Different way to quotes jobs??

derek37

derek37

New member
Please give me your thoughts on this idea of a way to charge customers. Let's say you charge $70 for an interior detail which consists of the following:

Vac seats,floor, headliner,visors trunk

clean and UV protect rubber seals, vinyl, leather, plastic

all interior glass

spot treat stains

clean and polish door jambs

lubricate door hinges

fragrance



Now the client knows what the least amount is going to be(in this example, $70). After looking over the vehicle you determine that it is going to take you longer due to it being somewhat dirtier than a normal $70 job, do any of you say to them"Well sir at the most it will be $xxx"($100?)?

I was just thinking that this way he knows what the least and the most he's going to be charged without locking yourself into a set price where it's possible that you might end up losing money due to it taking a lot longer than a $70 job.

Obviously you point out the reasons why the price might fluctuate and of course you would be honest about the time and effort it took to complete the job.

I really am curious if anyone else quotes in this manner.

It sounds like it might work towards everyone's benefit(especially mine) :D

I got burned today. Ford winstar-6.5 hours- $80. No tip:angry

This got me thinking on quoting jobs a little differently.

Thanks everyone
 
I did a car, was really hoping for a tip, and of course I didn't charge much, since I was just stupid when I said the price. 100 bucks for 8 hours of interior and exterior!
 
Buick_guy, you know what I'm saying! I don't really expect tips but I busted my a$$ on this van and it would've been nice. Have you every quoted in this manner?
 
LangMan37, I got burned early on but quickly learned how to quote jobs. I think since then I've only been burned a few times. I never expect to get a tip. Not many customers do it. I find they don't do it especially when they feel they are getting a good deal and are trying to get out cheap.



The only people I get tips regularly from are those who are people I know or friends of family.



I know how much I want to make an hour and when the client is telling me what they want I'm putting together an estimate of how long I think it'll take me to do the work. Then I give the quote based upon that. I make sure on interiors I inspect well for bad stains on carpet and seats. Make sure you look under floor mats. Check to see how dirty the area around the driver is. That's usually the dirtiest and will take you the longest.



Buick_guy said:
I did a car, was really hoping for a tip, and of course I didn't charge much, since I was just stupid when I said the price. 100 bucks for 8 hours of interior and exterior!
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Yeah, but that's more than minimum wage. I had 17 and 18 year old friends working construction making $7 an hour and having taxes pulled out of that too. That's pretty good money for one days work. I am also assuming you don't have a business license so that money doesn't have taxes coming out of it.
 
Ya, I don't any license, since I'm not really asking for anything in return for the service, I just "expect" a 100 dollar tip. That way I don't have to have a license, and it shouldn't count as income.
 
Buick_guy said:
Ya, I don't any license, since I'm not really asking for anything in return for the service, I just "expect" a 100 dollar tip. That way I don't have to have a license, and it shouldn't count as income.
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A "tip" is considered income and is suppose to be reported. Just like money from gambling :D
 
I give the customer a $$ range the normal price for their vehicle is but also let them know I can't lock in a price until I see the vehicle.
 
Scottwax said:
I give the customer a $$ range the normal price for their vehicle is but also let them know I can't lock in a price until I see the vehicle.
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Same here. I can't even begin to count how many times I was screwed in the past for giving flat rates.
 
ajbarnes said:
Same here. I can't even begin to count how many times I was screwed in the past for giving flat rates.
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So aj and scott, am I led to believe that once you see the vehicle you give them a solid price AND not give them a "range in price" example given $70-$100? I don't quote without seeing the car but sometimes it maybe hard to tell how long the job will take being that it might be really dirty.

Maybe with more experience I'll have a better idea on how long a dirty vehicle will take :nixweiss .

To me this quoting within a "range" seems pretty good but hell I don't know. Just wondereing if anyone has done this and how it worked for them.



Anyone,anyone, Bueller...
 
The rules are different everywhere but I believe where I'm at if all transactions are under 200 you don't need a liscense but still need to report the income. Seeing as you're 15 or something it would be ridiculous to worry about reporting income due to your tax status. (Yes, Im ignoring SDI, SS, etc.). 100 bucks for 8 hrs of work is great for a teen. When I was 15 I made 7 dollars an hour doing manual labor.
 
What about if I call it a present?
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Excluding legal consideration of accepting a 'present' after work has been performed...

An individual may accept a gift of up to 10K per year, per donor without federal tax penalty. If gift exceeds 10K per year, the DONOR is responsible for paying 'gift tax' unless otherwise agreed. The gift, however, must be properly documented on income tax paperwork...
 
Buick_guy said:
Ya, I don't any license, since I'm not really asking for anything in return for the service, I just "expect" a 100 dollar tip. That way I don't have to have a license, and it shouldn't count as income.
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I doubt Revenue Canada would see it that way!
 
Hahaha, well, I believe I don't really make more than like 4 grand a year, so its not like I'm gipping them out of that much. Also, does anyone from Canada know how much you have to make before you start claiming?
 
Buick_guy said:
Hahaha, well, I believe I don't really make more than like 4 grand a year, so its not like I'm gipping them out of that much. Also, does anyone from Canada know how much you have to make before you start claiming?
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You can make up to around $8000 and you will get all the money in taxes back that you paid. You must report ALL income under current law.
 
Screw tips. "I don't tip....I don't believe in it...." :lol



Just make sure you tell the people exactly what they will be charged from the get go and what exactly that will include. Usually we let them pick a detailing package and then tell them what it will cost if they want certain scratches and stuff out.
 
Yeah, I'm not a fan of tips. I worked a job for almost 2 years where tipping would have applied. I received 1 tip in all my time there.
 
I have some customers who always tip even though I clean their cars every week. First time customer today tipped me $10 but other times, they give you what you tell them the price is. Tips are of course, appreciated, but I never expect or rely on them.
 
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