Conservatory Company

[Snapester]

Been doing a few jobs for a conservatory company, only problem is i find it hard to give a price as how do i know if there is RCD protection or bonding is up to standard etc? Is anyone else doing work like this where you dont get to see the job but working on rough estimates?
Do you have a covering letter sent out with the customer with the work quote?

Cheers

 

[needasparks]

I think fella you know the answer to that one its impossible to say.
If your not going to be allowed to site visit then they should not be concerned if your price goes up.
Best thing i would say is if you have done a few of these jobs, price from the easiest job and assume all is correct (earthing, rcd etc) and anything other than you have quoted is extra. By now i guess you know much of what the builders normally fit so go with that. If they don't accept it then you will be out of pocket real soon.

 

[Snapester]

Yeah totally, i agree i have done couple some easy and some not so but generally 2 twins sockets and centre light or wall fittings usually of FCU so that is pretty easy to price plus going back after the plasterer has been.
But i need a way to cover myself if the other items such as bonding or RCD protection not in place. Do you have a covering note for such?

 

[needasparks]

TBH a covering letter is useless if you don't know or get on with the builder. From time to time i do let small things go through un-priced but mark up on others to get it back. Builder thinks he has one up and you look easy to work with.
Bet your life the client gets all the extras from him. Only works like that once you gained the trust, as long as you don't rip them off it can be an easy flow of work with someone else doing the selling.

 

[trev]

Prior to the introduction of Part P I used to do a bit for a couple of conservatory companies. During negotiations I realised that there was a potential for me getting stiffed so I wote to them detailing exactly what I was prepared to do for the agreed price and that anything else would be billed to them on a time + materials basis. They accepted that and only ever once quibbled over money.
As a spin off I used to get a shedload of other work from the people getting the conservatorys

 

[Snapester]

Yeah i get on with the guys well, only problem is they had a guy doing the electrics for mega cheap and not great quality only problem here is that they expect me to be as cheap. But i dont do cheap shoddy work so the prices are more and they are just getting that through their heads. He rang me today saying we need you back to do some work as we have some big jobs and need them doing properly...... i had to laugh.

 

[needasparks]

Sounds like he is on the back foot, now is the time be firm with your pricing. He won't go backwards to the cheap guy he has already played his ace. remember your the one with the skill, any monkey can fit plastic together and dig holes. Think of it like poker......

Hang on........is that not what we do........well you get the idea anyway.

 

[Snapester]

Yeah i think you are right im going to email him and say we need to work something out regarding pricing and extras as i can't afford obviously to be out of pocket with these jobs.

 

[Des 56]

Instead of pricing basic,go the full hog and price the worse case,then reduce the cost for the compliant installs,that would certainly send the message to the builder
:sifone:


Leave any guilt complex and give it to him straight,it costs what it costs,and you can justify each price

 

[RISElectrical]

Price for the basic, then in the quote just qualify anything other than what's stated out of the price. State that everything else will be done on an day rate of £XX per hour, materials £cost+5% and plant £cost+5% simples

 

[sythai]

Is anyone else doing work like this where you dont get to see the job but working on rough estimates?
Do you have a covering letter sent out with the customer with the work quote?

Cheers

Hello Chap...

I do works for few different kitchen & bathroom companies. Similar scenario really.

Always tag on the end of my estimate :

* Note : It is a requirement that all existing earth bonding arrangements, circuits and equipment to be worked upon need to comply with current regulations, and should any underlying faults be present, then these will need to be rectified as an extra at £XX/hour + any materials required +VAT

Just covers your --- then.

Hope that helps,

Sy

 

[Snapester]

Yeah that's basically what I'm after mate, do you charge £30 p/hr on these jobs or slightly less?

 

[sythai]

Bang on £30/hr...

 

[Snapester]

Ah cool thanks for the help do you mind if I use your disclaimer?

 

[sythai]

No probs (you can always press the thanks button if you fancy it:smiley2

Cheers Sy