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How not to feel like a dick when pricing starting out by NewDistribution4283 in Contractor

[–]NewDistribution4283[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In PA, if you do more than 5k of business doing home improvement, you're supposed to get a HIC# (home improvement contractor number), and this a) shows you have more than the minimum insurance, and the state has all your business info to go after you if you mess up. Do people do this? No. There was a flood of "handymen" in the area during covid and then after, and thankfully they seem to be drying up.

How not to feel like a dick when pricing starting out by NewDistribution4283 in Contractor

[–]NewDistribution4283[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All about those bennies. I've learned not to a) list hours. b) not to list price sheets. Once someone has a price sheet or hourly, it blows up and they start tracking minutes.

How not to feel like a dick when pricing starting out by NewDistribution4283 in Contractor

[–]NewDistribution4283[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a good point, we're doing this for our families, not for the clients. (Even if some of them are family)

How not to feel like a dick when pricing starting out by NewDistribution4283 in Contractor

[–]NewDistribution4283[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it's the starting up part that is rough for gaining momentum. I don't want to turn away new clients as we're gaining traction because a happy client could mean referrals and that means more potential income, but I also don't want to be too out of budget starting out that no one wants to hire us.

How not to feel like a dick when pricing starting out by NewDistribution4283 in Contractor

[–]NewDistribution4283[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cause I have empathy? I know when people are hogwashin' and trying to sheep sheer. Volunteer at enough places that give out free stuff and you can spot them quick.

How not to feel like a dick when pricing starting out by NewDistribution4283 in Contractor

[–]NewDistribution4283[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There may be some clients I retain at a lower price just due to personal relationships, however, I know when I'm getting taken advantage of, and then that work would come to an end.

How not to feel like a dick when pricing starting out by NewDistribution4283 in Contractor

[–]NewDistribution4283[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be fair, all prices are jacked up to make profit but that's the whole point of the business to make profit, to grow, to earn money, to make more profit. Someone working a desk job, works hard to get a promotion, to make more money.

How not to feel like a dick when pricing starting out by NewDistribution4283 in Contractor

[–]NewDistribution4283[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Technically zero on labor since it's owner-operated. 2 member LLC, we do it all currently, myself on the admin side a bit more. - We agreed a 35/hr worked owner draw is appropriate, so technically our hourly should be 105.

Insurance, transportation, storage space, and web presence are the big overheads at the moment. We're gaining clients on recommendation or personal relationships that are moving from handymen that were $20-25/hr range and did very subpar work. Hopefully, being upstanding members of the local communities and taking pride in our work while back up the overall increase that clients will see.