Pricing query - too high or tight builder?

[kev.k]

Hi all!

Posted on here a couple of years ago and got great advice. Have been self employed a couple of years now and always find pricing work the hardest part of the job.

Was recently asked to price for a kitchen and lounge rewire by the builder doing the work. I have priced at 5 days in total at £300 per day plus materials at £700 including spots, sockets etc so £2200 all in.

Builder came back saying was way too high and can get it done half the price, which even if I am too high can't see anybody doing it at half this price and if they do then definitely won't be able to cert and notify it

Lounge

• remove all existing sockets, lights etc
• new socket radial circuit from board
• 6 new sockets around the room
• 1 ceiling light
• 2 wall lights

Kitchen

• strip out all existing sockets, lights etc
• new socket ring circuit from board
• 8 sockets around the room
• 4 appliance sockets
• 10 spot lights
• 5 wall lights on dimmer
• 1 pendant light on dimmer
• new cooker circuit

• new rcbo board to feed all new circuits
• outdoor socket
• outdoor light
• outdoor heater on own circuit from board (customer supplying heater)

All walls are back to brick and being dot and dabbed so no chasing to be done and ceilings have been dropped so easy access for wiring the lights

Any feedback much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[davesparks]

If they can get it done for half the price then let them, just remember to charge double when they call you to fix the mess.


If you win every job that you quote for then your prices are too low.

 

[brianmoooore]

If they can get it done for half the price then let them, just remember to charge double when they call you to fix the mess.

Always been my policy, and always served me well - especially the charging double bit (while reminding them about employing cowboys at every opportunity).
In this particular case, the problem wouldn't have existed in the first place, because I've always worked directly for the customer, alongside the builder, not for the builder.

 

[loz2754]

I would be looking for £3500 for that lot. West Midlands area.

 

[MJPD29]

Let him get it done for half the price. Your rates aren't negotiable because he doesn't want to pay them.

 

[Midwest]

Builder are the creme de la creme. Have you done much work for these?

The short time I worked for a pair, they wouldn't let me quote the client direct. Thats because they wanted to add their own little mark up. Thats why your price is too high for them.

 

[kev.k]

Thanks all. Not worked for them before and already told them to go ahead with cheaper quotes, i'm not stuck for work so would never go lower than what I've quoted. Was more curious to check against what others would be quoting for same type of work to compare

 

[davesparks]

Thanks all. Not worked for them before and already told them to go ahead with cheaper quotes, i'm not stuck for work so would never go lower than what I've quoted. Was more curious to check against what others would be quoting for same type of work to compare

Personally if they questioned my price I would increase it and then re-submit it and explain that every time they question it I will increase it again

 

[nicebutdim]

Personally if they questioned my price I would increase it and then re-submit it and explain that every time they question it I will increase it again

I've done this on numerous occasions - not with services, but goods when people persistently asked for untenable discounts. I'd tell them I'd need look at costs to see what could be done, then return with a considerably higher price and explain that there'd been an error with original pricing. By far the best way to get rid of people that aren't worth dealing with.

 

[James]

I only ever quote once,
my rates are my rates, take it or leave it.

the only way they can reduce my costs are to buy there own materials.

however by doing that they remove the fixed price quote option and go to my standard hourly rate.
therefore they take on the risk if the job overruns on time and the problems with faulty parts etc.

 

[Dustydazzler]

So let me get this straight , you quoted £2.2K and the builder reckons they can get it done for a 1/2 that. No sparks in their right mind would do a board change and all that work for a grand. Not a chance.
Even your £2.2k was very much on the cheap side.
I would be well over £3K for a job like that otherwise I wouldn't even bother with it