Vent: A client from Miami offered me a flat $500 for a job that took three full days to finish.

Last week, I agreed to the price before I knew the full scope of the project. I spent Monday through Wednesday on it, which worked out to less than $170 a day before taxes. Three years ago, I would have just taken the money and been quiet about it. Now I see I need to get better at spotting jobs that will eat up my time for too little pay. How do you guys figure out a fair price when a client's needs aren't clear at the start?

3 comments

3 Comments

ray61320d ago

Sometimes you just gotta take the hit and learn for next time. @hunt.hayden's method sounds good but asking a million questions can scare off a decent client who just doesn't know how to explain their own house.

hunt.hayden20d ago

Oof, that's brutal. Honestly, you gotta start asking way more questions before you give a number. I always make them walk me through every single step they want done, out loud. Like, "Okay, so you want me to do X. Then after that, will you need Y fixed too, or is that a separate thing?" People forget half the job until you're already there. If they can't explain it clearly, that's a red flag for a money pit.

susan_allen20d ago

Yeah, the "money pit" red flag is so real. I learned that the hard way last year with a kitchen job that kept growing. Client said "just the backsplash," then it was "well, while you're here" for the counter edge and a loose outlet. Now I make them list it all on paper before I even grab my tools. If they get vague or add things, my price goes up. Saves a ton of headache.