I am 51years old and need to make some changes . I now work for myself doing Home Improvements. I know I am not charging the right prices for the work I do. I work long hours and never get ahead with money. I have always lowered my price becouse I feel guilty about Money I charge. I now get 250.00 per day for High quility work. I AM NOT A MR FIX IT HANDY MAN I AM A TOP CRAFTSMEN. Why do I keep doing this in every business I do?
2006-09-15 13:29:18 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Man, my dad used to do that. He hired a bookkeeper to make appointments and run the financial end and finally just let the bookkeeper stay formal with the customers. He's retired now, but I know a lot of people who do this and it works. You just have to let your customers know that you don't deal with the financial end of things. You just do the work because it's your area of expertise. And let your bookkeeper know that he/she has to be the bad guy if he/she wants to make money. You'll be surprised. Less aggravation, more money and you'll have an employee to boot who you are helping out.
2006-09-15 13:33:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
You know who you are "a top craftsman" so act like it. Think of a good price for your high quality work. Maybe do some research on this. What are people similar to you charging, and adjust based on if you do a better job or to maintain a competitive advantage.
When you do your spheel before hand to get new customers, explain to people the high quality of your work and show or give them examples of your work. If you don't have any pictures get some. Explain your new goals to old customers. Negotiate your price before hand and go from there.
Good luck and you deserve better for all your hard work. Don't be afraid to ask for it.
2006-09-15 20:39:20 · answer #2 · answered by jasminelilia 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is common actually. Almost all people engaged in giving a price go through this. Only diffrence is those who give in and give a low price and those who hold there breath and give a price worth the work. I had a boss once who really struggled with this, it seemed to stress him out alot but what he started to do was he would say it would cost alot more then the work was worth, then say "just kidding, now you can breath for the real price" and then give the real proper price.
2006-09-15 21:58:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lack of confidence is my view. My step father was a top craftsman as well and he did the same. When I was in High school he bid a job and I helped him during the summer in a remote part of Nevada doing finish work on some government housing. I ended up making more than he did because he bid it so low. You need someone with experience bidding to help you with that part of your business. There is a small business arm called S.C.O.R.E.. Find their number in the phone book and set up an interview. They can help you to meet the right people. Having seen my step father struggle all those years and never get ahead I am sympathetic.
2006-09-15 20:38:45 · answer #4 · answered by FrogDog 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I understand how difficult it can be running your own business. Especially one that provides a service, rather than a product. What you are basically doing is putting a price on your own self worth. To do that, you have to REALIZE your self worth. Don't be afraid to charge what you know your work is worth. It's not arrogant to know that you are good and expect payment for a job well done. People who want high quality are willing to pay for it. Always remember that.
2006-09-15 20:42:10 · answer #5 · answered by tateronmycouch 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Raise your price and business will reduce and so will hours worked, but money will stay the same. Join a professional association and get advise. If that don't work, look for same employment working for someone else. You get a wage and they get the headaches.
2006-09-15 20:49:03 · answer #6 · answered by chickenger 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start charging more, and if people ask you why say that you feel your work is better quality than you get credit for, or you could take a survey, and see what your customers think a fair price would be.
Good Luck!
2006-09-15 20:45:03 · answer #7 · answered by ►♦◄ bow 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you need to see yourself as Worth the proper wage. you have low self worth.
I am 50 and I understand that. I too had a very low opinion of my self, I am now in college and am going to change my life for the better.
good luck getting a counsellor will help you talk thing out so you can understand why you don't think your worth the price your due.
good luck
2006-09-15 20:34:16 · answer #8 · answered by Marg N 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i totally understand. i am a single mom and every penny i earn is precious for my family yet when my brother or anyone asks me for money or anything else i give it right over. I feel guilty if i say no. i don't know why i am this way either. I am sorry i can't offer any words of wisdom but i do wish you the best of luck.
2006-09-15 20:34:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are a people pleaser and feel sorry for people when they need someone to fix their problems but I would imagine they don`t care if you don`t meet your needs for paying your bills and etas. Quit being a nice guy and find yourself another job in the same catagory but at a higher wage scale. Good Luck to you!
2006-09-15 20:37:50 · answer #10 · answered by Carol H 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