I agree, up to a point. If I were calling a guy to come out and repair my non-working furnace, no, just fix it, no estimate needed. On the other hand, if I'm replacing a 5000 dollar system, I would get 2 or 3 estimates.
Steven Lav's learning video. "Don't buy any books on business sense! Watch this video and get 30 years worth of business knowledge in 17 minutes! LOL!!!"
you probably dont give a damn but does anybody know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly forgot my login password. I love any tricks you can give me
You are absolutely 1000 percent correct! Never in my life will I work for another real estate person again ever!!! Did I say never ever again yes I meant that! All they do is waste your time! I'm a carpentry contractor. When someone calls me to a job to do an estimate and starts asking me questions, whoa STOP. My reply is simple if you want to hire me to be a consultant I get $150 an hour. With a 1 hour minimum upfront. Now I simply tell him this over the phone. I agree with you work less make more.
A lot of useful information there. I was stuck on stupid once with real estate agents...but then I got smart and man you hit the nail right on the head with that segment. Thanks Steve. Love the segment at the end with your doughnut lovin doggy. hahahaha that was great.
Steve, I'm with you. I do not drive all over the place providing free estimates. I do everything by time and materials. Anyone providing free estimates has very high rates because someone has to pay for all that driving, tolls, gas, wear and tear, etc. Keep up the good work pal, you are the reason I started making videos on my channel.
I'm not a tradesman. I work on the computer and all that stuff, but this video applies to more than just trades. Thanks Steve you got a lot of lessons to teach
The pandemic was the best thing to ever happen to my industry. People no longer want to do in-person consults. Now people just want to talk on the phone or through Zoom. Saves me so much time, and money!
Steve, great video. This vid applies to any field. I’ve been a dentist for 25 years and it applies to what I do also. I used to work for a guy who would say if you double the fees, and less than half of the patients leave, you win. Want it done cheap and badly? Go to the new guy down the block. Want it done well, you have to pony up.
I agree 100% Steve. Time is money, fuel is money, liability insurance is money. It cost us money to get licensed, to buy tools and equipment and to stay educated with evolving technology. We have to get paid not only to support ourselves, but to cover all our overhead as well. In a nutshell quality service costs money. If the price is too good to be true, the customer should think twice.
Hi Steve! Great points.. You are spot on ! I owned an appliance/tv store for years. Major line was General Electric. When ever a realtor came in for a bid of a kitchen full of appliances...they would screw around and take my bid back to a competitor.. All he was doing was screwing both of us dealers. Finally we put together a plan that we would provide a bid on a certain day.. He would provide each dealer with a copy of all the bids provided. Before I would submit I asked if my bid was the lowest,would he make the purchase on the spot. If not,,no bid and he would be at the mercy of the other dealers..( no point in everyone selling for nothing) .He got one shot. If we didn't get it we didn't care. If we were called to service products purchased elsewhere, we charged our extra special published rates, and not the discounted we had for our customers. I understand everyone wants to deal. Dude that ran the local nursing home refused to pay sales tax....Geeeesh...
You are right about the price of doing a job.....it reminds me of the time a fellow called about his beer walk-in and I show up and see its leaking at the hanging evap over top of all that beer, and I see the big receiver tanks outside and tell him (after only 10 minutes on site) the repair would be in the neighborhood of $550. He gasp and I left. Before I got back to the shop he'd already called my boss and gave him hell about the high price. Long story told he called back a week or so later and told the boss he'd just paid $835 to have another company do the job.....LOL I refused any future service opportunity there on principal!
I gave free estimates on repairs of compressors or change-outs. People will want what cost is so they can get idea of parts and get a low ball bids. Never give cost of material over phone,either. Good info on this video.
Someone I went to school with runs his family's plumbing and HVAC company. He had me come look at cleaning up his phone and network cabling, hired me to do the job so I ordered some materials. He confirmed the day before the job, only cancel 8 hours later - because he decided to just do it himself. I can't imagine him being too happy if I hired him to replace my hot water heater and I cancelled, telling him I went to Home Depot and bought my own and installed it.
