Dave L
I can count Dave and I have never suggested anyone capable of aquiring highly paid work should do it for less. My suggestion always was and still is, that encouraging people, with no experience , or training, to start in the business with top end prices, is wrong.
Too cheap is also wrong and my opinion has always been, that you gain experience while charging low prices and taking on all comers, so to speak.
As you learn and get better at the job, you charge more, progressing, after a couple of years to moderate pricing, eg, prices that would gross around the £25 - £35 mark and by the end of three years you should be competent enough to justify charges that would give around £50 - £90 per hour.
That is the level I've worked at over the past couple of years, having started 24 years ago with my target at £20 per hour.
I have never suggested that you were a cowboy, but that others trying to emulate you ,or others - who work in "specialised" markets and get considerably higher fees - could be regarded as potential cowboys, as they would simply be charging a lot for an average job.
You have done a considerable amount of research, training and have gained much experience, plus you appear to have a " craftsman " attitude and I'm sure endeavour to supply the best possible service on every job you do and you also have the self belief to charge accordingly, with which I have no argument and never have.
It's probably 10 or 12 years since Robert Saunders " went on the road " with his " I can show you how any c/c can earn £1000 a week " presentation.
At that time I was grossing more than £1k per week, but was working harder than necessary, as many do. I knew that by increasing my prices I would reduce my workload but still earn as much, or slightly more. So why had I not done so? Because the phone just kept ringing and I just kept working.
Having earned £50k ten years ago, from lowish prices I reckon it would be well within the reach of many operators to achieve £100 k today, but, they would have to market themselves pretty aggressively to do so and learn more about time management, what constitutes acceptable shortcuts, best use of chemicals, etc, rather than just raising prices and hoping.
Again, I am saying work cheap, but you need to be out there in peoples homes, to get paid.
They won't come knocking on your door.
Bye.
Just read Steve's post as I hit the button
I agree to a fair extent with Steve's comments and while it's great to have the flexibility to work the hours you want, most self employed people actually work much more than 8 hours a day. Not as slaves to their work, but with an objective, maybe 5 years ahead or 10 years ahead.
Most of them will expect to sell their business and their objective will be to get the highest possible price for it. Most c/c businesses will not be sold, so you need to earn enough to build a " nest egg " for your life beyond c/c.
That being so, working part time could let you down in a few years time.