01/10/2024
A customer asked me how much it cost to do a small weld job.
Me: $200-400
Client: So expensive for this job?
Me: How much do you think it would cost you?
Client: $200 maximum... That's a pretty simple job.
Me: For $200 I invite you to do it yourself.
Client: I don't know how to.
Me: $200 I'll teach you how and save you $200-400 you'll get the knowledge as well.
Me: But to get started: you need tools: A welder, grinder, chop saw, drill press, welding hood, gloves etc...
Client: But I don't have all of the equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job.
Me: Well then for another $100 more I'll rent all my tools to you so you can do it?
Client: Okay.
Me: How's Tuesday work for you?
Client: I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.
Me: Im sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.
Client: You know, I've been thinking. I'd rather pay you the $200 If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more money and time to do it myself and get tools ECT
When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tools
- Services
- Time to go
- punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed
- Patents
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
- Payment of tax obligations
No one can denigrate 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.
PS: (I did not write this dialogue, ) but am sharing it to support craftsmen and entrepreneurs and other small business owners that's it.
