Price fixing is ' Sick Bird ' - Thats illegal for those that do not know. Be careful
I've read all the posts on this subject and Dan has hit the nail on the head. Be different - offer something else. Go up in market and look for those customers who will pay for a real quality job, guarrenteed and well done.
I offer a total service ie UFH, margin on materials, plastering, electrics, plumbing, decor and timber work. If you cannot do all of those jobs yourself, get in your opposite number and make a margin on his rates [CIS tax to pay which is a b... std nuisace, but worth doing].
As an example, I went to look at a restoration of Victorian Floor, our base strength business and next thing the customers asked about replacement ceiling in another room, then a new hearth and refurb of cast iron fireplace inc new tile panels at the side, then how about a new piece of carrara marble at the front door. Then front door hinges are worn out - so we replaced with new brass roller bearing hinges and so it goes on and on. All at a margin. Oh - forgot, we are having welding done on the fireplace - specialist work and shot blasted. We will iron paste it and remount it on the wall. Also we were asked to replace some wonky floor boards and a couple of rotten joists in pitch pine and sand and reseal the floor. Job is almost done. One happy customer who is confident that a quality job is well done and is sure to call on us again.
This is unusual I grant you, but its where we are at and where I aimed to be a few years ago when I did not want to compete with other tilers on mass / site work.
Food for thought or not ?
