Pricing a job

[Rich#1984]

just wondered is there a rule of thumb when pricing jobs I’ve been asked to do a couple of bits on a van (just patch work in the body) something I’ve done before but only for myself the guy asked me to give him a price for the work but I’m unsure what to charge or how to work it out any help would be ace

 

[stuvy]

Do it by the hour or the inch

If you know how long it will roughly take you then don’t forget to explain that a ten pence piece of rust will be about ten inches of steel to replace due to finding good metal.

Keep all the bits you cut out to show them and take pictures as you go to prove if they become awkward

 

[brightspark]

Do it by the hour or the inch

If you know how long it will roughly take you then don’t forget to explain that a ten pence piece of rust will be about ten inches of steel to replace due to finding good metal.

Keep all the bits you cut out to show them and take pictures as you go to prove if they become awkward

I went on the rule that every inch you see there's 6 inch to weld even though I have only done my own its a mugs game for anyone else

 

[Keith 66]

Dont cut through the petrol pipe. A mechanic i used to know did this, cutting to patch the floor pan on an escort van, it caught fire, the flames coming into the car through the hole he had just cut, as he was scrabbling trying to put it out the wiring shorted under the dash & it started, as it was in gear it kangarooed into his workbench. two fire exinguishers didnt, the third from next door worked. He had to buy the customer another van. A bad day at work!

 

[optima21]

I normally refuse to do work for others as they are just after something cheap. On the rare occasion that I do work for others, its because they're a good friend and I have an interest in their project, and in that case I do it for free. Once you start doing work for others, the next thing is that people will be asking you to weld up patches on exhausts to get their car through an MOT etc.

of course I do this as a hobby, if you're a professional, then work is money.

 

[cumbriasteve]

The difficult part of pricing is most of the work can't be seen until you begin cleaning back.

Only you know how much you value your time, some will weld and grind all day for £50 in their pocket, some will not work for less than £300 a day and some would not even consider it.

More often than not the reason you get asked to give a price is the person does not want to pay garage prices.

I get asked every now and again and have a standard answer...not interested.

 

[Luke]

Normally, if someone else is asking you to patch up a rusty car/van, they won't want to pay anything like a decent rate for your time, so it depends who you're doing it for and whether you are actually trying to make money or not.

 

[Shedendman]

I charge by a day rate,depending if i have to travel,if its say 3 days work i'll give them a price for 4 days for eg,just so your covered
What you want per day is up to you
Some garages i do work for theres an agreement on this,i use my rig ie gas,wire etc,but they supply steel/panels,discs,paint etc etc
SO heres a sum
labour+your consumables+travel(if necessary)= your price

 

[Shedendman]

Oh i forgot to add,if theres materials to be bought before you start,they pay for it first,no dosh up front,no work,simple

 

[chunkolini]

I always say I'm not licensed to work on vehicles. More polite than poking them in the eye.

 

[bigegg]

The difficult part of pricing is most of the work can't be seen until you begin cleaning back.

Only you know how much you value your time, some will weld and grind all day for £50 in their pocket, some will not work for less than £300 a day and some would not even consider it.

More often than not the reason you get asked to give a price is the person does not want to pay garage prices.

I get asked every now and again and have a standard answer...not interested.

"I don't do cars - sorry". plus "I don't have the right sort of welder" has been my standard response for over 20 years, now.

same as fixing roofs, and gutters: "I'm not insured for ladder work".

 

[addjunkie]

I always say I'm not licensed to work on vehicles. More polite than poking them in the eye.

This is a good get out, as the insurance liability implications if you kill a car or worse may be quite painful.

The difficult part of pricing is most of the work can't be seen until you begin cleaning back.

Only you know how much you value your time, some will weld and grind all day for £50 in their pocket, some will not work for less than £300 a day and some would not even consider it.

More often than not the reason you get asked to give a price is the person does not want to pay garage prices.

I get asked every now and again and have a standard answer...not interested.

If they push you for a price hoping for a cheap job, just make it so expensive, the will go elsewhere. I had a guy up the road hassel me to fix a bike for him, kept saying how much will you charge etc.

In the end I said bring it to me, 500 deposit and 500 when you collect it. He's never asked again after saying my price was rediculous, bikes now waiting to be a barnfind for someone as its still not fixed.

My advice. Unless you are desperate for the money and like welding cars, dont do it!

 

[Shedendman]

Wow,so many negative responses,come on guys it isn't all doom and gloom
Ok,it may not be all your cup of tea but to some,ie me,its better than no wage at all
Yer we've all under priced jobs before,dont deny that,but thats how you learn,once you get the experience and the know how,things can work out.
Not a case of being desperate for money,i'd rather earn a few quid(whatever it is within reason) that sit on my backside wishing to be rich
@Rich#1984 just address his van as if it was yours,work out how much and give it a go,if its easy than your quids in,if not then at least you know in the future

 

[Kayos]

As someone who is self employed I’m inclined to be negative as well

It’s either £1000-£1500 or not worth doing, doubt he wants to pay that so leave it well alone

I found more rust on my Disco the other day, I will chop it out and fix it next year but would never ask anyone else to touch it

 

[steveo3002]

agree...dont be the guy that does cheap mot weld ups

theyre the sort that are never happy and will be back blaming you for all future rust holes

 

[Olderisbetter]

A guy i know has been a welder for over 50 years and never touched a car as he likes to repair to a high standard and when he has finished he paints everything with red oxide, The problem with cars and vans is when you see a small patch of rust it normally is just a can of worms once you open it up.

 

[gaz1]

I have done often for friends however I was learning so practice helps out they knew it

Another got asked to weld a car I just said I was a learner they didnt come back

AT garage they know I can shape metal well so I get the crap job cut out and shape metal for welding

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

This is a good get out, as the insurance liability implications if you kill a car or worse may be quite painful.



If they push you for a price hoping for a cheap job, just make it so expensive, the will go elsewhere. I had a guy up the road hassel me to fix a bike for him, kept saying how much will you charge etc.

In the end I said bring it to me, 500 deposit and 500 when you collect it. He's never asked again after saying my price was rediculous, bikes now waiting to be a barnfind for someone as its still not fixed.

My advice. Unless you are desperate for the money and like welding cars, dont do it!

I price expensive when I don't want a job. Normally backfires on me though.

The jobs I'm keen on I don't get. Go figure

 

[Kayos]

I price expensive when I don't want a job. Normally backfires on me though.

The jobs I'm keen on I don't get. Go figure

I was speaking to someone who over priced a bathroom by £2k, he was still the cheapest as it seems no one wanted it

 

[Ashley Burton]

I charge family & friends

Brother needed a sill repairing on a MK2 Ford Focus, Local garage quoted him £60 if I remember correctly. I told him to crack on!

Not worth me getting the welder out the garage for that price