A customer asked a contractor how much it would cost to do this project.

Contractor’s quote: R30 000
The customer: That’s seems really high.

Contractor: What do you think is a reasonable price for this job?
The customer: R20 000 maximum

Contractor: Ok, then I invite you to do it yourself.
The customer: I don’t know how to.

Contractor: Alright, then how about for R15 000 I’ll teach you how to. So besides saving you R15 000, you’ll learn valuable skills that will benefit you in the future.
The customer: Sounds good! Let’s do it!

Contractor: Great! To get started, you are going to need some tools. You will need a chop saw, table saw, cordless drill, bit set, router, skill saw, jig saw, tool belt, hammer, etc…
The customer: But I don’t have any of those tools and I can’t justify buying all of these for one job.

Contractor: Ok. Well then for an additional R3000 I can rent my tools to you to use for this project.
The customer: Okay. That’s fair.

Contractor: Great! We will start the project on Monday.
The customer: I work Monday through Friday. I’m only available on the weekends.

Contractor: If you want to learn from me then you will need to work when I work. This project will take 3 days so you will need to take 3 days off work.
The customer: That means I’m going to have to sacrifice my pay for 3 days or use my vacation time!

Contractor: That’s true. Remember, when you do a job yourself you need to account for unproductive factors.
The customer: What do you mean by that?

Contractor: Doing a job completely from start to finish includes time spent to plan the project, pick up materials, travel time, petrol, set up time, clean up, and waste disposal amongst other things. That’s all-in addition to the actual project itself. And speaking of materials, that’s where we will start on Monday so I need you to meet me at the lumberyard at 6:00am.
The customer: At 6am?!! My work day doesn’t usually start until 8am!

Contractor: Well then, you’re in luck! My plan is to start on the deck build by 8am. But to do so we have to start at 6am to get materials picked up, loaded and delivered to your job site.
The customer: You know, I’m realizing that a lot more goes in to a job than what a customer sees in the finished project. Your proposal of R30 000 is very reasonable. I would like you to handle the project.

Conclusion

When you pay for a job, especially a custom job you pay not only for the material and the work to be completed.
You also pay for:
✔️ Knowledge
✔️ Experience
✔️ Custom Skills
✔️ Tools
✔️ Time to plan
✔️ Time to prepare
✔️ Professionalism
✔️ Work Ethic
✔️ Excellence
✔️ Discipline
✔️ Commitment
✔️ Integrity
✔️ Taxes
✔️ Licenses
✔️ Sacrifices
✔️ Liabilities
✔️ Insurance

If you request a proposal for custom work to be done, please don’t disrespect a service provider by trying to get them to lower their prices. If their proposal exceeds your budget, there’s nothing wrong with getting other proposals. Just remember… you get what you pay for.

> SERVICE PROVIDERS: Know your worth and be confident in it.
> CONSUMERS: Recognize their worth and be respectful of it.