Relocating To Colorado Springs - Don't Know How Much To Charge

patrickdeboard

Hi, guys. I'm relocating to Colorado Springs from Dallas. I'm a home repair/remodeling/wheelchair ramps/wheelchair modifications contractor. My labor rate here in Dallas has been in the neighborhood of $65-75 per hour. Most of my clients think I have been too high, and I have been landing probably around 1/3 of my estimates. After 9/11 I came down on my price a little, because the market slowed down here. I went down to $60, then $50, and am now at $40, which is just too low. I'm getting 100% of my estimates! Some of my competition here charges a labor rate of $55 for the sole proprietor, to $79 for the franchises. I'm wondering what the case is in Colorado Springs, and if there's a way I can find out without actually BEING there. I make my initial move there, to set up, a week from tomorrow. I really would like to charge $55 an hour, no markup on materials, no trip charge, because it will give me what I want for income, and I hope it is attractive to CS HO's. But, is it a competitive price? Anybody know? Thanks!

Mike Finley

Competitive to who? You said it yourself @$65-$75 you land 1/3, @ $40 you land 3/3. That tells me there are buyers for your work at any price, you just have to find them. @ your higher rate all you have to do is increase your leads by 3 times and you are closing the same number of jobs @ your top rate as your lower rate but making 87% more.