Trade question on rates

[Chri5]

I'm finding more and more clients that change the goal posts.

I quote, they agree and then move the goalposts

I have now added a line to the base of quotes saying "All works is quoted based on normal working hours Mon- Fri 08:00-->17:00"

When a client phones up, offers a green light for go and then drops the bombshell "Could you work evenings or over the weekend" I always say yes, but the labour rate will have to reflect the outside work hours pattern.

They then get quite antsy, last week I lost some work because I 'dared' to suggest a rate increase for a job wanted on a Sunday.

So the question is, am I being a greedy so and so for wanting more money for working non working times?

I add 10% for 17:00 ->20:00 Mon-Fri
I add 20% for working later Mon-Fri and the same for Saturday / Sunday

How do you guys work it, other than telling the client that you only work a normal week, normal core hours?

 

[securespark]

Here is a photo of an old estimate of mine...
excuse its hugeness...wanted it to come out well...

 

[Chri5]

What E.O. & E.

I'm sure I should know, and thanks for your answer. Is it rude to ask what premium (as a %%%) you add for outside core business hours work.

Some of my friends won't get out of bed for under 30% for a Saturday and 50% for a Sunday

 

[JohnD]

I don't get out of bed for less than a thousand pounds.

Mind you, I do spend a lot of time in bed.

 

[dw3101]

Errors and Omissions Excepted

 

[dingbat]

I'm finding more and more clients that change the goal posts.

I'm afraid it's the nature of the beast. You have to think of it from a client's point of view (unpalatable though that may sometimes be). I have often worked stupid hours and done the 'while you're here' jobs for nowt in the past.

Factor into your prices the fact that a two-hour job may easily take four, that your weekends are not necessarily your own and that a happy client of a rubbish job may well refer you to lots of more lucrative opportunities.

Then, when you have a solid client base, don't need to advertise and can virtually name your price, you can knock back the jobs you don't want.

 

[securespark]

Errors and Omissions Excepted

Thanks, dw!!

 

[RF Lighting]

Saturday time and a half.

Sunday double time.

If they don't like it, never mind.

 

[ayen]

Saturday time and a half.

Sunday double time.

If they don't like it, never mind.

Agree rf 24/7 culture isnt for me love my weekends to much