Just got told I dont charge enough.

[JeffKeryk]

(Then again, I am also the guy who just did a timing belt pkg, cam seals, radiator and double ATF d/f for my neighbor and only charged him my cost for the parts. I don't want to be known as the guy who's running a business out of his house and trying to profit off of his neighbors...)

The Tundra V8 is probably due for a TB service... When should I drop it off?

 

[02SE]

Charge what makes you feel good. You know your situation better than anyone else. You are there in the moment and understand the customer better than any of us on the internet. You don't have to answer to any of us.

(Then again, I am also the guy who just did a timing belt pkg, cam seals, radiator and double ATF d/f for my neighbor and only charged him my cost for the parts. I don't want to be known as the guy who's running a business out of his house and trying to profit off of his neighbors...)

One of the Mechanics I apprenticed with as a teenager, told me that if you do a job for someone at a greatly reduced rate, or even free, that is exactly what your time, knowledge, and ability is worth in their mind. I found that out for myself when I did some freebie work for "friends" and acquaintances. Then they started to take advantage of the situation.

It took me awhile to realize I was being a sucker...

It's not unethical to charge an appropriate amount for your time, knowledge, ability, and tools you took years to acquire.

 

[repairman54]

I had a side appliance repair business for years. 50 to 75% of the going rate is what I charged depending on the neighborhood and / or what was parked in the driveway.
Also if it was a one and done repair vs ordering parts and a second trip was a factor on a quote. Better to be a little less ''greedy'' and sell the job and get paid vs just a basic house call charge. 2 trips and chasing parts price was adjusted.
If the unit was not in good enough shape to last a while I would honestly condemn the unit as my work has to last a while. Customer respected that and many called me down the road.
Some folks on hard times I would get them running but I would always over stress to them I'm putting a Band-Aid on. They turned out to be some of my best repeat customers and recommenders over the years.

 

[Owen Lucas]

I had a side appliance repair business for years. 50 to 75% of the going rate is what I charged depending on the neighborhood and / or what was parked in the driveway.

Man, I hate this good-neighborhood-mark-up-pricing. I don't blame you, its business. Just living in a good hood and you know these guys come in and jack up your prices because they can. I'd let them know I'm shopping around and was in the trades before as well.

Needed to have a tree cut down next to power lines. I had quotes from $12k to $20k and finally found one guy for $4k. No illegals either, worked out great, those high bids were likely good neighborhood mark-ups.

 

[repairman54]

Man, I hate this good-neighborhood-mark-up-pricing. I don't blame you, its business. Just living in a good hood and you know these guys come in and jack up your prices because they can. I'd let them know I'm shopping around and was in the trades before as well.

Needed to have a tree cut down next to power lines. I had quotes from $12k to $20k and finally found one guy for $4k. No illegals either, worked out great, those high bids were likely good neighborhood mark-ups.

Most called me to save a buck over the big guys / factory servicers. Got 2 years worth of my income parked in the driveway then you have cushion in your budget for another 25% of my already discounted rates and your still saving bucks. As said if your giving great service one deserves charging a fair rate. My house call rate was 50% less than the big guys.
2x on tree guys, I've used local small guys over the big guys many times on recommendations from others saving money and recommending them to others. Most small guys are young and just starting out. Been there myself.

 

[Owen Lucas]

As said if your giving great service one deserves charging a fair rate. My house call rate was 50% less than the big guys.

There's your advantage. Can't beat that. Makes sense to markup a little more sometimes to match the higher rates, especially with better and faster service.

 

[K2K2]

"You got the friends & family price. If you didn't know Xxxx, it would have been more."

 

[Allaned]

A friend recommended me to another guy. He needed the ac charged in his big case tractor. Things all windows I bet it gets hot in there.

I told him to be at my place @530.after I get home from work

I pressure tested it with nitrogen then vacuumed it. Added some oil and recharged it.

Had to go by feel and pressures as there's no spec sticker on the machine.

After I was done of course he asked me how much he owed. I told him since he's a friend of a friend that $100 would cover the cost of the refrigerant, oil and power bill.

He then said that nobody in my area would charge it. He would have to spend a day driving to the Case dealer in riverside,Ca. Lose a days pay, pay for driving his truck 120 miles round trip etc.

He then added in the fact that I was available after hours.

I never thought about that stuff but it makes sense. He gave me considerably more $$ than my asking price.

He said I saved him money.


I kinda feel guilty for charging a lot and I need to overcome that.

It is hard to know what your own ability and expertise is worth. Good that he told you. My opinion: anyone in the USA who is good what they do is worth at least $100/hour. Special expertise and equipment requires more.

I get it, I'm a doctor and I learned after awhile that the insurance companies and government decided how much I and my special abilities were worth. I could set my own fees but what they actually paid me was up to some higher authority than I.