You a funny rude, dude. I gotta admit I totally enjoy your videos and very informational and educational. I gotta a hand it to you, you know your shit! My regards to Ms. Molly! Lmao!
That made me laugh Steve! People don't appreciate what it takes to have the knowledge and ability to make professional repairs. I am with you on the free est... I had a lady last week with an old delta kitchen single handle that would not come apart and I told her it may happen so she showed me a few other items that they wanted done in the future and acted like she would pay me for this call when I came back. What am I a flippen idiot I got my 85$ and left I hope they don't call back. It's not my fault that handle would come off I pulled like hell and tried every trick in the book! You can tell the type that want you to break something so they think the repair should be free! Has that ever happened to you? Sorry for the long comment had to share...
If you're pulling and straining to get a faucet apart just to change an o-ring, gasket, etc... And the person wouldn't even entertain just buying a new faucet, that tells you right there where they're coming from. You did the right thing. They could have put that $85 towards you doing a faucet replacement, but now they're out the money for your base rate and still at square one. Their cheapness bites em in the end...
Great seeing your face, lol. I've been watching your videos for a while now. I love your attitude on taking care of older people and not gouging them for repairs. I'm putting in a furnace and condenser, and your videos help alot, lol. Keep on brother, you make a lot of people happy!
Great advice Steve...I'm pricing up a combination boiler swap tmoro..Its local to me and gentleman has agreed to £20 call out fee to discuss....First time ive been paid for estimate...Cheers you're a HVAC legend
New a guy who did sod laying on the side. He is a fireman for the city regularly. He had a prospect that told him he was way too expensive. He said " well that's the cost. Good luck on your project" the prospect said that he was going to do the job but he had to bring his price down. At that point he should've walked away. He ended up doing the job. If it was me , I would have walked away to the next one. Don't forget, this was a side job. He worked full time for the fire dept
It used to bother me bad when I gave a quote on a job and never heard back. I would always wonder if I bid too high. Now I don’t worry. At age 54 , I would much rather not do a job than to do it too low and work my tail off for nothing. So now I bid it fair and let them decide. If they turn it down then I feel I just dodged a bullet. I ain’t working for free.
when I was a electrician always had the estimate calls, and pricing issues, I used to give a price and tell them if you don't take it now it will be twice as much when you call back.I fix restaurant equipment and have 20 locations that provide all the work I can do, so I don't take calls except from the store managers.
Steve it goes both ways. I had some jamoke quote me $2600 to cut out about 10' of cast iron drain in a basement and replace with $100 worth of pvc. I hung up on that crook. I later found out that same guy charges $350 for a thermocouple.
People ask me for estimates on repairs, I never understood it, Doctors don't give free estimates for surgeries , mechanics wont rip out a motor to find whats wrong to then put it back in and not get paid. For any job that requires troubleshooting we get paid , thats what we do to make a living. I hate when customers say "I could of done that" , I always ask "then why didn't you"?.
The trades contractors are the worlds best mechanics and the worlds worst business men. These practices will never end with free estimates till doomsday. You nailed it one thousand percent.
How about charging for the estimate, which definitely requires your time and skill, but then discounting it if the customer hires you for the job (assuming it's big enough, like a new system install)...?
I'm 45 years in full time in a related trade. Free estimates always seem to turn into free troubleshooting. Then the guy gets his next-door neighbors cousins brother to do it cheap. Worse yet when the hack screws screws the job up, they will say you troubleshot the job wrong and badmouth you.
good morning, thank you for sharing all your knowledge,i watch your videos while walking on my treadmill..i had no idea you were so close by, till i saw you driving down rt 6 in mass..i worked for bennys for 50 years and traveled down some of the same streets..love watching you and miss molly..keep the videos coming, joe
What about the guy that wants you to bid the job so he knows how much he should give his friend to do the work. When I go to a job and see a bunch of half finished repair, run the other way. Their is a reason the last guy did not finish
"Do not work for free" - I agree 100%. When I receive a phone call request for an estimate (free or not), I do check if it is my existing customer. If not I just say - there is no estimation for service and repaire. You will be lucky to find someone that is willing to come fast and is capable to help. You want to do renovations? - call a renovation lackey - a non licensed idiot that will give a lowest estimate and then rip you off.
