[macleod]

you go for a  tender and you manage to find out how much they are paying currently (say £100) the work includes ground and first floor work.

what would you do, what would you quote?

a - the same
b - 10% cheaper
c - 20% cheaper
d - price it up how you normally do, even if it is more expensive
e - or an alternative?

thoughts please...

p.s.
squeeky you can join in this discussion, although in real life you probably wouldnt be considered  joking!

[Majestic]

D
There is nothing worse than pricing a job to low

[macleod]

but the current supplier will win the work, and it would be a good contract (lots of inside work when it rains!)

[telboy]

Stop picking on Squeaky

Telboy

[Majestic]

I would just price the job as if I did not know how much the other quote was, unless you want the work and are prepaired to cut your quote a little just to get the job

[pjulk]

Myself i don't take any notice at what they are paying and never try to find out as i don't want to know.

I price each job up for how much i want to earn and never try to match other peoples prices as thats there prices and not mine.

Paul

[windows_chepstow]

I'd go for 10% cheaper than the budget, as long as it remained a profitable job.

Earlier this year I quoted for four big jobs and didn't win any of them, which has knocked my confidence a bit for largish jobs.

I'll have another push for large commercial next Spring, hopefully with some better luck.

[Jeff Brimble]

I would price a bit more than I wanted and not worry about anyone doing it for less.
Whats the alternative you offered in the choices.

[AuRavelling79]

Why the thread title??

[MNWC]

How do you know that is say £100 

Be carefull it could be a way of them making you think that is the max price you can quote

Price it up as you normally do if its cheaper than £100 so be it.

good luck

let us know how you get on ! 
Marcus

[Sir Squeaky]

Stop picking on Squeaky

Telboy

Cheers Tel.

[Easyclean Windows]

so what do you know that we dont?

[geefree]

well you havent got the job at the moment... so quote in the normal way without worrying about other prices... if you get it you are a winner...
 if you dont...
you have lost nothing, cos you didnt have it to lose.

[DaveWilkinson]

I would quote what i needed for the job to be worth while, if it comes out higher than the 100 dont cut the price.

You might know what there paying now but that aint the same as what there willing to pay, it could be less or there again the cleaners that have the job now might be cr4p and they may be willing to pay more for a decent job.

[zeusjazmin]

itendered for a large contract knowing what the previous window cleaner charged,i actually doubled quoted double what i knew he charged ,the reason being he was charging peanuts and had kept it the same for 15 years,i got the contract

[a-r window cleanin]

When I first started I was told by a experienced wc never quote cheap always quote high, if you get the job it's a bonus and if you dont you have not lost anything.
As a rule if I do know or are told what the last wc charged I always add a couple of quid extra

[Terry_Burrows]

price what your worth you know how good you are

[M4RK]

The success of your tender  is unlikely to be based purely on your price.

It's obviously a commercial job, so you could even go in more expensive but still get the job if you produce a good Risk assessment and Method Statement.

Acknowledge that you are aware that you are not the cheapest around, but neither are you the most expensive.

Sell your business to them in other ways. Show them why should they choose you.
Don't slag off the competition but just highlight what makes you their obvious choice.

eg. your training, a record of reliability, your h&s awareness, other high profile customers in the area.

I went for a big Hotel that was gathering quotes and got the job. The guy said to me afterwards that I wasn't the cheapest nor the most expensive, but he liked the look of me because I have an honest face.   :

See if you can meet in person with whoever wants the tender. Face to face contact will go a long way.

Unless the price they are paying is a very good price, to go in cheaper would be just cutting yourself short. At the very least go in the same and let the best man win.

Mark

[ray l]

! ) Work out what you would charge.

If its over the 100 so be it.

If your normal pricing is less than the 100, either quote 100 and sell yourself or give them a slight discount 5 - 10 %

ray

[Davie T]

To Mark H.   

A good post!