@Johnny L.
Hey Johnny!
For what this is worth, from the contractors view, assuming I got a call from a person in your position:
Most experienced contractors probably already have a set of prices that they’re accustomed to charging for each task. Bidding and writing up jobs is exhausting and boring, and we like working with our hands, not fine tuning estimates (which we have to do, but hopefully as little as possible). But it’s a balance between trying to optimize profit, feeling fairly compensated, and making the home owners feel comfortable with what they’re spending.
At the end of the day I have my family to pay for, my own aspirations, and theirs, and our well being comes first. So a new person in my list of customers isn’t going to be sounding any alarms for me that I need to be treating them any different than the ones I’ve had for years now.
As contractors we spend a lot of time with you. We see you in the morning usually, again in the evening, and during all those inbetweens where a lot of general small talk will happen. Many people open up with time and this is great. But this also means that somebody sharing aspirations with us to bring us lots of work.... we’ve heard this before. Picture how often the “can I buy you a beer?” Line is used to pick someone up at the bar each night, and the lady has heard it a million times. That’s how contractors view the “I can bring you lots of work” pick up line.
That said, I think you get what you need with time. You probably won’t get an experienced contractor to lower anything for you on your first deal. Consider it cost of entry. But you call again for the second.... now you’re showing you’re real and will catch their attention. I would assume even at this point you could see lower prices start to happen. By the third, you should be solid. Keep in mind you may have to do this dance with each individual contractor you start a relationship with.
Here’s what I would try to work towards: after you have a solid understanding of prices, and your system gets more solid, Come up with your own pricing. If it’s fair, we love this. Itemize EVERYTHING. if you’re doing flooring, put price per square foot, include price per lineal foot of transition strip, demo, etc..... have contractors come in and estimate based on YOUR price out, or, simply say that this is what I’m paying for this job based off these rates, do we both agree I measured it out correctly, and that this is accurate?
We have contracts with large box stores and when you’re really busy this is a great way to grow our business. We make less, technically, per job. But the rates are fair, and I don’t have to bid anything! I can see the numbers on a page, skim it, say yup this seems right, and then put the job on the schedule. The ease of acquiring the job is worth the discount in payment.
It will make it easiest for both parties with time, and I guarantee you’ll keep contractors around with the ease it will bring.
Well the kids just woke up so time to run, but hopefully this helped!! Good luck!!
