Pricing

[Bubblegumsumo]

Hi
Please can anyone point me in the right direction for pricing jobs

Your standard kitchen splash backs to tiling a small bathroom

do I price per day or square mtr

thanks

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Hi,
try to keep this thread about pricing methods as we do not allow pricing conversations to take place in the public forums.
thanks
grr

 

[Martyn Leeds]

You don't give much away in your posts do you??

Bit of a short and vague question in my opinion.
Obviously pricing is a very important part of the job, but why should one be inclined to give away free tips?? hints and tips that can be the difference of winning or losing a job - stuff that comes with experience...

 

[prceramics]

kitchen splashbacks i never do per m2 just work out how long it will take and x that by your day rate plus matterials only really do per m2 on floors now over 8m2

 

[Mr Tiler]

The question may be vague but isnt this what the forum is for? Helping people in and outside of the trade? The purpose of this site in the first place is for hints and tips on every aspect of the trade... And as you said martyn its a big part of the trade and it should be touched up on so customers and tradesmen are treated fairly.

 

[Stef]

Ash you say this is what the forums about so the customer & tradesman can be treated fairly.

There is fairly then there's people starting out & trying to make the same money as someone with years & years of experience.

I don't mean this cheeky but if you are out doing a job do you honestly expect to make the same money as & leave as good a job as for talking sake Phil Hobson or TJ?

Two of the best Tilers in the trade who have forgotten more about tiling than most out there know.

Sorry Phil & TJ but you were the best examples I could find on the forum..

 

[Mr Tiler]

Ash you say this is what the forums about so the customer & tradesman can be treated fairly.

There is fairly then there's people starting out & trying to make the same money as someone with years & years of experience.

I don't mean this cheeky but if you are out doing a job do you honestly expect to make the same money as & leave as good a job as for talking sake Phil Hobson or TJ?

Two of the best Tilers in the trade who have forgotten more about tiling than most out there know.

Sorry Phil & TJ but you were the best examples I could find on the forum..

that's not what was being said though mate and I do understand that this guy hasn't even been on here more than a month. but at the same time pricing comes into all aspects of tiling. that is all I meant. in this guys case if he knows what he is doing but is just starting out by all means a fair pricing of a job is materials and a drink on top not the full cost of a seasoned pro by any means.

 

[Martyn Leeds]

Indeed,
2 posts with very little information given.

Could be a Roofer or a Gardener thinking how do I fill my days during the winter months?
Or a customer double checking the going rate - looking to drive a quote down as far as possible
Or a DIY'er who's done 1 job with 6x6 ceramics, & now looking to earn 35k as it says on the adverts in the paper

Or a genuine tiler wanting a few pointers to help him turn his quotes into work - a subject on which I have positively contributed to in the past..

 

[Stef]

that's not what was being said though mate and I do understand that this guy hasn't even been on here more than a month. but at the same time pricing comes into all aspects of tiling. that is all I meant. in this guys case if he knows what he is doing but is just starting out by all means a fair pricing of a job is materials and a drink on top not the full cost of a seasoned pro by any means.

This all comes with experience though Ash,
I know the argument about starting out & believe me I worked for pennies for over 2 years to get where I am now.
I will always help peeps out but when it comes to pricing then I think that's a step too far as there is a place for that.

 

[Mr Tiler]

ok mate :sofahide:

 

[RDTiling]

As someone who has also not long started out in tiling, I admit it is a hard one to gauge. I am never going to be as quick as someone who has been tiling for years, so I've for all the jobs I've kept my prices lower but been honest with the customer that the reason for doing so is due to the inconvenience of me being in their house for longer.

The third job I done was a 5m2 kitchen splash back, which was a referral from another tiler. He said it should only take about 1 day to 1 1/2 days to do, but took me 3 - mainly because the walls weren't the best and I was wanting to make sure the finish was perfect and I used tubbed adhesive rather than rapid setting adhesive.

All I will say is that every job I have done, I have probably made a loss in comparison with more experienced tillers, due to the length of time I've spent, but for me the experience of doing it and doing it right is more important to build a solid portfolio.

To answer the original question, I price for preparation at a per hour rate, larger floors and walls at a m2 rate and kitchen splashbacks at a day rate/half day rate, depending on how long I think it will take (which is sometimes much longer than I estimated - still, I'll get better with experience).

 

[Mr Tiler]

as I was old the other day thogh mate it doesn't matter how long a job takes as long as your earning something your making a profit because its not like you have customers to fill every week is it.

 

[RDTiling]

as I was old the other day thogh mate it doesn't matter how long a job takes as long as your earning something your making a profit because its not like you have customers to fill every week is it.

Your are right - as I've not long started, I'm only tiling Friday Saturday and Sundays, whilst carrying out my regular office job Mon-Thurs. I've gradually bought tools as I've went along, which eats into my profits, but I can't do the job without them.

I only take on smaller jobs at the moment that are manageable in a weekend, however I'm lucky to get the opportunity to work with a tiler when I don't have work on, so I'm constantly learning - if only they done apprentiships for the over 30's, I'd be signing up!

 

[Mr Tiler]

snap mate I got into it start of this year but havnt had the privilege of working with a proper tiler for a long period so my learning is done by researching this forum and tackling my own jobs for people I know.

 

[RDTiling]

Best way to start in my opinion as there is less pressure when it is someone you know, as they know you are new to it and they are probably getting a bargain!!!

My first job was a 7m2 kitchen floor, with 30 x 30 tiles I was there from 8am to 7pm Friday and Saturday and then 12pm till 9pm on the Sunday doing the smaller and awkward cuts and grouting. The job wasn't without its problems but I was pleased with it as was the customer which is the main thing!