08/15/2025
CUSTOMER: What will it cost to complete this job?
CONTRACTOR: £1,500.
CUSTOMER: That's WAY too high for this task!
CONTRACTOR: What do you think is a fair price?
CUSTOMER: No more than £500 - MAX! It’s a straightforward job!
CONTRACTOR: I can’t dedicate my time for that amount.
CUSTOMER: People in your profession are so greedy.
CONTRACTOR: I’m sorry you feel that way. Why not try doing it yourself?
CUSTOMER: But... I don’t know how to do any of this.
CONTRACTOR: For £600, I can teach you exactly how to complete the job. You’ll still save £500 by spending £500 on the materials, plus you’ll gain knowledge and experience for future projects.
CUSTOMER: Deal! Let's go for it.
CONTRACTOR: To start, you’ll need tools. You’ll have to purchase a welder, grinder, chop saw, drill press, welding hood, gloves, and a few other items.
CUSTOMER: But I don’t have this equipment, and I can’t buy it all for just one job.
CONTRACTOR: For an additional £200, you can rent my tools, and you'll still save £300.
CUSTOMER: That cuts into my savings. But I’ll rent your tools.
CONTRACTOR: Great! I’ll return on Saturday to begin.
CUSTOMER: Wait. I can’t do Saturday. I only have time today.
CONTRACTOR: I’m sorry, but I only offer lessons on Saturdays since I need to prioritise my time and my tools are booked with other clients throughout the week.
CUSTOMER: Alright! I’ll skip my family plans on Saturday.
CONTRACTOR: Same here. Oh, and I forgot to mention, you’ll need to pay for materials as well. With high demand right now, it’s best to head out early at 6 AM to beat the rush.
CUSTOMER: 6 AM? On a Saturday? That’s way too early for me. Also... I don’t have a van.
CONTRACTOR: You might need to rent one. Do you have a couple of strong friends to help with loading and unloading?
CUSTOMER: Ummm... I’ve been reconsidering. It’s probably better if YOU handle this job. I’d rather pay someone to do it right than deal with all the hassle.
CONTRACTOR: Smart choice. Just sign this and please step aside so I can get to work.
THE REALITY IS THIS...
When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted work, you're not just covering materials but also investing in:
- Expertise
- Experience
- Tools
- Service
- Time
- Reliability
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Precision
- Labour
- Sacrifices
- Safety and Security
- Tax obligations
It’s unfair to undervalue a professional's work by criticising pricing—especially when you’re unaware of all the factors and costs involved in delivering quality work.
You can't negotiate a service you aren't skilled enough to perform yourself. Just like you wouldn’t expect a gourmet dinner party to cost the same as a Happy Meal from McDonald's. And it’s unreasonable to be upset when skilled professionals recognise their own worth.
This holds true across all trades!