Quality work isn't free. Nor is expert experience. People have no idea what it costs to put a good mechanic in a vehicle , pay his insurance , stock parts, pay for fuel, business licenses, permits etc
I actually do this as a customer in the reverse. If they offer really low estimate or ask what the competition offer, I know chances are they are going to cut corners. There is a saying in Spanish: "Cheap price turn out expensive." However, I do look up general price estimates for jobs to get an idea if they are super over-changing.
I'm always amazed how people value their time. Usually they way under-value. Guess it depends on the person. Anyway, been following you a long time but never heard you talk about how you take time off, whether a weekend or vacation. How do you determine or plan your days off? Maybe a topic for your next vlog.
We don't work for free !!!! You are right. But even when you have the agreement how much will cost for your job, they don't want to pay or they just don't have the enough money to pay . I hate those customers. And when you try to contact them asking for your money, They don't answer the phone or if they answer they get piss lol.
My friend keeps thinking to give estimates on his home services.. I tell him to ask for sale up front and close them.. Or the next salesperson WILL close them.. It falls on deaf ears... Its not like i sold over 2million a year in home kitchens or any thing.(10% plus) or worked for remodeler of the year.. Got training every week seminars, cds reading material etc.. But what do i know.. Al I know is I'm retired and he never will be.(told me so work till I die). It was a no job.. If you cant take a no do something else.. But never ever not ask for the sale.. And not just once.. Different animal steve my average was 4k a sale commission..
This is the funniest Steve Lab video, I have watched it a dozen times over the past year. If I could call a professional like you and consult you for your hourly wage I would jump all over that.
Steve, Been running my own business for the last 15-years. You are 100% RIGHT! BUT You did miss one thing however, stay the HELL away from insurance jobs/claims! I will never ever give an insurance estimate! NEVER! Waste of gas, time, paper, ink and miles on my brand new truck! I turn them down all the time. One customer said.... I still would like an estimate. How much $$$? I told her to call Jim's home repair on craigslist! Not interested! lol
Giving free estimates suck!!! trying to get more and more away from it. Your right your chasing a dollar that ten other guys are chasing. Like you said nobody coming to my house for free. Love watching your videos!!!!
Like you said you can feel when you talk to a customer if you are going to have a problem with them! Always want 50 precent down on big jobs like installations! That is when you find out if the customer is worth dealing with!
oh you've done work for the India guys to. them and the orentals are some kind of special. I guess that is how they work in other parts of the world. great video buddy.
Mike Pagel I worked with an older electrician (owner) who won the work bid on a new gas station close to a freeway. Completed 90% of the work and was told to leave by the gas station owners. Never paid him. They were them...
you are right its case by case. i tell them if i have to pull out a tool, crawl or go in an attic i charge and exploration charge. you are right you have to feel them out on the phone. i had a neighbor just walk up to my home, his water heater thermostat was failing. when i walked in his garage to look at it he said to me, " If i called my regular plumber her would charge me an arm and a leg" I said, oh i cant charge you full price. This piece of shit. Asked me if i wanted the job i said no.
Elizabeth Warren says, just like Bernie Sanders, you should do everything for free....and send the bill to the government and she will make sure you get your payment...
I work for a company and we give free estimates for change outs. I think this is totally right. Of course we don't give free estimates for a bad capacitor or something small like that. If your AC is not working we charge you a service fee, and when we find out what's wrong we give you the price to get the system running again. Steve, being in business for many years you forgot how you started your business. It was not like that, I am sure. You have many customers now, people in your area know you. If your business model is working for you - that's great, but don't make everyone else think this business model will work for them too. I totally agree that people in the trade are not supposed to work for free - there is no question about that. But when you run a company with 5-10-20 or more employees business looks different. Also new business owners are competing with unlicensed contractors - they move the price so low.
Based on your youtube videos, I think you price repairs very reasonably. The plumbers in the Washington, DC area charge about $125/hour plus a charge to pull up to the curb.
I agree 100%. When I started HVAC business first year it happened to me which I don't regret because I started and made the most of my client that way but also got tired and drained. Then later became experienced as servicer, installer and negotiator you realize you don't want to work for the money let the money work for you.
