Markets

jamestrd

Ok fellow floor guys.

Thhings are tuff out there.. Thats no secret, but as of late I have found we are losinng work to what I like to call "Floor Whores".

The pricing today considering the markets should cause a certain raise in rates, and occasionally for busy work or beer money, low numbers to keep guys working and bring in some cash.

If all floor guys stand together and keep pricing at levels they shold be for your markets, then people will not have anychoice but to decide on qualification alone.. refercnes, quality etc.

Today i gave a follow up call for a refinish job.
Job was 1480 sf, all borderd flooring, 12 stair treads, and 2 6 foot steps to LR, full riser detail all to be refinished.

After giving a prodcution/size discount of our standard numbers, I went in at 1.70 sf for natural, 1 seal base and 2 topcoats oil poly.. small upcharge for riser details etc.
Job total was 2975...after first follow up things looked good.
second call was today after not hearing back for about 5days.

She told me job was done and she got a good price. job was done for 1700.00!

this works out to be about 1.00 a sf, now how the hell do you compete with this?

Bud Cline

It's the same in all the flooring trades - has been for a long time. There are no rules. You are competing against people that don't have any idea what it costs them to be on the streets every day and there is no way they are operating legally in all respects. Until someone decides to enforce the laws reputable operators won't stand a chance. Lower your prices and go underground with the others.

Floorwizard

With high self esteem.
It's easy if you know how and have great self esteem. It's impossible if you focus on lower end clients that only consider the numbers.
It can be tough because you need to explain to the clients how your work will be better, but without bashing the competition. It helps if you go after the right sets of clients and not the low baller accepters.

That sounds to me like someone who expects others to get business for them instead of someone who takes advantage of the situation.

they are tall but you are quick and nimble
they are big but you are thin and agile
They are rich but you know the value of a Dollar
They are cheap but you are quality and customer service oriented

I could go on forever.

Sounds like a Lemming.

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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

Bud Cline

You miss my point entirely.

Floorwizard

Well maybe others will as well.
How about elaborating?

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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

GoodHouse

There are alot of brazilian contractors that will sand all day for $1 sq and they will install for less than a $1 sq. They really hurt the business but theres nothing you can do. I dont get a lot of refinish work but I charge 2-2.50 a sq for natural, not because i am the best, but because this is a business.

Floorwizard

Nothing you can do about the way they run their business, but tons you can do to combat it.

Hopefully your customers do not hear that. They want to feel good about their purchase.
There is always someone better, but I would hope you agree that with a higher price comes higher esteem.
"I am worth my price, and I am sure they are worth theirs"

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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

jamestrd

With high self esteem.
It's easy if you know how and have great self esteem. It's impossible if you focus on lower end clients that only consider the numbers.
It can be tough because you need to explain to the clients how your work will be better, but without bashing the competition. It helps if you go after the right sets of clients and not the low baller accepters.


This was in no way low end work and quite frankly,I service anyone looking to have a job done. I do elimainte calls from certain towns but not too many..
I will never respond to calls from Paterosn/Passaic.Newark etc..

However, this was Towaco a part fo Montville NJ that is well to do..

I had a customer call me today saying hed like to book, and tried to use a coupon from anohter outfit.. He told me their prioce was higher, but they had 15% off from the other..

I told jim flat out i wasnt taking 15 % off, but would work with them..,Took 125 off and he said he would call me back,, still have yet to hear...
When he mentioned the coupon I asked him if he had any 1.50 off coupons for a box of Cheerios coupons that I should honor too.


Its rediculous out there now..

Floorwizard

It's not the work I was refering to. It was the customer.


That's because it is now being sold on price alone. All he has to do is find a lower price.

Do you know what a customer thinks when they discount?
"his prices are too high to begin with"

When you stick to your guns, do not be afraid to hear a few "no thank you's"
what will happen though if you advertise right and bid to the best customers, you will find that when you do not discount a few things happen.

*People trust you better
*less goes wrong...the cheaper the bid, the more possible will go wrong and the pickier the customer
* You will be working smart and not hard.

I am not saying you should never discount.
Just need to take extra care if you do.

Can't argue there-

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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

SmellofUrethane

Great responses FloorCraft...Well said. I have no control of other businesses, lowballers, poor workmanship, cheapskates, liars, hacks, illigal workers, etc...BUT have ALL control of my business, my price, my workmanship, my attitude, and my success. With that much control, I can ONLY win...even in a slow economy!!!

Bud Cline

There ya go!

SeanJohn

Well Said

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