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View the thread, titled "Pricing jobs" which is posted in UK Plumbers Forums on UK Plumbers Forums.
i use a spreadsheet in xl to list out materials + % then estimate number of days/hours to do the job, add a bit on and that's my price.
Gets easier with experience and also if you log materials and time actually used to compare back to your estimate.
Gets easier with experience and also if you log materials and time actually used to compare back to your estimate.
Don't worry about 'ripping the customer off'.
You'll even be accused of being a 'rip off', when you lose money on the job.
Look after yourself first and then worry about the customer.
Take the wins when you get them because you'll never recoup the losses
You'll even be accused of being a 'rip off', when you lose money on the job.
Look after yourself first and then worry about the customer.
Take the wins when you get them because you'll never recoup the losses
I do same.
Still out on bigger jobs but I send it as an estimate so not really tied that tightly. Trouble with Plumbing as you well know, is that nothing goes smooth. If it does, it makes you suspicious!!
The thing is if you get your estimate wrong or if customer doesn't take on board that it's an estimate-
( often they steer clear of estimates and want quotes-fixed price ) It's a tough one I think- i am always fretting over the cost - my rates and then the estimated materials - I find this the hardest challenge.
Sure you can check out the competition to see what they charge but it's actually quite hard to find out- nearly none have their rates on their websites. Comparison sites only give you the local contacts not their rates.
I also have a spreadsheet for materials and costs but lately I find that it's useless as the prices of materials go up fast, it's hard to keep updated prices- especially if the suppliers are limited too.
How long do you spend searching for items that are cheaper than in the shops online.
Sorry I realise this is going on a bit now...but..
If you do buy stuff online it's a long time on the pc trying to find the bit's (in this case thermostatic cartridges) and by the time you've ordered (between jobs) and paid the postage and waited for the item to arrive - it's such long drawn out process- I've lost the will to do the job. Plus sometimes you just get it wrong and it's too small or you missed a detail and it doesn't fit, Then you either send it back or land up with a whole lot of junk in your garage.
Are there any business running forums, to give advise about how to juggle all the different elements of running your own business? Get the pricing right, protect yourself against rouge customers and how make a decent profit, without out pricing yourself. Advertising options and just the general mayhem of trying to do it successfully.
Ok rant over
Thanks for listening
one slightly fed up plumber or gas engineer
or old fart
( often they steer clear of estimates and want quotes-fixed price ) It's a tough one I think- i am always fretting over the cost - my rates and then the estimated materials - I find this the hardest challenge.
Sure you can check out the competition to see what they charge but it's actually quite hard to find out- nearly none have their rates on their websites. Comparison sites only give you the local contacts not their rates.
I also have a spreadsheet for materials and costs but lately I find that it's useless as the prices of materials go up fast, it's hard to keep updated prices- especially if the suppliers are limited too.
How long do you spend searching for items that are cheaper than in the shops online.
Sorry I realise this is going on a bit now...but..
If you do buy stuff online it's a long time on the pc trying to find the bit's (in this case thermostatic cartridges) and by the time you've ordered (between jobs) and paid the postage and waited for the item to arrive - it's such long drawn out process- I've lost the will to do the job. Plus sometimes you just get it wrong and it's too small or you missed a detail and it doesn't fit, Then you either send it back or land up with a whole lot of junk in your garage.
Are there any business running forums, to give advise about how to juggle all the different elements of running your own business? Get the pricing right, protect yourself against rouge customers and how make a decent profit, without out pricing yourself. Advertising options and just the general mayhem of trying to do it successfully.
Ok rant over
Thanks for listening
one slightly fed up plumber or gas engineer
or old fart
This has been discussed several times on this forum over the years. Use the 'search' box at the top right of the page and look for things like 'how much to charge', 'quotations' 'estimates', etc.
IIRC, the consensus is to have an account and long-term relationship with a local merchant. They offer a lot of value, e.g. sale or return, delivery to the job, good quality product, orders online or by email, etc. that you probably won't get from eBay.
IIRC, the consensus is to have an account and long-term relationship with a local merchant. They offer a lot of value, e.g. sale or return, delivery to the job, good quality product, orders online or by email, etc. that you probably won't get from eBay.
I'm stuck with either City plumbing or Plumbase or Woseley. I'm finding it really frustrating.
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