just one word like from "just" instead of the single word "from" makes so much of a difference!

    Will definitely be adding that on the next batch of returnable flyers.

    Thanks again guys.

    • All jobs are different and we price accordingly, using "££ per metre/sq.mtre" etc as a guide only to myself to make sure I haven't dropped a clanger somewhere along the line!  

  • How about putting ' Average price £5.50', or whatever will be the midway charge - gives customers a realistic expectation, and some a pleasant surprise.

  • David

    Good evening, your question and some of the responses have made me think. I have a similar job scheduled in the next couple of weeks with such issues as some large shrubs to work around and behind. Have priced this one but next time I am going to take a different approach, that includes the in buggerance factor.
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