18/07/2021
A customer asked a contractor how much it would cost to do this project.
The contractor gave him a quote: £4500
The customer responded: That’s seems really high.
The contractor asked: What do you think is a reasonable price for this job?
The customer answered: £2500 maximum
The contractor responded: Ok, then I invite you to do it yourself.
The customer answered: I don't know how to.
The contractor said: OK, how about for £2500 I teach you how to. So besides saving you £2000, you'll learn valuable skills that will benefit you in the future.
The customer answered: OK! Let’s do it!
The contractor responded: Great! To get started, you are going to need tools. You will need a chop saw, table saw, cordless drill, bit set, router, skill saw, jig saw, tool belt, hammer, etc..
The customer answered: But I don't have any of those tools and I can't justify buying any for one job.
The contractor responded: Ok. Well then for an additional £300 I'll rent my tools to you.
The customer answered: Ok great!
The contractor responded: We will start the project on Monday.
The customer answered: I work Monday through Friday. I’m only available on the weekends.
The contractor responded: If you want to learn from me then you'll need to work when I work. This project will take 3 days so you'll need to take 3 days off work.
The customer answered: That means I’m going to have to sacrifice my pay for 3 days or use my vacation time!
The contractor responded: That’s true. Remember, when you do a job yourself you need to account for unproductive factors.
The customer answered: What do you mean by that?
The contractor responded: Doing a job completely includes time spent to planning, picking up materials, travel time, fuel, set up time, clean up, and waste disposal amongst other things. And speaking of materials, that’s where we will start on Monday so I need you to meet me at the yard at 6am.
The customer answered: At 6am? My work day doesn’t usually start until 8am!
The contractor responded: Well then you’re in luck! My plan is to start on the deck build by 8am. But to do so we have to start at 6am to get the materials, loaded and delivered to site.
The customer answered: You know, I’m realizing that a lot more goes in to a job than what a customer sees. Your quote of £4500 is very reasonable. I would like you to handle the project.
CONCLUSION:
When you pay for a job, (whether it’s a physical project or digital project) you pay not only for the material and the work to be completed. You also pay for:
✔️ Knowledge
✔️ Experience
✔️ Custom Skills
✔️ Tools
✔️ Time to plan
✔️ Time to prepare
✔️ Professionalism
✔️ Work Ethic
✔️ Excellence
✔️ Discipline
✔️ Commitment
✔️ Integrity
✔️ Taxes
✔️ Licenses
✔️ Sacrifices
✔️ Liabilities
