Reasonable?

[flynnyman]

What you say makes sense, but whilst I can't be certain, I don't think they'll be using anyone else or even getting other quotes. We did a £25k job for them last year, and two of their neighbours want similar work this Autumn without getting other quotes.

I work the same way, I don't do estimates only quotes. I detail what I'll do, and what it'll cost. If something unexpected crops up then that's my problem not theirs, so they shouldn't be asked to pay for it.

Fair play I thought you was on about doing that from now on with customers.

 

[ChrispyUK]

I have an existing customer who's thinking about having one maybe two interior stud walls removed from the kitchen diner which is on the third floor of a four storey house. He wants a quote and opinions/advice, which I'll do.

I know from previous experience there that there will be heating pipes, alarm cables, power cables and Christ knows what else running inside the wall.

So I've offered him two choices for the quote:-

1) I'll have a look and make an educated guess. Then if there's stuff that has to be moved, re-routed or something that can't be shifted he'll be looking at extra costs, building a false pillar or whatever. Basically, "we'll see what we find when we start dismantling and go from there". Usual

2) I can scan the wall and tell him exactly what's in it, (plastic pipes, metal pipes, cables, ducts, trunking, timber studs etc) how deep, and where they run to the millimetre so he can make decisions up front.

Obviously option 2) is the best, but the scanner is seven hundred quids worth. So I've told him that I'll be charging £50:00 + VAT to use it per wall with the write up.

I don't think that's unfair, but wondered what you lot think?

This is all coming from me thinking about how much expensive kit I have that ends up getting used for free to the customer. Not so much putting up prices to account for it, more charging differing amounts for the use of it.

Use it to help you quote, but just put the price on the quote. However accurate it is or you think it is you may still get some surprises so as long as you explain any pitfalls to the customer, then you're covered. If they don't agree to any contingencies then don't take the job on as they're unreasonable and tight buggers.

 

[Danny]

looks like a smart tool to be honest Its pricey but could save a lot of money

I think go with option 2... if they say nope, then I dont think you want them as a customer anyway Spend a few hundred to save way more if it goes wrong... seems a no brainer

 

[malc]

I work the same way, I don't do estimates only quotes. I detail what I'll do, and what it'll cost. If something unexpected crops up then that's my problem not theirs, so they shouldn't be asked to pay for it.

it is to risky just stick to a quote when something unexpected crops up. it is their problem and i would ask for payment.

years ago we sub for a major essex road and house builder, the owner said on a large road job that the firm would stick to its quote, the company nearly folded shares fell from 35p to 5p, no one paid for 3 months .

 

[zolco]

What you say makes sense, but whilst I can't be certain, I don't think they'll be using anyone else or even getting other quotes. We did a £25k job for them last year, and two of their neighbours want similar work this Autumn without getting other quotes.

I work the same way, I don't do estimates only quotes. I detail what I'll do, and what it'll cost. If something unexpected crops up then that's my problem not theirs, so they shouldn't be asked to pay for it.

Now that's the first i heard that someone rather does a quote and swallows up the unexpected bills, load of bs

 

[Deleted member 23452]

Now that's the first i heard that someone rather does a quote and swallows up the unexpected bills, load of bs

What's BS? If you mean I don't then I'm afraid your wrong, don't judge everyone by your own standards. You may not be able to price a job properly but others can.

It goes without saying that occasionally something will crop up that wasn't accounted for, but it's rare. When it does then that's not the customer's fault, it's either a mistake, lack of planning, or something I should have known about and accounted for. I take my professional reputation very seriously, and consider it a point of principle to be good to my word.

I can hand on heart absolutely guarantee that I have never once increased a quoted price. @Nisus has been working with me on a load of jobs over the last three years and he can verify it hasn't happened in that time. The only time a price increases is when a customer asks for something additional to the original quote.

 

[zolco]

What's BS? If you mean I don't then I'm afraid your wrong, don't judge everyone by your own standards. You may not be able to price a job properly but others can.