Agreed. estimates take more time than you mentioned ... some need a complete heat loss gain calculation....pricing equipment . plus you have write it all down and explain what is covered etc. Like ya said they go with the cheapest and some companies pay the rebate up front with nothing due for a year . just a gimmick .....Not much money doing installs anyway unless you do many.. You are safe no installers have your credentials knowledge or experience . You don't need it....
I have been there and done that for over 40 years. The property management companies are the worst and I used to put liens on their properties and stopped doing them. People want freebies but like you said, they sure as hell don't work for free so why should we. The Rag heads are the worst. We talk about price when you get here one said to me when I had my septic pumping business lol. And most want you to tell them how to do it so they can try to do it and save a buck and you drive home empty handed and burn gas up, NOT GONNA HAPPEN. My friend has a Plumbing business and he makes over $100.00 per hr and actually turns work away because he is so damn busy he can not keep up. He doesn't advertise and has more business than he can keep up with. They call him and when he gets there he charges what ever he want's and gets paid and moves on but he bills a lot of his work. His dad was a master plumber and we both learned a lot from him but he passed away last December.
I totally agree with you I do the same way I usually ask them to send me pictures of the work he needs done and a list I kind of tell them the price of one installation as a test to see how their reaction is on the price of that particular if he starts having and puffing on that particular installation I tell them you need to get someone else I’m not your guy for you sorry cut this conversation short but I have to go now and it’s done and saved myself a hustle and somebody that’s going to nickel and dime me I can’t stand those kind of people
Steve. If I needed an estimate for remodeling my bathroom I would pay you 2 thousand just to give me an estimate. You do good work. And good work don’t come cheap! Keep the videos coming!
I made the mistake of having to use a professional plumber on my son's FHA house. High price for less than average work. Have had to redo and replace several things.
Many year ago this gal and her husband wanted me to replace a hot water tank in their small trailer , this was probably in 1998. I asked them a few questions and at the time here in Washington state a going fee for a tank installation was 400 to 500 dollars, they asked me if I could barter with them, what's the barter I asked and they said 10 cases of beer and some undetermined amount of marijuana, can you believe that, I said the job was 500 dollars plus parts and for a straightforward replacement, and space construction was more. They though I was flippin mad, we parted ways never to talk again.
My side hustle is a computer repair business. I live in a rural area and I'm pretty much the only one around for 50 miles that do what I do. $60 minimum for estimates. I really don't need the work but if they are willing to pay, I'm there.
you get what you pay for ... and most likely when home owners go low ball offer it ends up costing more because now you have to pay someone else to come fix it because low baller took their money and ain't going back ... love the honesty Steve
The average gross profit margin in the hvac industry is 2 to 3 percent. That's why there is so much sub par work everywhere. Most business owners have no formal business training. Gotta work the jobs up to a standard not down to a price! I know how much a job costs every time.....when I'm done with it! The definition of estimate is worse case scenario based on my experience.....or I will ballpark it & cost it out so everyone wins. Sure you want an estimate?
You're right! I only adjust work only dependant on the exact situation. There are rare times that family or friends can't afford the whole issue, I do allow some leeway. Unless you have a show up fee ( no matter how you name it), it's still time. When I'm on the clock, it costs money. I sometimes might make an exception for a real financial case. I usually try to fit the bid into the job, in that case. If you go for the signed bid, I forgive the assessment fee. I have even done jobs for free labor, just parts cost. I only do that in extreme cases and family My dad said that if you give something for free, you expect it free every time.
I don’t work for free. My time is worth something, I don’t have an issue with helping someone out but there is a limit . The name is tucker not sucker !
Realtors make there % just to sell. Everyone is always looking for deals, I ask everyone do you work for free? Cause I don't. I had a customer ask for a quote on new steam boiler I told him my price and he said I'm too high, I told him my price is to do it right. He went cheap and had problems all winter and quess what? He called me when it was giving him problems cause the installer didn't return his calls. I said no thanks
I had an ex gf that was / is a narcissistic borderline realtor. She thinks her shit don't stink. I should have worn 'Steve gloves' around that harem keeper.
