Dear Old Lady

[helpsy]

Hi All
Just after some advice. I have recently started out on my own and am doing some work for a little old lady,neighbour of mine.
I won't break any land speed records doing the job, but just want to do a nice job.
I was after some advice on what to realistically charge her.
She didn't ask for a price beforehand

What I have done:-

Collect bathroom suite
Remove bathroom tiles(approx 9sqm)
Remove loose plaster
Replaster
Remove basin,bath,toilet,electric shower
Adjust flow and return and cold feed pipework at front and rear of bath(to allow for new fixings)
Adjust toilet water supply
Fit new basin waste
Adjust shower feed pipe in wall
Fit new basin,bath,and wc
Re tile and grout
Re silicon appliances
Re fit shower
Make boxing for pipework behind basin and wc
Paint walls 2 coats
Paint boxing 3 coats wood primer/2 coats gloss
Paint ceiling 2 coats
Dispose of waste articles

This has taken me about 2.5 weeks
I know its not quick but I'm learning about the real life problems you don't get on the 6129 course

The lady has paid for all the items herself as the job has progressed.
So labour only charge
Many Thanks

 

[barronbathrooms]

From my brief experience it will benefit you to keep labour costs down. I started up only 8 weeks ago with my uncle. We charge £100 each per day. Estimating the job schedule before work commences including expenses; travel ect. Through word of mouth we are already book up till end of October. I believe in keeping costs down until the business is established. More importantly is the quality of service, good quality = good recommendations. Sorry if I have stated the obvious.

 

[helpsy]

Thanks for your advice much appreciated

 

[A1P]

Hi,Have used my son's membership to reply.He started 15 months ago with family+friends and faced similar problems in terms of pricing.When starting it was essential to get jobs+quote reasonably.You have got the job,taken your time and hopefully done a good job.This is part of your portfolio of work and hopefully a source of future recommendations.You are aware that it takes longer for you than someoe experienced therefore you will probably work on a lower day rate if using this as a way of pricing.Your 'mistake' was not to agree a price even if if you built in some flexibility.This takes uncertainty out of the cost for the job.Clearly you feel because she is a little old lady and a neighbour that this sholud be reflected in the price.You have to balance this against the value you put on your work.You have been very thorough 3 coats of paint etc.Around here W.Yorks it would be in the 1-11/2k.No doubt there will be those who will say too cheap or too dear.In the end ur starting out,you didnt give her a price and she trusted you,it is one of those where you say what would I be happy with in the circumstances.

 

[dontknowitall]

Easiest (best?) way to work it out is labour per year, divided by 48 (weeks) times 2.5 (weeks). If you hope to earn £24,000 then that is £500 per week (£100 per day) times 2.5 = £1,250.

If you hope to earn £36,000 then £750 per week or £150 per day.

48 week includes 4 weeks holiday or 2 weeks holiday plus 2 weeks mucking about shopping, quoting, re-visiting, etc. Also remember you've got other costs like insurance, van, stock you order but don't sell, advertising, diesel, tools, telephone, clothing, etc, etc. So your labour rate won't be your salary. Also remember you can make profits on materials which can help lower your labour charge.

I don't quote but if I don't estimate first I always ask the customer, when I'm finished, if the sum I want to charge is agreeable, sometimes followed up with an "Are you sure?" The last thing I want is to write an invoice then phone up 3 weeks later when it's not paid to be told "I thought it a bit steep."

Finally a clue to how much you can charge is in the price of the fittings. There's a big difference in a bathroom suite costing £1,000 and one costing £4,000.

Not saying what I've suggested is right as we're all different and all customers are different, but I hope some of it helps.

 

[helpsy]

Thanks again-Everyones input is much appreciated on the matter whether it be positive or negative