Pricing jobs!!

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hail hail

hail hail

Private Member
I know pricing iz frowned on here sometimes from the main man but this isn't about how much you earn per day etc.. so discuss away lads ;)

It's been mentioned to me a few times this and last year that I'm underpricing my jobs and should go in higher. Me, what I'm happy with is, as long as I'm working, getting a wage then I'm chuffed.

It's been mentioned to me, I should be pricing in my wages and another 25-40% for profit for my business. I usually hit my pricing on the money, gain a little or sometimes take small hit if no extras been added. I'm ok with this as it all evens itself out over the course of a year. I get a wage and manage to buy new tools, Scaffolding etc.. I know I could price a job for anything but it's getting it that's the key IMO however for anyone who subs out work, how do you price. Would it be the 25-40% extra like mentioned to me or just a random figer ontop of what you know what it could get done for.

Seeing as I've been real busy these last few years, Im thinking of starting to sub work out but tbh, I've never did this so don't want to end up making a loss if i don't price accordingly because once tax man gets a hold of it, I want it to be worthwhile.
 
we do not bother to sub work out, to much aggro. you have work booked and your workforce will get some of their own work in a leave you stranded. to much time lost sorting out their problems, materials and wages.

you know when you need a job and when you do not, so price accordingly. you need to make a profit, pay into a pension, cover your running costs, cover your holiday pay. when those little extras crop up make sure you do not under charge. you can work all your life for wages.
 
@hail hail glad to see you are busy , funny I can remember only a few Christmas ago we both was a bit short of work leading into the new year, I ain't gonna comment on the subbing out thing as I will upset every mudda pucker that does but hey as long as I got 2 weeks in front of me , jobs a good un.
:birra: Happy new year :birra:
 
I done wages only for a long time when I went solo but after a few told me I should put a bit on top for say looking at job using my van collecting materials I upped my rates I vary my rates from time to time depending on job and how quick it can be done if I get people in to help I like to pay a decent day rate but expect a decent days work and good standard although I'm a bit grumpy and don't mind working alone most of the time
 
I always added a bit on for good measure :D

If they are happy with the price and you are happy then its all good :D
 
Pricing is such a obscure topic. Not because people don't want to talk but it's down to the specifics of each business.
I still struggle to price certain jobs especially bigger ones as I'm always learning.
If I think something would take 10 weeks at 1000 a week plus 15% on top but someone else thinks 8 weeks at 800 with 20% are they cheap or am I expensive?
It's a tricky one.
Small jobs you can out price yourself just as easily. Now I'm vat reg I can easily be 50-100 quid more than the next man due to overheads and vat but that is quite a lot for a job that takes a day. I might earn less than the next man aswell even though I'm more expensive as I'll lose it to vat and business costs.
It's each to there own. Sometimes I won't make a penny on a job my lads do if it's just a day job but it keeps them in work keeps clients happy gets me recommended and I'll get a bigger job off it somewhere down the line where I'll earn.
If I start losing money I'll know it's time to quit.


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I find pricing jobs like poker..... how much they want you? How much you want them?..... if i am quiet i drop my rate, if i am busy i up my rate.... if i get recommended i up my rate....i dont sub work out under my name but pass on other peoples numbers and tell them to stick a butty on it for me....
 
You don't want to be cheapest lads
You be running yourself ragged ..
Nice to be busy..

Like me / most.... you probably prefer grafting to paperwork


My jobs I use software hbxl
& plans express
Good investment but focused more on builder my jobs can range 4 to 15 weeks depending on size ..
But will cover literally everything
Nothing is missed
You can put your profits to what you choose
Takes me about 1/2hour to price a decent
Extension
Suits me I don't want to be wasting my evenings
Quoting all night

Stay busy lads ..
 
There no black art to pricing anything to be honest,
Price every job on its merits. You know how much you want a day, you know the cost of your materials, you know your general overheads.win some you loose some.
I have a fair few subbies more of a need than a want, as we take some decent size projects on and I need plenty of hands on jobs, but the biggger the project the bigger the profit margin I find, as I'm competing with big outfits with big overheads where as my overheads are quite modest so I'm not busting my balls on the tools to make a living. Best advice I ever got given was to work with your head rather than your hands.
 
hail hail said:
I know pricing iz frowned on here sometimes from the main man but this isn't about how much you earn per day etc.. so discuss away lads ;)

It's been mentioned to me a few times this and last year that I'm underpricing my jobs and should go in higher. Me, what I'm happy with is, as long as I'm working, getting a wage then I'm chuffed.

It's been mentioned to me, I should be pricing in my wages and another 25-40% for profit for my business. I usually hit my pricing on the money, gain a little or sometimes take small hit if no extras been added. I'm ok with this as it all evens itself out over the course of a year. I get a wage and manage to buy new tools, Scaffolding etc.. I know I could price a job for anything but it's getting it that's the key IMO however for anyone who subs out work, how do you price. Would it be the 25-40% extra like mentioned to me or just a random figer ontop of what you know what it could get done for.

Seeing as I've been real busy these last few years, Im thinking of starting to sub work out but tbh, I've never did this so don't want to end up making a loss if i don't price accordingly because once tax man gets a hold of it, I want it to be worthwhile.
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I used to think alot like you. I was happy for a good day rate and a fair wage. But last year I subbed some work out from a local builder, I was happy with my rate but the client let slip what he was paying the builder. I worked it out and I was getting 17% out of a 100% and yet I was still earning a good rate. The builder was just being extortionate.