I guess if you're doing all small repairs and are in high demand, maybe it's not worth it to do estimates. Only do the work you feel comfortable doing. However if you want the bigger jobs you need to make an appearance and submit a formal bid. If you're tired of small 1-hour jobs and want bigger, longer jobs that keep you busy and are more profitable, then free estimates are the only way to do it and the quickest way to chase off a potential customer is to tell them you charge for estimates or will bill them an unknown number at the end of the job if they hire you open-ended. I realize region and different trades play a role in why you may not want to give free estimates, especially if customers ask you to drive over an hour in each direction for a job you don't think you'll get and you would rather cruise around town collecting service calls instead, but if you want the big jobs you have to put in the customer service. Look the part, act the part, be personable and be polite, know your limits but don't show it, smile and be clean, know your trade and how long it will take you and how much material, make sure you leave room for surprises, don't rip them off but don't sell yourself short, and get back to them ASAP with a formal bid. You might be surprised how often customers only get one or two bids and just want it done.
No kidding, nobody is blindly going to write a blank check for a furnace to heat pump conversion of $20k without having an estimate. For a small repair I agree it's ridiculous, but for major projects you definitely will not get the job without a proper bid. There is also a ton more profit on a major project vs replacing someones faucet.
This all very much makes sense. I never gave " free estimates". After people on welfare decided they cant pay me. I now charge a minimum up front before i touch anything. I hate and usually decine work for someone on welfare. I always tell them. Minimum up front or no service. Theres always someone thinking i will find the problem all for free and give them a quote.
I totally agree with the customers paying me to go to them. My clients expect me to provide a service to them & if they want me to show up they better plan on paying me for my time. I don’t do HVAC anymore but the same principle applies to what I do. I’ve also heard the story about the old bull & young bull, in fact I’ve told that story to a lot of others too.
G'day Steven, aye ya goin? That's Aussie slang for 'how are you going? I just love watching your American movies. Great hilarious video with a lot of humour, impersonations and your 'wisecracks'. For the fun of it, why not put in an application to work part time as an actor in the film industry? Not only do you look like Al Capone, you talk like him with that deep accent. You never know, you might get the part. Do a few auditions. With a bit of practice in front of your mirror, I bet you would act much better than Robert De Niro did in The Untouchables.
Wonder how he handles customer payment. Cash only and no checks? Also curious how he doesn't get burned by people not paying. Time and material can only be charged after the job is done I would imagine.
I've heard to avoid contractors offering free estimates because chances are you're getting a salesman, not a technician. As a result you'll "need" a new furnace or water heater or something.
Steve you're hallarious! That was great stuff!! I'm a plumber in Brockton I emailed you too. I have hundreds of stories myself about customers. We got to hook up. Check your email had a question I needed an answer. How about this one. "i got a lot of work for you but you have to give me a really good price!" LOL
I agree, up to a point. If I were calling a guy to come out and repair my non-working furnace, no, just fix it, no estimate needed. On the other hand, if I'm replacing a 5000 dollar system, I would get 2 or 3 estimates.
Steven Lav's learning video. "Don't buy any books on business sense! Watch this video and get 30 years worth of business knowledge in 17 minutes! LOL!!!"
How 'bout, "If you treat me right on this job, I can send a lot more work your way!" I hang up on those guys right away.
Worst type
I hate those people. then they tell there friends you work cheap then everyone sticks u in a box and you cannot get out. gotta have balls to say no
agreed they are full of shit. you tell them right away thats not how it works.
The old dangling the carrot in front of the horse. Half the time they're just checking up on their regular guy
you probably dont give a damn but does anybody know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account..?
I stupidly forgot my login password. I love any tricks you can give me
You are absolutely 1000 percent correct! Never in my life will I work for another real estate person again ever!!! Did I say never ever again yes I meant that! All they do is waste your time! I'm a carpentry contractor. When someone calls me to a job to do an estimate and starts asking me questions, whoa STOP. My reply is simple if you want to hire me to be a consultant I get $150 an hour. With a 1 hour minimum upfront. Now I simply tell him this over the phone.
I agree with you work less make more.
