how cheap am i meant to go?

[ricmrc]

hi all,
just looking to see if anyone else is having the same problems with pricing and getting jobs
i've spoken to several other tiles locally who are desperate for work, not part timers or diyers, but guys who have been in the business a lot longer than me. i.ve got enough to get me by but still really quiet at the minute, but the real problem is more the pricing of jobs.
i.ve quoted for half a dozen int the last couple of weeks and got none of them, one of which was for 2 showers. the walls were all brand new plasterboard, customer was supplying tiles, addy, grout etc, (mapei, so no probs) and it was 11m in total. was a shooty in job, would be done in no time so i quoted £165 (£15pm) to which he haggled looking for oap discount, and though i would normally never do so, i said £150 since it was straightforward job. after 3 days i phoned the guy and he said he was getting it chaeaper. phoned a couple of the other quotes id given and they all said the same thing.
i normally charge 20-25pm depending on the job as this was the going rate around here, and i made a decent profit at that, but surely there cant be experienced tilers out there working for 10 pm?
any thoughts?

 

[david campbell]

oh yes there is
and lots of them are working for about 10/12m2 at the moment

 

[davy_G]

Hold out as long as you can! You made a profit before at your normal rates. There are alot of guys out there now content to work for a wage...its better than not working at all.

But hold out as long as you can, keep the chin up!

 

[Dan]

I like to think corners are being cut if the job is that cheap, and that the job will come around again soon. Though if experienced tilers are going it for £10/£12 pm then perhaps they wont.

Let the others work loads for less and hold your prices and just keep quoting. If you think it isn't working out still when you have bills to pay, perhaps then drop the prices a little, but don't go all the way to £10. That's terrible. (That said, I'm not competing and don't have the problem, I might say something different if I was in those shoes).

I think the key is here to get a good tile shop on your side sending you work. When you come recommended they wont be looking for the cheapest and often wont even bother getting other prices.

 

[brian c]

I was telling a few peeps on here that my cousin was getting less than a tenner a m2 from a company in Glasgow.He has now been laid off again...dog eat dog atm

 

[doug boardley]

glad I'm not booking any work in till September

 

[brian c]

glad i'm not booking any work in till september

jammy git!

 

[hillhead]

i'v heard from a real good source that tilers 14 mile from me are tiling for £9 m2 :yikes:
too many men doing little too !.Northern Ireland rates are a lot lower than the mainland anyway,all my work at the minute is in the irish republic! luckily enough

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

sounds bad , i wounder how low it will end up!!?

 

[gm140]

I'm new to tiling and not up to speed yet although the quality is their, if I've got to go to £10-£12 pm I'd be aswell pushing trollies for Tesco.

Graeme
ETL Pro Tiling

 

[Daz]

I can't comment on pricing as such, but I am seeing guys quoting cheap here too. All I can say is that if you can re-assure the customer with your superior technical knowledge and ability, you should be able to maintain your pricing.

Case in hand, I was asked to quote for a large slate floor which I did at my usual rate. I gave the customer the chat and advised of a few issues that he needed to be aware of. Got a call to say I was too expensive and that they had received a quote for half my price - I wished them luck and walked away. I then received a call a week later to say that they were not sure that the other tilers would do as good a job as me and that they have re-considered and want to go with my price. Sometimes patience and a slightly stubborn streak can work in your favour.

Good luck and stay positive.

 

[Sean Page]

I think there is also a large element of people budgeting for future projects. Back in Sept I had 12 quotes that I'd put forward but hadn't received any feedback from. By Dec they we all desperate for me to book them slots "ASAP"... still got a couple to finish this month but I'm sticking to my guns on prices.

I agree with Captain Slow, give them good advice about any issues, assure them that you use top quality materials etc and wish them luck if they go for a cheaper option. I don't come down on price because if I can that just proves that I overquoted in the first place!

good luck