08/01/2025
A customer asked me how much it cost to do this job....
I answered him: R1500
He said: So expensive for this job?
I asked: How much do you think it will cost you?
He answered me: R800 maximum.. It’s a pretty simple job right? ! "
- For R800 I invite you to do it yourself.
- But.... I don't know how to.
- For R800 I will teach you how to. So apart from saving your R700, you will get the knowledge for the next time you want
- It seemed right to him and he agreed.
- But for starters: you need tools: a welding machine, grinding machine, cutting saw, drill press, welding hood, gloves etc...
- But I don't have all this equipment and I can't buy all this for one job.
- Well, for another R300 more I will rent my stuff to you so you can do it.
- Okay, he says.
- Okay! Tuesday I'm waiting for you to start doing this work
- But I can't Tuesday, I only have time today.
- I'm sorry, but I'm only available on Tuesday to teach you my stuff and lend them to you. Other days are busy with other customers.
- Okay! This means I am going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday, my tasks must be rewarded.
- I forgot. To do your work yourself, you also have to pay for the non-productive factors.
- This is ? What is this? "
- Bureaucracy, tax, VAT, security, insurance, fuel etc.\n
- Oh no!... But to perform these tasks, I'm going to spend more money and waste a lot of time!
- Do you have them ? Can you do this to me before? "
- Okay!
- I will make you all the material you need. Truck loading will be done Monday evening or Tuesday morning. You will have to come load the truck at 6. Don't forget to be on time to avoid traffic jams and be on time
- On 6??? Nope! Too early for me! I usually got up later...
- You know, I was thinking. You better get the job done. I'd rather pay you the R1500. If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me much more.
When you pay for a job, especially handmade, you're not only paying for the materials used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tool
- Services
- Time to go
- punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed
- Patente
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
- Payment of tax obligations
No one can tear down other people's work by judging prices.
Only by knowing all the elements required for the production of a certain job can you estimate the actual cost.
NS: I didn't write this dialogue, but sharing it to support craftsmen and entrepreneurs, that's it.
