Telling a customer your man hour rate

[TMlawncare]

The one rule that must be remembered it "never tell the customer your hourly rate." Now repeat this again and again. Yes some might get away with it, but more often then not you will have a customer question you. Its not worth losing a job or a client. If you are fairly good at accessing time just figure a little long and you will usually be fine.

[greendoctor]

Never. If someone needs to know that, they can find someone who will buy all of their materials at the orange box and work for $10 an hour. If they called me, it is because they are looking for a professional and a technician who knows his business. I bill by the job. That price includes materials, my time and overhead.

[Stillwater]

Originally Posted by TMlawncare

The one rule that must be remembered it "never tell the customer your hourly rate." Now repeat this again and again. Yes some might get away with it, but more often then not you will have a customer question you. Its not worth losing a job or a client. If you are fairly good at accessing time just figure a little long and you will usually be fine.

I don't go out of my way to anounce labor rates either but you guys must know the moment you hand them the bill and they write the check they know your rate for the job you performed, it is really no secrete then.

[greendoctor]

I do not hand people bills. In fact, someone who is home is a red flag to me. If they were out making money, my invoice would not be cause for a Buddhist rite.

[topsites]

My answer to this question is ALWAYS:

"My minimum is 30 dollars."
Which, yeah, that just so happens to be my minimum.

The thing is I have to answer the question yet it's really none of their business and that gets the point across.
And I do say it nicely but I'm not working for less than my usual rate, either.

[Dave_005]

i NEVER tell a customer my hourly rate. when i give an estimate thats the price i do the job for.