Perhaps I'm over reacting, but this really got my goat today.
Confirming a job due to start on Monday with client this afternoon, explaining again what we had planned to do etc. I happened to mention, that if all went well, I would like to be able to finish off on site that day. Client then chipped in saying thats some amount money for just one days work.
Job is re-seeding an unmowable lawn. that was originally sown out by builders. I've already burnt off the old grass and will be adding seven tonne (four of which is already on site) of topsoil, rotovating, raking and sowing out, and a first cut. All for £610.00.
Out of that £610.00 I've to take the time spent spraying off the site, the collection and return of the rotovator hire, the three tonne of screen top-soil, the supply and purchase of the grass seed, a days wage for the labourer, my own costs and overheads, and a trip for the first cut and make right any problems should they happen to be any.
Payment terms are split over two months as the client said he needs to spread the cost over two pay cheques.
It is a round trip of 47 miles, with travel time taking about an hour.
If we want to work our balls off or work late and finish the job in one day, and save a return journey in the morning, and actually make a profit to tie me over the winter, thats my call.
Sometimes Joe Public just doesn't realise that everything single action has its associated cost. They only see one figure and think you are fleecing them and coining it in.
Rant over.
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Replies
Your not over reacting at all, i have noticed this happening more and more these days, people just dont realise how much work is involved in landscaping and the costs assosciated with it. I am now focusing more on the maintenance side of the business where the only charges are labour and waste disposal, it seems to be much more profitable for me.
I hate it when people say "can't you do it for cheaper than that?"
I'm always tempted to say: "Do you say that to the cashier when you go to tesco's? or to the window cleaner or plumber?"
I don't know what it is with the landscaping/gardening trade but it seems people are very ready to question prices!
I have every sympathy (read.. empathy) but aren't these people just playing the game… can't blame them - this is why we became self-employed – and with a thick skin an all that - we call the shots.
I agree with Rowley, Pete and, to a lesser extent, John at Ace: either detail the work and 'big it up' so they realise they are getting value for money or just give them a price and walk away if they try to chip you. I've been in some form of commerce all my working life and people will rarely accept the first price given.
We are in a service industry and have to show value for money. The customer has no idea where that value lies and it has to be spelt out. If you do it right you'll even win jobs where they have had a better price.
That said, it's great that we have this outlet to bitch about the things that annoy us!
Hi Andrew, they do it to window cleaners too - believe me! The favourite is if you can do it cheaper I can get you more customers - we always say thanks but no thanks because in the past we believed them and it never happened - they just had a bargain.
We had an electrician come to do some work for us the other day. He gave us a price, we said yes because it sounded pretty damn reasonable. He was telling us that he was asked to quote for a rewiring job at a very posh house. He turned up and saw 2 of his competitors vans on the drive, and 2 more arrived while he was waiting for the guy to come out! He basically had got together 5 companies and said that the cheapest got the job. This guy and 2 others just got in the car and drove off.
andrew doughty said:
i have a customer that runs her own jewelry business its just a small outfit she works on her own making everything from scratch and then sells it at fairs and things, she always gets people asking her why everything is so expensive, all her jewelry is solid hallmarked silver and sometimes it can take days to reach the finished product that she is happy to sell as hers, recently a group of friends of hers organised a charity sale and a percentage went to the charity but in the talks before it was suggested that they found someone that could do cheap jewelry as in a bit of string and plastic beads she almost pulled out, and that was her friends!
A way I use to educate our clients is to prepare a detailed Quote showing all the sub tasks with one single price at the end (we never break down our quotes or justify individual item prices).
Most people do not realise all the tasks and background work that goes on to prepare and action a job as all they see is 'you' on site on the day.
You should NEVER just submit a one line quote (unless it is in itself a simple one task job) to client.
I find with turfing/seeding they just think you throw down turf/seed and it sorts itself out. We had an enquiry last month and went to see the site. To be honest it was a start again job, similar to the scenario though. The potential customer said that he knew the cost of the turf/number of rolls but he just wanted a price for the labour! When we went through everything that needed doing he said he'd do it himself as he thought this was over the top.
Went past the house - he still hasn't done it!
I think a lot of the issue currently which is affecting all businesses/trades to a greater or lesser extent that everyone is trying to save monies where they can and I think it's pretty inevitable that we will have customers trying to beat us down. Gary's idea above at least helps cover off all the 'back ground' work which I think some customers forget about!
.... id expect payment within 7 days maximum..
As Gary RK said - so that client knows what they are getting, always best to break quote into bullet points e.g.
* Burn off existing lawn
* Rotavate
* Level site
* Supply & incorporate 7 Tonnes of topsoil
* Supply and seed (specify seed)
* Revisit
* Etc
And all the other bits and bobs that you have to do
Hard landscaping is just as difficult, as people only see what is above ground - lol
As an aside how would client feel if his employer said he was a "bit short" this month, but will make it up next month?
let your customer save for 2 months then he/she can pay you in full at end of job
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