Quote for a tiny job

[WarwickApp]

Hi guys. A woman who lives about a mile away has asked me to change two outside lights. One being a floodlight with built in PIR, the other just a stainless lantern. Both have existing wiring in place which is all fine. For the floodlight I need to provide a rotational bracket (cost me about £10) and the customer is providing the light fittings. I don’t want to rip the lady off, but at the same time I want it to be worth my while going to do the work. What would you guys be charging? I’m expecting it to be a 30 min job on my way home.

cheers

 

[Yozza19]

£70-£80 cash

 

[mattg4321]

£80 plus vat

 

[catdog1121]

Its always more than twice the amount of time than you think. I generally have a minimum charge so including bracket and other sundries would be £75 (Not VAT registered so no vat to pay)

 

[LukeD]

£70-£80 cash

Best trick in the book..... never ever take cash off people unless you truly know them. Ive seen it turn on a friend when the client was not happy about something

 

[buzzlightyear]

what puzzles me is how much to charge.
You run a business not a charity.
I must thing of your overheads.
Me for that job £120.00. see what they charge at the local robbin hood garage.

 

[LukeD]

Via the books 80

 

[rapparee]

There was me thinking £40 ?

Is this just a homer, or is it a real job

 

[mattg4321]

I don’t get my tools out for less than £60 absolute minimum even for 10 mins in and out.

Unless a close mate or someone I owe a favour etc

 

[LukeD]

There was me thinking £40 ?

Is this just a homer, or is it a real job

No difference. Its getting a job done for someone who needs it doing . Throw in the time to do a receipt etc .Unless you have OXFAM stamped on the side of your van !

 

[littlespark]

“Just change a light” usually means ladder in an awkward place, so quote that in…..

or just tell her it will be on hourly rate

 

[suffolkspark]

Likely going to need a wiska box for the flood if the new one comes pre flexed, few of your own fixings and bits and bobs, sounds about £60 to me. No vat

 

[Vortigern]

If you are well established, then as above. If not my approach to the new place I live in is to do things cheaply on small jobs. Get to know the customer and make it a loss leader just to get myself known and hopefully liked. Of course as noted there may be complications such as you do a loop test and something is wrong then it gets a bit more expensive given the client has been advised and agrees to further work. I tend to find around 10% of jobs there is something wrong with the earth in one form or another, such things as that.

 

[LukeD]

If you are well established, then as above. If not my approach to the new place I live in is to do things cheaply on small jobs. Get to know the customer and make it a loss leader just to get myself known and hopefully liked. Of course as noted there may be complications such as you do a loop test and something is wrong then it gets a bit more expensive given the client has been advised and agrees to further work. I tend to find around 10% of jobs there is something wrong with the earth in one form or another, such things as that.

NEVER !!! Once cheap always cheap. The customers have great memories and expectations .

 

[DJAndy]

“Just change a light” usually means ladder in an awkward place, so quote that in…..

or just tell her it will be on hourly rate

I did not charge enough for this. Not a light, but certainly awkward.

 

[buzzlightyear]

This guy will get you out of a tight spot. Lol.

 

[Zerax]

This guy will get you out of a tight spot. Lol.

Nah... tried him before... he's a right clown !

 

[Markyd]

All that matters is what you are happy with

 

[Intoelectrics]

I've had the old chestnut of "its just a couple of lights to swap" before and ended up caught out. On the other hand I have done small jobs for folks that turned out to be so simple it left me feeling like I was ripping the customer off. I've had the ones that are happy to pay the price, keep you fed and watered on tea and biscuits and even slipped a few extra quid on top. Then those that "can you just... while you are here" and/or expect the earth for their payment.
I think things balance out eventually, especially if you remember, this is your business and its what you do to earn a living. When you sit down and consider all your outgoings you soon realise that if you are not careful you can end up a busy fool.
If its a straight forward job and likely to bring you repeat custom then just charge what you feel is a fair price. In that, fair to you and your customer!

 

[happysteve]

"£40, assuming it takes less than an hour and I don't need any materials. I'll need to check there's an earth before I start."

If it really is a 10-15 min job, and less than 5-10 mins away, and no materials other than a couple of screws/wall plugs, and the customer has been courteous / kind, I might well just charge £20... but I'd never give them this figure in advance.