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ELECTRICAL ESTIMATING.

Zoomup

Good morning all.

I am inviting opinions about an issue. Any thoughts please?

I visited a man to look at some potential work and then to supply a written estimate. The old property has many bodges and poor alterations electrically. Anyway there are some modernish outbuildings that need to be altered so that they can be used as light workshops and an office. I attended and spent some time with the owner discussing options. He wanted all the work broken down on the estimate as a previous electrician had just supplied one lump sum total price. I did £80.00 worth of essential work the next day.

The total estimated work is sub-£1k.

I sent the detailed estimate and then got a phone call from the man asking if I could attend again as now his wife has some questions.  I am reminded of the bible scripture about not being able to work for two masters as you will love one and get to hate the other.

Do I continue with his wishes or walk?

What would you do?

 

Z.

 

 

  • 0

    My favourite is when you go and do a job for a customer (usually fault finding) and they say “do I owe you anything?” I am tempted with a sarcastic reply of “Oh no I work for nowt!”

  • 0

    ebee: 
     

    My favourite is when you go and do a job for a customer (usually fault finding) and they say “do I owe you anything?” I am tempted with a sarcastic reply of “Oh no I work for nowt!”

    Always be wary of customers who ask you to take your shoes off before stepping inside.

  • 0

    kfh: 
     

    As has been said “It all depends”. 

    If you need the business think about going back, if you are not desperate then talk over the phone. 

    How profitable is it going to be, are you going to loose other work while doing it?

    I expect to say what I am doing to do in a quote but do not break out materials and would not normally go out twice

    I think that if I run about too much after a potential customer they may assume that I am either a soft touch or desperate for work and then try to get a cheap job. I ain't doing it.

     

    Z.

  • 0

    The only reason for a breakdown is to look for “savings “.

  • 0

    Devoting time to a potential customer is always going to be a value judgment, but that is also an opportune time to set out your terms.

    Forgive me if I sound patronising, but Lisa’s partner should nail his colours to the mast at the outset so that the client is in no doubt about payment terms. Failure to pay should be pursued with vigour.

    Any fool can work for nothing. I say be proud of your trade or profession and charge accordingly.

    I am towards the end of my career. I am not saying that I don’t need money but I could afford to work for paltry rates, however, I have spent a working lifetime building my knowledge and experience, I expect to get well remunerated for it. 

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