Hi all,
Wanted to share with you an estimate I did on Saturday to see how far off I am. Keep in mind, I'm a newby who doesn't want to "underprice" the market. Keeping some price stability (heck inflation) in our industry makes since. That being said...
Deck flatwork (3 areas), 4 layers of old paint/stain, wants it taken down to wood to restain, 392 sq ft total, $400K home, retired professionals, $529.87 ($1.35/sq ft). Although he said he plans to re-stain himself, he accepted an estimate for staining. My estimate for staining was $1088.13 minus a $100 credit towards the stain he wishes to use (I earn $988.13).
He just left a message declining all my work. Said he's going to "attempt" to do this himself.
I know I will never get all the jobs. In fact, probably about 20% of whatever I estimate would be pretty good. However, I've been out of work for a while and could really use the money and wish to work in this little community for a long time, starting now.
A couple questions:
1) Should I call to negotiate price (keep in mind, I am nearly freakin' broke). How can I do this without compromising my integrity?
2) Or should I hold to my guns?
3) If I hold out, should I call to acknowledge his phone call (keep in mind this is a small, gossipy community, soon enough, I will earn a reputation one way or another. My goal is to earn a rep as one who charges a fair price for high quality work (like most of you).
Please advise.
Thanks again for your guidance,
Scott
Wanted to share with you an estimate I did on Saturday to see how far off I am. Keep in mind, I'm a newby who doesn't want to "underprice" the market. Keeping some price stability (heck inflation) in our industry makes since. That being said...
Deck flatwork (3 areas), 4 layers of old paint/stain, wants it taken down to wood to restain, 392 sq ft total, $400K home, retired professionals, $529.87 ($1.35/sq ft). Although he said he plans to re-stain himself, he accepted an estimate for staining. My estimate for staining was $1088.13 minus a $100 credit towards the stain he wishes to use (I earn $988.13).
He just left a message declining all my work. Said he's going to "attempt" to do this himself.
I know I will never get all the jobs. In fact, probably about 20% of whatever I estimate would be pretty good. However, I've been out of work for a while and could really use the money and wish to work in this little community for a long time, starting now.
A couple questions:
1) Should I call to negotiate price (keep in mind, I am nearly freakin' broke). How can I do this without compromising my integrity?
2) Or should I hold to my guns?
3) If I hold out, should I call to acknowledge his phone call (keep in mind this is a small, gossipy community, soon enough, I will earn a reputation one way or another. My goal is to earn a rep as one who charges a fair price for high quality work (like most of you).
Please advise.
Thanks again for your guidance,
Scott
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