5 Strikes And You're Out (lawyers, home, contractors)

[Shabotnik]

Originally Posted by upgrader

Informative thread.... I'm an aging DIY'er so I now look to have competent people do the work I can't.

I'd like people to quote me prices based on time, materials, and then the possibility of the unexpected. We should split that unexpected cost (hey, they are the experts).

I don't think "flori-duh" should be any different than anyplace else

upgrader:

You're onto something. Business is all about risk. A fixed price contract places all the risk of the unexpected on the contractor. I'll take that risk, but it's gonna cost you. With time and material, we share the risk so I can afford to charge less money.

[d4g4m]

There is no risk to installing a handle on a slider door. If the handle isn't solid gold, you shouldn't be asking for a solid gold price and installing plastic. We don't mind paying a fair price but it doesn't mean we should be making a payment on your Lexus.

[Shabotnik]

Originally Posted by d4g4m

There is no risk to installing a handle on a slider door. If the handle isn't solid gold, you shouldn't be asking for a solid gold price and installing plastic. We don't mind paying a fair price but it doesn't mean we should be making a payment on your Lexus.

d4g4m:

You are showing your ignorance of how business operates these days. There is risk in installing anything. Yes, homeowners are empowered by reviews on the internet. The downside to this is that a person who hires a contractor for a $300.00 handle installation is given as equal a soapbox as a person who has signed for a $300,000.00 addition. Picture yourself as a contractor and do a quick risk/reward analysis and get back to us.

Here's a better explanation: Why a Faucet Hole Costs $150.00

[kiggy]

Originally Posted by Shabotnik

kiggy:

I love this attitude; it makes me money. There are folks who are pure price shoppers. I want nothing to do with them. There are folks who want a human to answer the phone, be professional when they're on the phone, and show up on time and do what they say. I have something for these folks; Bubba does not.

Price is a huge factor, as demonstrated in your opening post. It always will be, especially if the economy starts to tank again. You're dealing with older people on a fixed income; that won't change. If you're a subcontractor on a new construction site, that's different. But not if you're going around fixing people's sliding door handles.


Of course, everyone wants the best service, but at the best price as well. There's tons of competition for what you do.

[Chester Burnett]

I try to hire tradesmen who don't have an overwhelming disdain for their customers.

[dpbarr2000]

You don't let the market dictate your prices? How did that work in Soviet Russia?

[Shabotnik]

Originally Posted by kiggy

Price is a huge factor, as demonstrated in your opening post. It always will be, especially if the economy starts to tank again. You're dealing with older people on a fixed income; that won't change. If you're a subcontractor on a new construction site, that's different. But not if you're going around fixing people's sliding door handles.


Of course, everyone wants the best service, but at the best price as well. There's tons of competition for what you do.

kiggy:

Let's say a customer argues that my rates are too high and base that on my driving up in a brand new truck. That would be the logical fallacy of relevance, ad hominem circumstantial. The age of my truck is not relevant to their argument that my rates are too high. If my circumstances (truck age) are irrelevant to the argument that my rates are too high, then so is their circumstance (fixed income).

I don't go around fixing sliding door handles. I usually get calls for leaking or failing sliding doors which is a much more extensive repair with much less competition. When you fish for those, you catch a few handle jobs.

[d4g4m]

OP states I'm showing my ignorance by me making the statement 'there is no risk to installing a sliding door handle'. I will make that stupid and ignorant statement again. 'there is no risk to install a sliding door handle'. A handle from Home Depot for $19 attached by four screws in 15 minutes.

[Shabotnik]

Originally Posted by d4g4m

OP states I'm showing my ignorance by me making the statement 'there is no risk to installing a sliding door handle'. I will make that stupid and ignorant statement again. 'there is no risk to install a sliding door handle'. A handle from Home Depot for $19 attached by four screws in 15 minutes.

d4g4m:

Your ignorance is showing again. It is amazing how many "simple" and "easy" jobs can create major problems. You can get a spousal disagreement as to the height of the handle after the holes are already drilled. The screws provided with the handle could be the wrong length for the door thickness. And on and on.

You want me to not show up? Start telling me how easy your job is or how it should be done. You get "what". I get "how". I've been doing this for 30 years, but you probably know more than me.

[kiggy]

Originally Posted by Shabotnik

kiggy:

Let's say a customer argues that my rates are too high and base that on my driving up in a brand new truck. That would be the logical fallacy of relevance, ad hominem circumstantial. The age of my truck is not relevant to their argument that my rates are too high. If my circumstances (truck age) are irrelevant to the argument that my rates are too high, then so is their circumstance (fixed income).

I don't go around fixing sliding door handles. I usually get calls for leaking or failing sliding doors which is a much more extensive repair with much less competition. When you fish for those, you catch a few handle jobs.

I bet the quality of their house and that Lexus in their driveway helps YOU determine your price, though.