A lot of useful information there. I was stuck on stupid once with real estate agents...but then I got smart and man you hit the nail right on the head with that segment. Thanks Steve. Love the segment at the end with your doughnut lovin doggy. hahahaha that was great.
+Ron Howe i do these videos for the new guys maybe it might help out a few
Steve, I'm with you. I do not drive all over the place providing free estimates. I do everything by time and materials. Anyone providing free estimates has very high rates because someone has to pay for all that driving, tolls, gas, wear and tear, etc. Keep up the good work pal, you are the reason I started making videos on my channel.
I'm not a tradesman. I work on the computer and all that stuff, but this video applies to more than just trades. Thanks Steve you got a lot of lessons to teach
The pandemic was the best thing to ever happen to my industry. People no longer want to do in-person consults. Now people just want to talk on the phone or through Zoom. Saves me so much time, and money!
Steve, great video. This vid applies to any field. I’ve been a dentist for 25 years and it applies to what I do also. I used to work for a guy who would say if you double the fees, and less than half of the patients leave, you win.
Want it done cheap and badly? Go to the new guy down the block. Want it done well, you have to pony up.
I agree 100% Steve. Time is money, fuel is money, liability insurance is money. It cost us money to get licensed, to buy tools and equipment and to stay educated with evolving technology. We have to get paid not only to support ourselves, but to cover all our overhead as well. In a nutshell quality service costs money. If the price is too good to be true, the customer should think twice.
+Fireship1 yea your right i am not into working for free
Thank you very much mr. Steve your videos helped me a lot to save a lot of money in my house
@@stevenlavimoniere thanks you are the best
Yeah mama #1
Hi Steve! Great points.. You are spot on ! I owned an appliance/tv store for years. Major line was General Electric. When ever a realtor came in for a bid of a kitchen full of appliances...they would screw around and take my bid back to a competitor.. All he was doing was screwing both of us dealers. Finally we put together a plan that we would provide a bid on a certain day.. He would provide each dealer with a copy of all the bids provided. Before I would submit I asked if my bid was the lowest,would he make the purchase on the spot. If not,,no bid and he would be at the mercy of the other dealers..( no point in everyone selling for nothing) .He got one shot. If we didn't get it we didn't care. If we were called to service products purchased elsewhere, we charged our extra special published rates, and not the discounted we had for our customers. I understand everyone wants to deal. Dude that ran the local nursing home refused to pay sales tax....Geeeesh...
+Mike Davis bottom line is no one should work for free.people like to work the system.
You are right about the price of doing a job.....it reminds me of the time a fellow called about his beer walk-in and I show up and see its leaking at the hanging evap over top of all that beer, and I see the big receiver tanks outside and tell him (after only 10 minutes on site) the repair would be in the neighborhood of $550. He gasp and I left. Before I got back to the shop he'd already called my boss and gave him hell about the high price. Long story told he called back a week or so later and told the boss he'd just paid $835 to have another company do the job.....LOL I refused any future service opportunity there on principal!
"Barney Sanders".... I freaking love it!
I gave free estimates on repairs of compressors or change-outs. People will want what cost is so they can get idea of parts and get a low ball bids. Never give cost of material over phone,either. Good info on this video.
Someone I went to school with runs his family's plumbing and HVAC company. He had me come look at cleaning up his phone and network cabling, hired me to do the job so I ordered some materials. He confirmed the day before the job, only cancel 8 hours later - because he decided to just do it himself. I can't imagine him being too happy if I hired him to replace my hot water heater and I cancelled, telling him I went to Home Depot and bought my own and installed it.
Steve Lav. Thx again for the advice! Smart man. Tom from Jersey
You a funny rude, dude. I gotta admit I totally enjoy your videos and very informational and educational. I gotta a hand it to you, you know your shit!
My regards to Ms. Molly! Lmao!
My motto double the price work half as much, make the same money and hit them hard u can't go up after the low ball
Been doing this for 40 years, God bless you Steve!
