23/05/2026
A customer asked how much it cost to do a container to country NSW
Owner : The answer was : approximately $1500 plus, depending where in NSW it is
Customer : why so expensive?
Owner : How much do you think it would cost you?
Customer : $800 maximum... It’s a pretty simple job right?!"
Owner : For $800 I invite you to do it yourself.
Customer : But.... I don't know how to.
Owner : For $800 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $700, you'll get the knowledge for the next time you want to do it
It seemed like a good deal to the customer and he agreed.
Owner : But first off you need to hire a specific tilt tray - it must have a winch and container pins
Customer : But I don't have all this equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job.
Owner : Well I could hire you my truck and equipment
Customer : Okay, sounds good to me
Owner : First you need insurance to cover the truck. And separate insurance for the load And don’t forget public liability insurance.
The truck will be full of fuel for the job, but must come back with a full tank of fuel
And I need to teach you how to load the container
I can teach you on Tuesday morning at 6.00am how to load a container because that’s the only time I’m available
Customer : Okay! That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday, get up extra early, and give up my time.
Owner : Well that’s the only available time I have because I have other customers.
I also I forgot to mention that to do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the nonproductive factors.
Customer : what nonproductive factors?
Owner : Wear and tear on truck. If you get a blown tyre etc.
Customer : Oh no!... I'm going to spend more money and waste a lot of time!
Customer finally says : You know, I've been thinking. You better get the job done. I'd rather pay you the $1500. If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more
When you pay for a job, you’re paying for :
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Equipment
- Services
- Punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed service
- Sacrifices
- Payment of tax obligations
- Fuel
- Insurance
No one can judge other people's work by judging prices.
Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.
