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The Going Rate
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03-14-2008, 09:31 PM
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#1 |
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Plumber / Carpenter
Trade: Virginia Building and plumbing contractor
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Farmville, Va
Posts: 1,647
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The Going Rate
Sorry Nathan if I sound like I am being nasty, but I am not. I am just tired of hearing "Whats the going rate?"
lets clarify. First off YOU are the only one who knows what your going rate is. the reason is because of but not limited to the following: What are your financial goals? How much do you pay your labor? (Legal ones) Do you offer employee benefits? Do you pay them sick days? If so how much do you allot for those sick days? Do you work out of your home or do you rent an office? How about utilities? How about heat? Do you have a secretary? Workers comp? how about liability insurance? Work vehicle insurance? Estimated fuel usage? What about vehicle maintenance? Don't forget the county business license. Oh yes, then the tradesman license. Oops, almost forgot the contractors license. Man, what was I thinking, what about bonding? Did I forget safety gear (Don't want to leave OSHA out now do we?) Oh no! Don't forget the accountants fees. man, I hope I remembered them all. These are just a FEW of the things you need to take into consideration BEFORE asking "Whats the going rate? further more I cant stand some pick up truck carpenter with spray painted signs on their truck and a hand drawn plans that look like my grandson drew them (He is 6) asking "Whats the going rate" (hereby now by me to be refereed to as WTGR?) get a life, if you are in business for yourself then you should be able to figure these things out. I can see the trade to trade asking this at times, but those pick up truck carpenters? Come on. Oh, by the way, WTGR? |
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03-14-2008, 10:09 PM
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#2 |
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Celtic's #1 Fan
Trade: electrical
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,581
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Re: The Going Rate
dude,
this dance has been danced dozens of times in the recent past...in every occasion, feet were stepped on and peoples pride got hurt...but unfortunately, the lesson is never learned and the question is still asked. I wish you luck in this fight, but be prepared...for every one of you are me, there are 20 "how much - going rate" them... 
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03-14-2008, 10:14 PM
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#3 |
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Plumber / Carpenter
Trade: Virginia Building and plumbing contractor
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Farmville, Va
Posts: 1,647
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Re: The Going Rate
maybe what we should do is to not respond at all to any post asking WTGR?
maybe if we just ignor them totally they will go away. |
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03-14-2008, 10:15 PM
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#4 | |
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Celtic's #1 Fan
Trade: electrical
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,581
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Re: The Going RateQuote:
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03-14-2008, 10:16 PM
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#5 | |
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Remodeling Professionals
Trade: Remodeling Contractor
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: South Jersey Shore
Posts: 1,251
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Re: The Going RateQuote:
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03-14-2008, 10:18 PM
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#6 | |
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Celtic's #1 Fan
Trade: electrical
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,581
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Re: The Going RateQuote:
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03-14-2008, 10:21 PM
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#7 |
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Plumber / Carpenter
Trade: Virginia Building and plumbing contractor
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Farmville, Va
Posts: 1,647
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Re: The Going Rate
I sometimes wonder if their shoe size is higher than their IQ?
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03-14-2008, 10:22 PM
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#8 | |
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Celtic's #1 Fan
Trade: electrical
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,581
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Re: The Going RateQuote:
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03-14-2008, 10:30 PM
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#9 |
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Drywall & Painting Pro
Trade: Hang, Finish, Texture, Paint, and Repair.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Melbourne Beach,Florida
Posts: 4,948
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Re: The Going Rate TGR
Last edited by Sir Mixalot; 03-14-2008 at 10:32 PM. |
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03-14-2008, 10:33 PM
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#10 |
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Sharp Improvements
Trade: Remodeling
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wilmington, N.C.
Posts: 554
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Re: The Going Rate
Yes this topic has been beaten to a pulp but.....some people have to start some where. Many jump on people and ask about overhead and so on. Yes everyone has different expenses but just because mine are lower does not mean I have to charge less. Why not not go for the big bucks if they can? It would be nice for them to stay competitive but not work for free or rip someone off either. They be quite good at what they do and just need a guide in pricing since new to the business. Yeah it sucks that to see the question all the time, but they are here looking for help and that is what this site is here for. Just remember where we all came from, no one is perfect.
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03-14-2008, 10:34 PM
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#11 |
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Drywall & Painting Pro
Trade: Hang, Finish, Texture, Paint, and Repair.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Melbourne Beach,Florida
Posts: 4,948
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Re: The Going Rate
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03-14-2008, 10:34 PM
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#12 | |
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Sharp Improvements
Trade: Remodeling
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wilmington, N.C.
Posts: 554
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Re: The Going RateQuote:
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03-14-2008, 10:38 PM
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#13 | |
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Sharp Improvements
Trade: Remodeling
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wilmington, N.C.
Posts: 554
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Re: The Going RateQuote:
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03-14-2008, 10:51 PM
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#14 |
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Celtic's #1 Fan
Trade: electrical
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,581
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Re: The Going Rate
norm, before i knee you in the gonads again....the problem is that I have yet to see a "going rate" that is actually higher than what anyone needs to charge...it's usually an artificially low number...so by not knowing your actual costs, odds are you will not even realize that your actual cost is higher than the going rate...
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03-14-2008, 11:18 PM
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#15 |
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Sharp Improvements
Trade: Remodeling
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wilmington, N.C.
Posts: 554
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Re: The Going Rate
Please don't hurt me. I still feel sick to my stomach
 and I am getting frostbite. Yeah I hear ya, I was just noting that is may be alright to point them in the right direction let them decide if the number works for them rather than getting mad and have the knee meet nuts. |
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03-14-2008, 11:38 PM
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#16 |
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Knowledge Factory
Trade: Certified Floorcovering Failure Investigator
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,358
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Re: The Going Rate
Going rates are for the employed!!
__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.** http://www.AustinFloorguy.com |
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03-15-2008, 12:04 AM
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#17 | |
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The Man
Trade: Carpentry
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Queenstown, Md
Posts: 162
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Re: The Going RateQuote:
very well put. i have always believed the only dumb question is the one not asked. P.S. We are all (hopefully) employed, Self employed
__________________
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. --Frank Outlaw |
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03-15-2008, 12:45 AM
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#18 | |
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Charitable animal
 
Trade: decks
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Chester Co. PA
Posts: 2,509
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Re: The Going RateQuote:
 king men
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03-15-2008, 03:55 PM
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#19 |
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Knowledge Factory
Trade: Certified Floorcovering Failure Investigator
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,358
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Re: The Going Rate
Bone Saw...
Is that what I think it is, in your avatar?? Barrelroll in the surf on a superjet?
__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.** http://www.AustinFloorguy.com |
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03-15-2008, 11:24 PM
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#20 |
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Pro
Trade: Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 159
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Re: The Going Rate
I thought the answer to WTGR was to take your hourly rate times 3. That way when they undercut it to get all the work they are still way higher and don't get any work. That way you can raise your rate and still be lower.
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