That made me laugh Steve! People don't appreciate what it takes to have the knowledge and ability to make professional repairs. I am with you on the free est... I had a lady last week with an old delta kitchen single handle that would not come apart and I told her it may happen so she showed me a few other items that they wanted done in the future and acted like she would pay me for this call when I came back. What am I a flippen idiot I got my 85$ and left I hope they don't call back. It's not my fault that handle would come off I pulled like hell and tried every trick in the book! You can tell the type that want you to break something so they think the repair should be free! Has that ever happened to you? Sorry for the long comment had to share...
+Kemon Papadimitriou best not to work for cheap people
If you're pulling and straining to get a faucet apart just to change an o-ring, gasket, etc... And the person wouldn't even entertain just buying a new faucet, that tells you right there where they're coming from. You did the right thing. They could have put that $85 towards you doing a faucet replacement, but now they're out the money for your base rate and still at square one. Their cheapness bites em in the end...
Great seeing your face, lol. I've been watching your videos for a while now. I love your attitude on taking care of older people and not gouging them for repairs. I'm putting in a furnace and condenser, and your videos help alot, lol. Keep on brother, you make a lot of people happy!
Great advice Steve...I'm pricing up a combination boiler swap tmoro..Its local to me and gentleman has agreed to £20 call out fee to discuss....First time ive been paid for estimate...Cheers you're a HVAC legend
+jimbob jimbob good deal
New a guy who did sod laying on the side. He is a fireman for the city regularly. He had a prospect that told him he was way too expensive. He said " well that's the cost. Good luck on your project" the prospect said that he was going to do the job but he had to bring his price down. At that point he should've walked away. He ended up doing the job. If it was me , I would have walked away to the next one. Don't forget, this was a side job. He worked full time for the fire dept
It used to bother me bad when I gave a quote on a job and never heard back. I would always wonder if I bid too high. Now I don’t worry. At age 54 , I would much rather not do a job than to do it too low and work my tail off for nothing. So now I bid it fair and let them decide. If they turn it down then I feel I just dodged a bullet. I ain’t working for free.
when I was a electrician always had the estimate calls, and pricing issues, I used to give a price and tell them if you don't take it now it will be twice as much when you call back.I fix restaurant equipment and have 20 locations that provide all the work I can do, so I don't take calls except from the store managers.
no estimates, no free anything, $50 gas charge, no advice, no nothing i'm in business to make $$$ hit the road Jack!!!
Steve it goes both ways. I had some jamoke quote me $2600 to cut out about 10' of cast iron drain in a basement and replace with $100 worth of pvc. I hung up on that crook. I later found out that same guy charges $350 for a thermocouple.
People ask me for estimates on repairs, I never understood it, Doctors don't give free estimates for surgeries , mechanics wont rip out a motor to find whats wrong to then put it back in and not get paid. For any job that requires troubleshooting we get paid , thats what we do to make a living. I hate when customers say "I could of done that" , I always ask "then why didn't you"?.
Hi Steve. I found you by accident and i love your videos . Im trying to watch every video you make. Youre the greatest.
The trades contractors are the worlds best mechanics and the worlds worst business men. These practices will never end with free estimates till doomsday. You nailed it one thousand percent.
Love that story of the young bull and the old bull.
How about charging for the estimate, which definitely requires your time and skill, but then discounting it if the customer hires you for the job (assuming it's big enough, like a new system install)...?
i luv those people that tell you they are getting 5-6 estimates and they want people to show up between 2-6pm... sure i’ll jump right on tht
I'm 45 years in full time in a related trade. Free estimates always seem to turn into free troubleshooting. Then the guy gets his next-door neighbors cousins brother to do it cheap. Worse yet when the hack screws screws the job up, they will say you troubleshot the job wrong and badmouth you.
I know some people that call 4 different companys and just pick the cheapest one........insane
Feel the Bern. Lmao. You had me laughing in that one Steve. Thanks. I needed that
good morning, thank you for sharing all your knowledge,i watch your videos while walking on my treadmill..i had no idea you were so close by, till i saw you driving down rt 6 in mass..i worked for bennys for 50 years and traveled down some of the same streets..love watching you and miss molly..keep the videos coming, joe
That was on the Sopranos lol about the bulls! Love the vids man!
What about the guy that wants you to bid the job so he knows how much he should give his friend to do the work. When I go to a job and see a bunch of half finished repair, run the other way. Their is a reason the last guy did not finish
"Do not work for free" - I agree 100%.
