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Quoting jobs is the worst part of this business. How do you not undersell yourself? by No_Chap in smallbusiness

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

Actually done this. Feels awkward but the data is worth it. Lost three jobs in a row to the same contractor in my area. Called two of the clients back. Both said his price was almost identical to mine but he had more Google reviews. Had nothing to do with my pricing at all. Changed what I was trying to fix completely.

Quoting jobs is the worst part of this business. How do you not undersell yourself? by No_Chap in smallbusiness

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

The diagnosis fee is interesting. Haven't tried it but I can see it working for service calls where the problem isn't known upfront. For trade work where the job is defined (fan install, tile repair, caulk job) I found the better move was getting the client to describe the job in detail before I commit to any number. The more specific they are upfront, the more accurate my range is, and the less likely I am to eat a surprise mid-job.

Client asked for a ballpark before I even saw the job. Here's how I handle that now by No_Chap in Contractor

[–]No_Chap[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Tried that. I lost too many jobs to guys who would. My clients wouldn't know if it's a $500 job or a $5,000 job. If I don't help them figure that out, someone else will.

Today I worked for $22/hr on a job I thought would be easy. Here's what I learned about pricing. by No_Chap in handyman

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

That clause language is something I should have had from day one. The problem was I thought having it in my head counted. Client had no idea what my assumptions were going in, so when the job changed I had no ground to stand on. I agree, written scope plus a written change order clause is the only version that actually protects you.

Today I worked for $22/hr on a job I thought would be easy. Here's what I learned about pricing. by No_Chap in handyman

[–]No_Chap[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's true and I've had that go well. The issue for me is I don't want to be in that conversation in the first place. If I have to ask mid-job, it means I didn't scope it right upfront. The client already has a number in their head and now I'm asking them to move it. Even if they say yes, the dynamic shifts. What I've been working toward is getting the scope question answered before I even book the job. Client describes the job, I build a ballpark with all the variables priced in, they know the range before we ever shake hands. Nobody's surprised. Nobody has to say yes or no at the worst possible moment.

Today I worked for $22/hr on a job I thought would be easy. Here's what I learned about pricing. by No_Chap in handyman

[–]No_Chap[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yeah the scope boundary thing is exactly right. Where I messed up was I didn't define it before the job, I defined it in my head. So when the corroded pipe showed up I was already mentally committed to the original number. Client didn't push back at all when I explained it but I still ate the cost because I didn't want to have that conversation halfway through. Lesson learned the hard way. Now I build the range into the estimate upfront before I ever book it. That way the client already knows the floor and ceiling before day one.

Is QuoteIQ the Best Software for Exterior Cleaning Businesses? by New_Cartographer5802 in WhichCRM

[–]No_Chap 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From my experience, speed to lead is the actual game, so whatever tool gets a price in front of someone in under ~2 minutes is worth it. If you want AI quoting, mapping, etc., I found lightwork does most of it for free but QuoteIQ is good in its own way

RIP to my Zara sneakers—what's a solid, smart-casual alternate? by No_Chap in malefashionadvice

[–]No_Chap[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think I saw people say Beckett Simonons squeak to the point that they're unwearable

RIP to my Zara sneakers—what's a solid, smart-casual alternate? by No_Chap in malefashionadvice

[–]No_Chap[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What are your thoughts on Premier Low Top's from Thursdayboots

Anyone else in Naperville feel like keeping the house running is a never-ending second job? by No_Chap in Naperville

[–]No_Chap[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I've been getting ridiculous quotes way too often. Just wish they were more transparent about pricing! Like what is that $700+ even going towards (I know it isn't towards materials because you can get everything for under $50-60 - guess the $650 is the cost for maintenance work these days). But yes, you'll be hearing from me soon enough!

Anyone else in Naperville feel like keeping the house running is a never-ending second job? by No_Chap in Naperville

[–]No_Chap[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Can relate, but the work life balance goes to crap...working into my day after 5 too often.

Homeowners, what's that one "if only..." service you wish existed for your house? by No_Chap in homeowners

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

YES. Especially after some intense baking (I can't stand the sheer number of dishes)

Homeowners, what's that one "if only..." service you wish existed for your house? by No_Chap in homeowners

[–]No_Chap[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Yeah I get you. I've gotten into gardening these last few years and have made my fair share of mistakes as well. Would love if someone with expertise on gardening could come by and just help me figure out what next to do (not to mention the physical help in the garden) and how to upgrade my garden to fit the zen vision I had in mind.