House Prices

[sirio]

Let them choose cheap alternatives, they will probably learn the hard way that for 25$ they'll get only crap.

[glorybound]

Yeah, I just don't get people sometimes. Go to a Porche dealer, take up the salesperson's time and then say you are ready to sign, but you have the budget for a 10-year-old used Ford.

[trick]

....So, your budget was $25 a house?....

Why not avoid this by putting a minimum price on your website? That way you prevent misunderstanding and missing time with your children

[glorybound]

Why not avoid this by putting a minimum price on your website? That way you prevent misunderstanding and missing time with your children

I do small playsets for $350 all the way up, so I am not sure that would be a good solution. I am very clear, but I guess they hear what they want to hear. I worked with one guy for a couple of months and he passed it to someone else. You would think they had some realistic idea of what things cost off the get-go.

[JezUK]

Maybe the issue here is that you're spending too much time on a quote - then, when it doesn't work out, you get upset (because you've spent all that time).

I used to be like that.

Nowadays, I just spend a short amount of time on a quote, I simply don't invest too much time on giving a price. If it doesn't work out and it doesn't come my way, no worries, I haven't lost much.

Also, you're Porsche analogy is incorrect. People know the price of the car because it is displayed. Your pricing they don't know, it's bespoke, custom, they need to find out. Sometimes I simply ask if they have a budget before I do any quoting. Just to see if we're on the same page.

[glorybound]

Any inquiries I get they get a project quote sheet to fill out, which includes a line for their budget. The budget line is almost never filled out. Usually quoting is pretty quick, but once in awhile, I get people who call 2-3 times a week, tying me up for hours and this goes on for months. They have huge aspirations and I tell them that it'll get expensive for them really quick. This guy has 135 renderings that he wants to be done for around $3000. Really, he has already wasted $3000 of my time.

[JezUK]

.......he has already wasted $3000 of my time.....

No Bobby, you allowed him to waste $3000 of your time and are blaming him.

Stop getting tied up for hours, especially if you've already spoken to them.

You've just got to spot these people sooner.

And watch your time !

[glorybound]

I understand trying to get a good price, but at some point, it is an insult. I think he knows he has lost me, he has called me three times today. It is like putting something on eBay and some jerk low-balls; there is always one in the group.

[JezUK]

An insult ? That's Ego talk.

Just take it on the chin. You're busy Bobby, thank the Lord !

Many others out there would love your "problem" !

[glorybound]

Yes, I am thankful. The more I make the more I give, so it is a blessing!

People just confuse me sometimes. When I am car shopping I don't show up at the Porche dealer because I have a good sense of what cars cost. These people are not homeowners, they are people in the business and should know better. I often get people who say that their project can't support the number I give, but when a project comes up that does, they'll be back, and many are. I think the worst part is giving them a good number, lower than normal to help out, just to be insulted.

Anyway, I think I am over it

[flino2004]

I don't waste time negotiating a price, I always quote flat for my old clients...for new ones, I have quote the minimum amount I'm willing to charge for that job and it's not negotiable.... If they want 5 views and I notice that one view is only moving the camera I discount a bit I send the invoice lower than they expected with a little explanation why is lower ... They are happy and they don't ask the next time.

[glorybound]

I don't usually negotiate either. If I really want the job I might lower a little. If I don't care, it isn't negotiable at all.

[fixeighted]

I find that mostly the people who are contesting the price usually either have no idea of the work being done, or are simply trying to beat you down so that they can stick their own (probably hefty) margin on top.
Negotiation is fine, though it has to remain rational
I just quoted for an exterior house job and they came back (actually the middleman did) and said they wanted an extra 3 interiors which I quoted for. He immediately said could they have them for a third less. That would be his cut is my guess
Not my problem if they can't afford things. Poor old property developers eh?

[glorybound]

This guy first contacted me because he does the renderings for his dad in Chief Architect, so, "he knows what it takes". I saw his work and it is basically a hit render thing. I think this will now become a new red flag... some people know enough just to be dangerous.

[stevesideas]

Am I missing something? Two weeks for $800? That seems really cheap to me.