It goes without saying that occasionally something will crop up that wasn't accounted for, but it's rare. When it does then that's not the customer's fault, it's either a mistake, lack of planning, or something I should have known about and accounted for. I take my professional reputation very seriously, and consider it a point of principle to be good to my word.

I can hand on heart absolutely guarantee that I have never once increased a quoted price. @Nisus has been working with me on a load of jobs over the last three years and he can verify it hasn't happened in that time. The only time a price increases is when a customer asks for something additional to the original quote.

I'm more than capable to price a job properly thanks very much. I'm only saying bs as why would you bite the bullet for unforeseen circumstances? Thats just insensible. You haven't got x ray eyes, you can have the best techie techie stuff and still can fire a blank.
Because you sound like a lexicon every time you're on here don't have to belittle others and jump at them.

 

[Deleted member 23452]

I'm more than capable to price a job properly thanks very much. I'm only saying bs as why would you bite the bullet for unforeseen circumstances? Thats just insensible. You haven't got x ray eyes, you can have the best techie techie stuff and still can fire a blank.
Because you sound like a lexicon every time you're on here don't have to belittle others and jump at them.

I'm not belittling anyone. You called me a liar with no information to come to that conclusion other than you not thinking it was possible. How did you think I'd respond?

As for sounding like a lexicon, I'm not exactly working against a high bar when compared to a lot of so called builders. I work to my strengths and know my limits, so I don't jump in to a thread unless I have something worthwhile to add.

 

[zolco]

I'm not belittling anyone. You called me a liar with no information to come to that conclusion other than you not thinking it was possible. How did you think I'd respond?

As for sounding like a lexicon, I'm not exactly working against a high bar when compared to a lot of so called builders. I work to my strengths and know my limits, so I don't jump in to a thread unless I have something worthwhile to add.

I never have never called you a liar as far as i can remember, all i said its a load of bs which expressed my feelings towards your fixed quoting system. Not exactly the same as if i would've called you a liar is it?
As for jumping on your thread, was only happened as i don't agree with your quoting policy but then again horses for courses.

 

[jamesthefirst]

Unusual to see zolco like this you bitch imago.

 

[Deleted member 23452]

I never have never called you a liar as far as i can remember, all i said its a load of bs which expressed my feelings towards your fixed quoting system. Not exactly the same as if i would've called you a liar is it?

That's how it read to me, but if that's not how you meant it then I've got the wrong end of the stick and I apologise.

Now that's the first i heard that someone rather does a quote and swallows up the unexpected bills, load of bs

I wasn't saying you were jumping into this thread, I was just saying that I don't post unless I think I have something worth adding.

As for jumping on your thread, was only happened as i don't agree with your quoting policy but then again horses for courses.

 

[Deleted member 23452]

I've just had an email back from the customer.

"That sounds like a great piece of kit, £60 seems well worth it! I don't want to wait to encounter any issues half way through a demolition. Lets book it in if that's OK."

I'm off to see a venture capitalist to fund my new wall scanning business.

 

[flynnyman]

@zolco my price never ever goes up from the quote unless there are extras added but I usually make them aware of this on the initial visit. To be fair I think working like this sometimes loses me a few jobs Coz it sounds like I'm complicating it, so some go with the simple quote then realise they need to replace skirting, architraves, sockets and lighting. And I love that word lexicon definitely the word of the week, well done xx

 

[markyspread]

stud walls, agree a price to remove one side of board carefully then re- asses from there ??
no hidden surprises and you cover your arse and erm...... dont get wet/ electrocuted

 

[flynnyman]

stud walls, agree a price to remove one side of board carefully then re- asses from there ??
no hidden surprises and you cover your arse and erm...... dont get wet/ electrocuted

I doubt anyone in their right Mind would let you into their house to take it apart then price to put it back together.

 

[Danny]

expect the unexpected...

Hacked a render off and it took the bricks with it... that was an extra... well it was for the brickie