01/25/2021
A great post that we just had to share:
A CONVERSATION ABOUT PERCEIVED VALUE:
A customer asked a contractor friend of mine how much it would cost to do this project.
My friend gave him a proposal: $4500
The customer responded: Thatâs seems really high.
My friend asked: What do you think is a reasonable price for this job?
The customer answered: $2500 maximum
My friend responded: Ok, then I invite you to do it yourself.
The customer answered: I don't know how to.
My friend responded: Alright, then how about for $2500 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $2000, you'll learn valuable skills that will benefit you in the future.
The customer answered: Sounds good! Letâs do it!
My friend responded: Great! To get started, you are going to need some tools. You will need a chop saw, table saw, cordless drill, bit set, router, skill saw, jig saw, tool belt, hammer, etc..
The customer answered: But I don't have any of those tools and I can't justify buying all of these for one job.
My friend responded: Ok. Well then for an additional $300 I can rent my tools to you to use for this project.
The customer answered: Okay. Thatâs fair.
My friend responded: Great! We will start the project on Monday.
The customer answered: I work Monday through Friday. Iâm only available on the weekends.
My friend responded: If you want to learn from me then you will need to work when I work. This project will take 3 days so you will need to take 3 days off work.
The customer answered: That means Iâm going to have to sacrifice my pay for 3 days or use my vacation time!
My friend responded: Thatâs true. Remember, when you do a job yourself you need to account for unproductive factors.
The customer answered: What do you mean by that?
My friend responded: Doing a job completely from start to finish includes time spent to plan the project, pick up materials, travel time, gas, set up time, clean up, and waste disposal amongst other things. Thatâs all in addition to the actual project itself. And speaking of materials, thatâs where we will start on Monday so I need you to meet me at the lumberyard at 6:00am.
The customer answered: At 6am?!! My work day doesnât usually start until 8am!
My friend responded: Well then youâre in luck! My plan is to start on the deck build by 8am. But to do so we have to start at 6am to get materials picked up, loaded and delivered to your job site.
The customer answered: You know, Iâm realizing that a lot more goes in to a job than what a customer sees in the finished project. Your proposal of $4500 is very reasonable. I would like you to handle the project.
CONCLUSION:
When you pay for a job, especially a custom job, (whether itâs a physical project or digital project) you pay not only for the material and the work to be completed. You also pay for:
âď¸ Knowledge
âď¸ Experience
âď¸ Custom Skills
âď¸ Tools
âď¸ Time to plan
âď¸ Time to prepare
âď¸ Professionalism
âď¸ Work Ethic
âď¸ Excellence
âď¸ Discipline
âď¸ Commitment
âď¸ Integrity
âď¸ Taxes
âď¸ Licenses
âď¸ Sacrifices
âď¸ Liabilities
âď¸ Insurance
If you request a proposal for custom work to be done, please donât disrespect a service provider by trying to get them to lower their prices.
If their proposal exceeds your budget, thereâs nothing wrong with getting other proposals.
Just remember.. you get what you pay for.
đđź SERVICE PROVIDERS: Know your worth and be confident in it.
đđź CONSUMERS: Recognize their worth and be respectful of it.
Sharing this to support all my friends, family and clients who are Entrepreneurs, Business Owners and Tradesman.
