Some folks can trap themselves by pricing too low, then after a time the job is no good to continue with because the price was too low and they don’t know how to bring up to standard.
I was called to give a bid on a two story waterfront this afternoon. (Yea, I’m one of those guys who does it in person - deal with it.) I get there and it is a somewhat newer home but the windows haven’t been cleaned in a year or so. The lady said her previous window cleaner doesn’t answer his phone. (There’s a tip for you foks!). So she asks for inside and out and wants a maintenance clean going forward. I quote $514 in/out, tracks, screens and three stairwell windows (Pain to do!). As she is gasping for breath I just keep talking and say “I have Tues/Wed or Fri available. She say’s the last guy did it for $130. I tell her that is probably why he doesn’t respond to your phone calls; I run about midway of the national average”. She says “Okay, it needs to be done, when can you do it”. SHe’s booked for Wednesday. No way, no how, un-uh, not for $130 in/out, not for $130 out only.
You new guys, set fair prices for yourself, have a solid minimum. Don’t let the old story of “The last guy did it for a fraction of what you want”. Remind them that they can always try to get the last guy to come back for those prices.
Work for rice and beans, or work for a full nutritional meal each day.
Good to hear you stood your ground. Reminds me of this: I went on a estimate and gave her the price. She said, “That is double what we were paying the last window cleaner.” I told her “There is a reason you had to wait over a year to get on my schedule.” She has now been on my schedule since 2010. An incredible family to work for.
Keep in mind, I already knew about the last guy. I made sure I set myself apart from him that day.
I find a contrast in what other pro’s say here on the forum. Garry is a good businessman, and he does things the way I believe he is supposed to. He prices fairly and doesn’t bow to cheap skates. He knows his value and what he has to offer.
I see the opposite at times here. Some telling people they are charging too much, then complaining about their own misfortunes at times.
I don’t care how “big” your business is, how long you have been doing this, or anything else. We all should be getting paid fairly for our time, effort, expertise, and return on investment. If you aren’t getting what you want out of your business, it’s nobody’s fault but your own. Just because things aren’t the way you’d like to see them, there is no reason to expect others to follow you into your unhappiness.
Garry is a great example of someone being successful and running their business like a boss.
I did just that last weekend while canvassing. I am on the lower end off low for my first wave of new clients. I do intend to increase the amount as I go. On Sunday I had a store front call me to clean that day. I quoted him for $10 for the outside. I got done and he said the other guy did the inside as well for that price. I told him I can not do both inside and out for that price. So he said ok I will pay you double. This is a weekly account. But I can relate to what you are saying.
“The other guy” that did it for half the price is mysteriously missing. You don’t want to follow in his footsteps.
It is just not worth it business wise to load up and show up for bare minimum.
