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fayellen

What to charge??
« on: March 27, 2009, 07:00:16 pm »
I've been cleaning for some people for 2 years and due to their busy lifestyles they have asked me to arrange for some people to do odd jobs around the house. I charge an hourly rate for me so what do I charge if I get say a plumber in who charges £15 hour and all I do is let him in and leave him to it. Absolutely no idea was maybe thinking a percentage, anyone any idea??  Thanks in advance...hopefully.

sherco

  • Posts: 1041
Re: What to charge??
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2009, 07:13:53 pm »
Add 15% on top of there bill.
Natural stone floor restoration service.
Natural stone fixing and repairs.
www.poshstonefloors.co.uk

Griffus

  • Posts: 1942
Re: What to charge??
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2009, 07:15:55 pm »
All I will say on this one is be very careful.

You could end up losing this job if a tradesman tuns out to be a Rogue Trader and there are plenty of them about...........


Re: What to charge??
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2009, 08:21:17 am »
This could be tricky indeed!

If you can get a plumber for £15.00 an hour I doubt he knows what he is doing!
They charge around minimum of £35 - 50ph.

What about the estimate for the work that needs to be done. Are you going to be there for that or are the clients.

Also you will need to get the estimates sent direct to yourselves, so the clients are not aware of the actual cost. Then you send them an invoice from yourselves with your % added on and time for arranging it.

Also what if they did not want to pay the amount? Maybe you should give them an estimate before any work is carried out.

If it plumbers, Gas, builders, electricians you will need to check them out and make sure they have the relevant tickets to Pass the work that s required.

Dave

fayellen

Re: What to charge??
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2009, 01:02:06 pm »
Thanks all, I have a list of plumbers, electricians and a great handy man I have used them all before in my house and all have done a good job so not too worried about that. I was thinking of adding 20% to bill otherwise what's the point, and of course I would let them know the cost before any work is done.

Griffus

  • Posts: 1942
Re: What to charge??
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2009, 01:33:22 pm »
If you do go down this road then make sure you have a solid agreement in place with your 'handyman'.

In fairness you have experience of his work and thus far have been satisfied so maybe things will be OK.

One example from my own experience: I once subbed a conservatory and full window clean out to a Window Cleaner that was known to me. It was a little out of area and we were really busy at the time so it seemed the best option. He had four vans and six employees and had been going for 15 years. He quoted me, I added £20 and the customer booked us in for the job.

Subbie completes the job
Custy tells him he's happy
Custy then calls me and tells me that he's not happy
I call the subbie, tell him, he says the custy said all OK when he was there
I called Custy who agreed but said he was too embarrssed to say anything at the time
Subbie refused to return

As it was the reputation of my company at stake I personally went back and recleaned all of the windows (Conservatory was OK). Now I know he was out of area and was already a lost cause but we will not accept payment unless customer 100% happy, it's just the way we operate.

Now, all that for £20; NEVER AGAIN.

The custy was at fault but the job wasn't up to scratch.

Moral, be very careful when using subbies. Unless they have a good friendship with you or you can be 100% confident of their standard of work then steer clear.

Apply this to your situation and think about your recovery plan should it all go pear shaped.

I think rather than get involved adding a % I would recommend the handyman to your custy and let him charge direct. If you are determined to earn from this (and it will be a few pounds at best) then take a commision from your handyman, i.e. he bills £150 and once paid pays you whatever % you agree. This way any problems go directly to him.


fayellen

Re: What to charge??
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2009, 01:49:55 pm »
Yeau was thinking is it worth it for the pennies earned, got the handy man in next week to do a few jobs so will see how it goes. The thing is my customers have had a guy doing the hiring for them for a few years now, he got a decorator in who to me did a rubbish job but customers didn't seem to notice.   He also gets rubbish cleaners in to cover and the last gardner seemed to sit for an hour before doing any work.
I am thinking is it worth the hassle. 

chloejayne

Re: What to charge??
« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2009, 03:35:53 pm »
Have a word with the handy man and say for every £100 of work i find you, you give me £10 In work on my house? that way anything goes wrong your not involved (like the nector card)  8) then sit back and enjoy  ;D