Day rates. Where do you draw the line between expensive and a rip off?

[WaterTight]

South East. Non-gas plumbing.

I ask because I don't want to cross that line but I'd like to have my toes on it whenever humanly possible.

Also do you factor in materials/parts mark up when deciding on a day rate or is that a separate Brucey boner?

Thanks.

 

[newcastle phill]

You just have to factor all these in. Diesel, everything.
I generally give an overall price cos I hate price breakdows where they pick away and come back with the "ill get that bit" etc

 

[plumben]

Anything that's a bonus like mark up isn't factored in as its a bonus

 

[Ray Stafford]

Have a look at the PDF attached to the OP on this thread Watertight.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Anything that's a bonus like mark up isn't factored in as its a bonus

It shouldn't be considered a bonus. When you supply materials, you take on a host of legal responsibilities to the customer - all the responsibilities of a retailer. You have also incurred overhead in either fetching from the merchant, or carrying on your van etc.

Your mark up on materials is your just and proper return for shouldering those costs.

 

[plumben]

It shouldn't be considered a bonus. When you supply materials, you take on a host of legal responsibilities to the customer

I know it shouldn't be considered a bonus, but when you actually sit down and work out how much work you actually do FOC for customers that you don't/can't charge for 100% mark up wouldn't cover it sometimes so bonus makes me happier at the end of the week

 

[Millsy 82]

If people need oxygen after you tell them the price you have probably over stepped the mark.

 

[mountainman]

If you charge cheap you will never earn a good living.
Customers won't be loyal to you so why should you be the cheapest kid on the block?

 

[gassafe]

There is no line

 

[WaterTight]

It shouldn't be considered a bonus. When you supply materials, you take on a host of legal responsibilities to the customer - all the responsibilities of a retailer. You have also incurred overhead in either fetching from the merchant, or carrying on your van etc.

Your mark up on materials is your just and proper return for shouldering those costs.

Well said.

 

[oz-plumber]

If people need oxygen after you tell them the price you have probably over stepped the mark.

Not necessarily - some people will reach for the oxygen no matter what figure you quote.
Even if you quoted below cost!

 

[hammers4spanner]

It shouldn't be considered a bonus. When you supply materials, you take on a host of legal responsibilities to the customer - all the responsibilities of a retailer. You have also incurred overhead in either fetching from the merchant, or carrying on your van etc.

Your mark up on materials is your just and proper return for shouldering those costs.

Unfortunately the customer does not understand this these days most are to paranoid that you may make a tenner or something .

 

[SimonG]

You just have to factor all these in. Diesel, everything.
I generally give an overall price cos I hate price breakdows where they pick away and come back with the "ill get that bit" etc

I say crack on, because I dont take my 30% off, the estimate only reduces by cost

 

[plumben]

I say crack on, because I dont take my 30% off, the estimate only reduces by cost

Add an additional 10% on top of the 30% for the hassle of them supplying there own gear

 

[stevetheplumber]

I had a guy phone me saturday night despite me telling him i was away for the weekend on friday afternoon who then spent 15 minuteas wafling on about budgets and expectations to get to the point of asking if i could cut my price down obviously it was a emphatic no

 

[SafeGasInstall]

day work min £350 + expenses
price min £450+ expenses