Pricing & Payment Methods

This option is good for those who have a really solid idea of what they want done and want a guaranteed price upfront. With this option, the first thing I do is make a free visit to see what the customer wants done. I come, discuss what the customer wants to achieve and then take photos and measurements as necessary to be able to come up with an accurate amount that I would need to charge to be able to complete the job. For small jobs, if I am able to make a quote, have the customer approve it while I am still on-site and I happen to not have anything scheduled later in the day, I can usually take care of it right away. For bigger jobs, if the work is to be done another day, if a permit or sub-contractor would be required, or if the customer can't make a decision right away, I take my notes and generate a plan and an official quote form to send via e-mail. The price I quote for one-off jobs is guaranteed for 2 weeks. If a customer is signing a contract for recurring services such as lawn mowing or house cleaning, I guarantee those service contract prices for up to 6 months at a time. When paying "by the job," customers are benefiting from certainty about how much they will be spending. When I quote a job, I am saying that I will get the job done for the amount I quote, regardless of time. If I make a mistake or do not anticipate something which makes the job take a little longer, I will still do what I have to in order to complete the job as agreed for the price agreed. This might mean I lose money on some jobs. On the other hand, if I am efficient and quick, that can mean I make a little more than my usual hourly rate sometimes, and that just means I am good at my job.

This is a good option if someone has a few things they want done, they aren't exactly sure how they want to go about them, but they still want me to show up somewhere and start working on something with no initial quote visit or planning. Also, if someone wants to be with me, directing my work and being part of the process as we go, I have to charge hourly since I can't anticipate how much time that oversight will add. My rate for this type of work is a flat $120/hr rounded to the nearest 15 minutes, taxes included, not $120 plus tax. I have a $120 minimum, so customers may as well try to come up with about an hours' worth of things for me to do if they are wanting this option for something small. If someone only wants one little thing done and it takes ten minutes, I still have to charge $120 because tools and equipment obviously all cost money, I am still spending money on gas and vehicle maintenance costs getting to people's places, and I am paying to be legally licensed, insured and bonded as well. If someone isn't quite sure what they want done, obviously I cannot quote a job price, but for $120/hr plus the cost of any materials needed I am willing to show up anywhere within my service area and help with whatever someone might be trying to get accomplished. That is $120/hr from the time I arrive to the time I am done and heading home. If I have to go to the store and get materials to complete the job, that clock is still running. If customers have materials they might want me to use on-hand when I get there, they can save themselves some money.