Ashes Associates, Goole (2026)

25/10/2021

Some of the most common construction jobs create high dust levels. These jobs often involve the use of power tools like cut-off saws, grinders, breakers and sanders.

16/10/2021

20/01/2021

Spot the hazards??

24/11/2020

Borrowed from another page but the sentiment is the same

A customer asked me how much it cost to do this job....

I answered him: £1500

He said: So expensive for this job?

I asked: How much do you think it would cost you?

He answers me: £800 maximum... That's a pretty simple job right? !"

- For £800 I invite you to do it yourself.

- But.... I don't know how to.

- For £800 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you £700, you'll get the knowledge for the next time you want

- It seemed right to him and he agreed.

- But to get started: you need tools: A floor sander, edging sander, chop saw, jig saw, multitool Respirator, dust extraction equipment etc...

- But I don't have all these equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job.

- Well then for another £300 more I'll rent my stuff to you so you can do it.

- Okay, he says.

- Okay! Tuesday I'm waiting for you to start doing this work

- But I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.

- I'm sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.

- Okay! That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday, give up my tasks.

- I forgot. To do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the nonproductive factors.

- That is? What is this?"

- Bureaucratic, tax, vat, security, insurance, fuel etc.

- Oh no!... But to accomplish these tasks, I'm going to spend more money and waste a lot of time!

- Do you have them? You can do it to me before?"

- Okay!

- I'll make you all the material you need. Truck loading is done Monday evening or Tuesday morning you'll have to come by 6 loading the truck. Don't forget to be on time to avoid traffic jams and be on time

- At 6??? Nope! Too early for me! I used to getting up later.
..

- You know, I've been thinking. Y ' all better get the job done. I'd rather pay you the £1500. If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more.

When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:

- Knowledge

- Experience

- Study

- Tools

- Services

- Time to go

- punctuality

- Accountability

- Professionalism

- Accuracy

- Guaranteed

- Patents

- Sacrifices

- Safety and security

- Payment of tax obligations

No one can denigrate other people's work by judging prices.

Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.

I did not write this dialogue, but am sharing it to support craftsmen and entrepreneurs.