Thought this might encourage anyone else out there who, like me, has taken it in the chops a few times lately.
I’m trying to “position” us as offering really cutting edge design work as well as being good technicians. We recently pitched a small job for some fixtures at a new store… they balked at the price initially. I explained that if they wanted fixtures that would distinguish them from every other luxury home goods store, they would have to be designed and built from scratch… lots of labor, lots of service at our end = lots of money (not a big $ job but, considering what we’re building it ain’t cheap).
Also pitched a “reception counter” for a car dealership. Offered them a couple quick sketches to show them what we could do but told them that anything more than that required a committment. We threw them a rough number based on the simple sketch they liked. Again, they balked at the estimate.
I’m in noooooooo shape to lose work right now, but I chewed on my fingernails and waited to see what happened.
Both jobs signed on board… not huge jobs but should be good profit, hopefully enough to keep the wolf away from the door for a while 😉 Not trying to sound smug here, I could wind up peddling my tools at a tag sale next month but for now it feels good to stick to your guns and have it pay off…
Hang tough guys 😉
PaulB
Replies
Just make sure you get a deposit. We don't want no more stories!!! ;~)
[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
Smart*ss
;)
Hope you are yours are well... when are we meeting up for that beer?
I'm pretty well known for being a wise guy. For some reason what some people consider humor is a wise crack from me!
Sounds like some nice work to land Paul, and a good foot in the door for more like it. I immediately thought of the reception area at the photo shop when I read the thread.
C'mon, how about a pic of that bad boy?
Eric[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
My old lab? Sure... I'll take a walk down memory lane ;)
FYI... this was the reception area of my old business. Eric paid me a visit or two there before we closed. Believe it or not, I don't have many good photos (the shoemaker's kids go barefoot) but the front desk (lower left photo) was about a 14' long polished concrete countertop with camera parts and fossils imbedded in it. Used to have people stop in just to see it.
http://www.berendsohn.us/retail_store_lobby.htm
For the auto dealer, all we have at this point is a rough concept sketch. Be glad to post a fancy shmancy rendering and the real thing once it's done if there's any interest.
(And don't forget we're gonna hook up for a beer sometime...right?)
Nice lobby. I take it those pics are from your website? Or should we not bring that up here?? ;) Smart azz strikes again!!
(And don't forget we're gonna hook up for a beer sometime...right?)
Yeah, we gotta. You're so friggin far away...........how far is Norwalk for you. Tryin to find a midway.
Eric[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
Norwalk works Eric... let me know if when DW gives you a night off
Norwalk works Eric... let me know if when DW gives you a night off
Hey, who you callin henpecked?
[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
I know you well enough to neverrrrr call you ummmmmmmmmmm...
that
Great job Paul...Congrads!!!
When you say "sketch", what do you mean exactly?Creation arises, is sustained for awhile, and then things change. That’s the dance.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
In this case Andy I did a really basic sketch in ECabinet just showing a rough concept with a few views.
I've been playing with Sketchup lately, doing some cabinet layouts with it. Haven't bought the pro5 version, just toying with the google version for now. I tried to check out e-cabinet on the web, and found their site, but am not completely clear on the concept. Also, their site warns that the program can be difficult to learn, but then says its easy to learn if you understand the key concepts.
So how does the e-cabinet program work? How do you like drawing with it? "...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
Well, I guess it depends on what you're doing Huck. I'm doing more and more custom built cabinets and for that it's really great. Or if you're going to buy cabinet components and build your own, it's great. Very powerful program but... a longgggg learning curve (at least for me). Once you get fairly adept you can crank out a design with very few bugs or issues and what some of the guys are doing on the User's Forum is remarkable but you gotta have lots and lots of patience.
Good job.
There's no better way to make more money than to simply ask for it.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
atta boy !... now give a tug on that line and set the hook
congrats. Paul !
always stick to your guns on something like that,and NEVER cut your price
cutting your price STILL doesn't gaurantee the sale----and if you DO get it---it's for less
Had 2 jobs come in the same way within the last 4 days
one was re-lining a box gutter on an old house---- the other was replacing an entire roof
for the roof---I had given a proposal LAST year in October----at the time we talked about doing the job early in the spring of 2006. customer called me this Tuesday evening---------seems he fell on ice last winter----had huge knee surgery and unexpected medical bills---had to put the thing off. Now needs to proceed----------also mentioned that my price was approx. 50% HIGHER than a competetors price but he says he feels it is a fair price based on the strong referall he had recieved( from my high school religon teacher from way back in 1978 LOL)---and also the magazine articles I had written( thank you FHB)----anyhow he repeatedly mentioned how confident he is that he is recieving a fair price for the demonstrated quality.
