11/29/2020
Food for thought when hiring a small business:
A customer asked me how much I would charge to paint his two story foyer.
My reply: $1500
His reply: WOW, just to paint a couple walls? Why so much?
My reply: Well, this estimate also includes for the non productive factors.
He questioned: What are nonproductive factors?
My reply: Just the usually things like taxes, insurance, rent, fuel etc, etc.
I asked: How much do you think it should cost?
He responded matter-of-factly: Around $800 at the most... It's just painting and a fairly simple job right?
I calmly said: Okay sir, for $800 I invite you to do it yourself.
He said: But.... I don't know how to.
I replied: Okay, for $800 I'll teach you. So besides saving you $700, you'll get the knowledge for the next time. 🤔🤔🤔
It seemed right to him and he agreed.
I continued: To get started you will need tools, drops, ladders, scaffolds, brushes, poles etc...
He said: But I don't have all this type of equipment and I can't afford to buy all of these things just to paint my foyer.
I offered: Okay then, for an additional $200 I'll rent my equipment to you.
Okay, he says. 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
I replied: So on Tuesday I will be available to start teaching you.
He said: But I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.
I said: I'm sorry sir, but Tuesday is the only day this week that I will be available to teach and rent you my equipment. The rest of the week is already scheduled for other customers.
He exclaimed frustated: Damn! That means I gotta rearrange my schedule and sacrifice my whole Tuesday?!
I said: That is correct sir! I will also provide you with a list of all the materials you will need to go to the store and purchase for this job. Also, loading of the van for your job will take place Tuesday morning around 6am. After the project is complete, all equipment and tools need to be cleaned and reloaded back onto the van.
He asked in disbelief: At 6am??? Nope! Way too early for me! So much work just to do a little bit of painting! You know what, I've been doing some serious thinking and I've decided that it would be best if you just went ahead and did the job for me. $1500 seems fair now and I'd rather it be done right by true professionals.👌🏾👌🏾
The moral of the story for any buyer:
When you hire a professional to do a job, you're not only paying for the labor and material being used. It also includes:
Knowledge
Experience
Tools
Services
Punctuality
Accountability
Professionalism
Accuracy
Guarantee
Sacrifices
Safety and security
Insurance
No one can denigrate other people's work by judging prices.
Only by knowing all the elements necessary to complete a certain project can you estimate the true cost.
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