So I gave a potential residential customer an estimate of $440 for I/O window cleaning & screens.
She responds, “Yes, I’d like to schedule. Could we do $400? Thank you for the consideration.
Now….if everything clicks along well, I may charge her $400. But more than anything I don’t like she’s haggling and trying to get me to commit to a firm price when I gave her an “estimate”.
Not sure how to respond to her diplomatically.
Appreciate any advice.
If you’ve seen the house, you should be able to give a firm price. If you haven’t seen it you could tell the customer that you might be able to do it for 400 but wont know until you see the house.
She sent photos of all sides of the exterior of the house. So I’ve seen it. Though sometimes there’s a surprise or two you don’t see from the photos when you actually arrive.
You said it, brother. Precise, fixed-bid quotes require a walk-around AND a walk-through. Prior to that, all you can give is an estimate. Don’t haggle or agree on a discount when it’s an estimate. Don’t get painted into a corner.
You have good instincts.
“First cleans are always full price.”
Until you actually put eyes on the job much can be hidden from photos. Stains, paint, silicone, filthy tracks, dirty or weather beaten screens, landscaping, ladder sets, other obstacles, etc..
If you can cut a break on the price you won’t know until you are up close and seeing the job.
What I usually do is one of two things.
One :
Unfortunately this time of year we can’t discount o can’t even get to all the work that’s available I tell them. if you’re willing to wait till the fall season we can do a discounted rate. They never want to wait, and will book at asking price.
Two:
I let them know my prices are fair and competive woth companies like mine. This is the best I can do at this present time.
There is a 3 ../ I just do it if it’s a measly $40, but not for a 440 dollar job “no way”. Is that $40 really going to break them. No they just want to feel good about themselves that they weaseled you down.
1240.00 and they say how about 1200.00. That works.
The fact of the matter is this time of year 440 dollar jobs can be replaced by someone else so it’s ether them at that rate or someone else.
Yup, been using this for quite some time now. It’s not even lying it’s the truth. I can work 10 days a week this time a year. So why would I discount anyone.
JMO, but a 100 discount on a 500 dollar job is a lot anyway. Either way not even 50 right now is happening. Unless it’s a real sweet job over a thousand and easy peasy.
I just had a guy whom asked me for a senior citizen discount. I totally forgot to get back to him, because it was via email.
This was a month ago, and he just sent another email which I seen that he wants to book, and he was ok with waiting till the end of June.
So moral of the sorry yes it works. It shows you’re willing to work with them, to make price easier on their walllet, but it’s on your time. Not when you’re super busy.
I did just discount a 1600 dollar job 100 , but they’re going twice a year. 
.