Never let others in the trade or other builders dictate to you, price your work on your own back and if they don't like let them f**k off and get someone else.

I never never bend now, people will take the piss if you let them, stay 100% strong on your value and never deviate from it.
 
Pricing new builds are easier as there's less risk than say a hack off re render job.
It's the biggest lesson in business pricing work to low especially when supply & fit render systems

Some are happy to plod along skimming on there own with 2 weeks work which isn't really a business as such.self employed plasterer really
Each to there own
I find pricing work and winning contracts the easy part
The fun begins when subbies let you down
I've been fortunate to have good lads on side.without decent lads hassle is stressful and not nice
Have a good Xmas lads
I'm off out on the yearly piss up.gonna burn a big hole in my wallet today!!
[emoji106][emoji481]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Clutch & Tap said:
I used to think alot like you. I was happy for a good day rate and a fair wage. But last year I subbed some work out from a local builder, I was happy with my rate but the client let slip what he was paying the builder. I worked it out and I was getting 17% out of a 100% and yet I was still earning a good rate. The builder was just being extortionate.

Never let others in the trade or other builders dictate to you, price your work on your own back and if they don't like let them f**k off and get someone else.

I never never bend now, people will take the piss if you let them, stay 100% strong on your value and never deviate from it.
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yup !!!!! what he said, we ARE the hardest working trade, and it takes the most skill to master .
 
If I wanted to work for a wage I would work for a large outfit and not have a care in the world.

Meeting clients - pricing work - taking calls/emails/texts (some headaches) - arranging materials - arranging access - vans - insurance the list is endless, anyone doing that for a wage is a mug.
 
GrantyBoy said:
If I wanted to work for a wage I would work for a large outfit and not have a care in the world.

Meeting clients - pricing work - taking calls/emails/texts (some headaches) - arranging materials - arranging access - vans - insurance the list is endless, anyone doing that for a wage is a mug.
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If the job is on your own back then without a doubt your a 100% right... But if your subbing in a good day rate the headaches are gone.:)
 
Working for your slif is s**t. Subbing out work is s**t. But for some reason I keep doing it. But I could not work for someone else as I'd get fired. It's Keiths way or no way lol. Even when I give other plasterers a dig out i atomically take over the job. The lads don't say anything anymore lol they just let me get on with it.
 
To be honest if you are happy with the prices you are getting now you should probably stick to close to that, can't see how you would be able to hike them up 40% and still get them. The west of Ireland is full of lads claiming social either full time or part time who will undercut you and can afford to do the job cheaper.
 
Danny said:
Everyone's costs are different... everyone's lifestyles are different... everyone's standards are different
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I guess your right, I'm happy with between 500-750euro a week thou there's weeks a do get more. One thing that's in my favour is I'm mortgage free so don't have this to account for and that extra money does go far every week compared to others paying 100-250 a week on a mortgage. Stopped drinking, partying like I used to and not big into my designer gear like previous years so now this money does go further and can bang away savings.
 
Vincey said:
@hail hail glad to see you are busy , funny I can remember only a few Christmas ago we both was a bit short of work leading into the new year, I ain't gonna comment on the subbing out thing as I will upset every mudda pucker that does but hey as long as I got 2 weeks in front of me , jobs a good un.
:birra: Happy new year :birra:
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Your right. I remember sitting last Jan(15) and this Jan looking ahead thinking where's the work coming from. Turned out2 best years I've had since 08/09 when recession hit. Hoping it continues.
 
john c said:
To be honest if you are happy with the prices you are getting now you should probably stick to close to that, can't see how you would be able to hike them up 40% and still get them. The west of Ireland is full of lads claiming social either full time or part time who will undercut you and can afford to do the job cheaper.
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Tell me about it! You wanted to see the carry-on of them in Facebook in the summer. Some painter posted up his reasonable rates for his jobs. He was slaughtered with all the wee chavy and non chavy dole signers saying he's a rip off and they could do it for 70/80 a day!! The poor guy just ended up deleting his account after it after the slander he took!
 
Yup... I am one for leading a better life rather than a flash life :D

I am all about enjoying every day rather wanted to dress in the latest gear... rather spend the money on holidays :D
 
Danny said:
Yup... I am one for leading a better life rather than a flash life :D

I am all about enjoying every day rather wanted to dress in the latest gear... rather spend the money on holidays :D
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I used to be a 150euro jeans, 100 quid jumper and 100 quid s**t, 20quid boxers etc.... Now, I try and find the bargains online for a quarter or half the price. Changed days indeed. I'd actually love to go back in time, get a young me, slap the head of him.and knock some sence into him because if I added up all the money I've wasted on shite, I'd probably have another house here
 
hail hail said:
I used to be a 150euro jeans, 100 quid jumper and 100 quid s**t, 20quid boxers etc.... Now, I try and find the bargains online for a quarter or half the price. Changed days indeed. I'd actually love to go back in time, get a young me, slap the head of him.and knock some sence into him because if I added up all the money I've wasted on shite, I'd probably have another house here
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could not agree more with that however I never have regrets... I see everything I have done in the past as a way of carving the person I am now...
 
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