NEVER cut your price--------when the jobs come in, you want them coming in at FULL price---(that's what lets you comfortably wait out the slow periods)-----and they always seem to come in in bunches. I know you want a bunch of full price jobs---not a bunch of cut price jobs
Again---congrats.
Excellent post Haz and congrats.
I think I'm gonna give my fifth grade religion teacher a call. She's the only one in that school that would vouch for me LOL!
blueOur Skytrak is for sale. It has 500 hrs on it. We want 50k (you pay the freight) and we'll finance it. Drop me an email; it's a good buy.
Blue,
I owe Mr. Halaiko for much more than a roofing project
way back in high school there was this girl------- I thought she was pretty cute, and smart,and funny,and loud and outgoing---pretty much my complete opposite. NO WAY I could EVER get the nerve up to approach her----even though we were both in the band------
but in religon class Mr. Halaiko ALWAYS sat us by each other. I was REAL skinny and gawky---and too young to have a real job-----but back in the neighborhood---across town I had these regular customers I cut grass for and shoveled snow for. After school I would take the city bus back to MY side of town and shovel snow untill 8-9-10:00 at night( $3 for a sidewalk and driveway---$5 for a corner lot LOL)
Well--------one day I walked in to religon class( as always) wearing my workboots and my " floods" and Janet said " hey---aren't those pants kind of short ?"--- Probably the first words she had ever spoke to me.
I looked her in the eye and replied"---yep---but they are all I can afford---wanna buy me a new pair ?"-------- well she turned about 9 shades of red with embarrassment( I was about one shade less red)----and the rest is history. We have been married 22 years now, 2 sons( one is a senior at the same school and the other graduated last year and is a freshman at a private college about 2 hours away
I am still a dummy and a horrible dresser---- but somehow I conned the cute girl into marrying me--- I put her through college and a 2 sons through 13 years of private school---and now onto college.
I bet a month hasn't gone by since 1978 that I don't at least mentally thank Mr. Halaiko
Best wishes, Stephen
Great strory Stephen, thanks for sharing it.
One correction though. You ain't no dummy.
blueOur Skytrak is for sale. It has 500 hrs on it. We want 50k (you pay the freight) and we'll finance it. Drop me an email; it's a good buy.
blue,
believe me,
there is no phony,false modesty when i tell you I am not that bright.
my oldest son---however is another story---that's one smart kid.
college sent me a copy of his mid term grades this monday. when I got home from work and saw those grades I E-mailed him right away to tell him how proud I am of him. told him that I had spent the day hauling 5 gallon buckets of mortar up to the top of a tall chimney I am re-pointing---and If I had known all day that his report card was gonna be so good the whole day would of been a snap.
took son #2 on as college visit weds. /thurs---- on the way home we stopped in to see son #1 at college and congratulate him in person. Tried to give son #1------ $50 and he wouldn't take it---said he was doing just fine.---that is one damn good kid and I hope I can get son#2 off to as good a start as well.
I am maybe a little to proud of my wife and sons, but I do try to see that all 3 of them get the education I didn't get myself, LOL
Best wishes , Stephen
Funny thing is, I always considered you one of the most educated guys on this site.
ANDYSZ2 WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
I agree Andy. If he's not educated, he's faking it pretty good eh?!
Sometimes life delivesr more knowledge than the one living it understands.
blueOur Skytrak is for sale. It has 500 hrs on it. We want 50k (you pay the freight) and we'll finance it. Drop me an email; it's a good buy.
blue,
you and andy are
A) too kind
B) sadly mistaken
C)---exactly the kind of people I wish I could have got hired by and learned from 25 years ago---- since Icouldn't swing that I have had to learn EVERYTHING the Effen HARD way
Maybe we otta get back to giving Paul congrats.
Best wishes,All
Stephen
That your boy didn't want to take the $'s means you have done a fine job of teaching him good values. You should be proud of yourself!Nice job!Brooks
Did you ever get new pants?
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
EVEREYBODY rags on my pants---- first Janet back in '78
Mike Smith complained that the pants I am wearing in the current FHB look too new !
there is no pleasing "SOME" people
now you LOL
I will tell you, clothes rank sooooo far down on my list,--- without much exageration ---you could put every article of clothing I own in a single army duffle bag----well maybe a duffle bag and a gym bag---winter coat takes up some room.
stephen
Congrats to you as well Stephen... besides if I cut my price Mike Smith will kick my butt. ;)
Good for you....and us hearing the good news.
If you are like me at around 50....you don't need any more practise.
Don't know about Paul but I'm around 50...well I was 13 years ago anyway. It's not the practice that gets me, its the "friends". One evey told me he would buy my lunch if I would re-hang his storm door. Another wanted me to hang a storm door for her because Lowes was "so high". My standard line is, if you can't affor Lowes, you sure can't afford me. Doesn't always work but I've got enough of those kind of friends.