When I receive a phone call request for an estimate (free or not), I do check if it is my existing customer. If not I just say - there is no estimation for service and repaire.
You will be lucky to find someone that is willing to come fast and is capable to help.
You want to do renovations? - call a renovation lackey - a non licensed idiot that will give a lowest estimate and then rip you off.
This was hilarious 🤣 great channel buddy
Quality work isn't free. Nor is expert experience. People have no idea what it costs to put a good mechanic in a vehicle , pay his insurance , stock parts, pay for fuel, business licenses, permits etc
I actually do this as a customer in the reverse. If they offer really low estimate or ask what the competition offer, I know chances are they are going to cut corners.
There is a saying in Spanish: "Cheap price turn out expensive."
However, I do look up general price estimates for jobs to get an idea if they are super over-changing.
he said guys from India lmaoooo. Steve's working again mama, hes at it again mama. YOU THE MAN BRO
I like to hear you. You are straight up and don't play.
I'm always amazed how people value their time. Usually they way under-value. Guess it depends on the person. Anyway, been following you a long time but never heard you talk about how you take time off, whether a weekend or vacation. How do you determine or plan your days off? Maybe a topic for your next vlog.
We don't work for free !!!! You are right. But even when you have the agreement how much will cost for your job, they don't want to pay or they just don't have the enough money to pay . I hate those customers. And when you try to contact them asking for your money, They don't answer the phone or if they answer they get piss lol.
you have me rolling on the floor! "We're gonna negotiate the price when we're done..." Keep up the great videos!! Awesome advice!!! Next level mama!
My friend keeps thinking to give estimates on his home services.. I tell him to ask for sale up front and close them.. Or the next salesperson WILL close them.. It falls on deaf ears... Its not like i sold over 2million a year in home kitchens or any thing.(10% plus) or worked for remodeler of the year.. Got training every week seminars, cds reading material etc.. But what do i know.. Al I know is I'm retired and he never will be.(told me so work till I die). It was a no job.. If you cant take a no do something else.. But never ever not ask for the sale.. And not just once.. Different animal steve my average was 4k a sale commission..
This is the funniest Steve Lab video, I have watched it a dozen times over the past year. If I could call a professional like you and consult you for your hourly wage I would jump all over that.
Steve, Been running my own business for the last 15-years. You are 100% RIGHT! BUT You did miss one thing however, stay the HELL away from insurance jobs/claims! I will never ever give an insurance estimate! NEVER! Waste of gas, time, paper, ink and miles on my brand new truck! I turn them down all the time. One customer said.... I still would like an estimate. How much $$$? I told her to call Jim's home repair on craigslist! Not interested! lol
Thats true.. Insurance peeps are slow, or NO pay ankle biters.. Am not owed any $ money, by ANYONE !!!
your my favorite to watch man, your not dull i like your humor you make it a show not just a tutorial
Giving free estimates suck!!! trying to get more and more away from it. Your right your chasing a dollar that ten other guys are chasing.
Like you said nobody coming to my house for free.
Love watching your videos!!!!
Like you said you can feel when you talk to a customer if you are going to have a problem with them! Always want 50 precent down on big jobs like installations! That is when you find out if the customer is worth dealing with!
oh you've done work for the India guys to. them and the orentals are some kind of special. I guess that is how they work in other parts of the world. great video buddy.
+Mike Pagel i try not to work for people from india . had to many bad experiences with them not paying the agreed amount
+steven lavimoniere agreed.
Mike Pagel I worked with an older electrician (owner) who won the work bid on a new gas station close to a freeway. Completed 90% of the work and was told to leave by the gas station owners. Never paid him. They were them...
you are right its case by case. i tell them if i have to pull out a tool, crawl or go in an attic i charge and exploration charge. you are right you have to feel them out on the phone. i had a neighbor just walk up to my home, his water heater thermostat was failing. when i walked in his garage to look at it he said to me, " If i called my regular plumber her would charge me an arm and a leg" I said, oh i cant charge you full price. This piece of shit. Asked me if i wanted the job i said no.
Elizabeth Warren says, just like Bernie Sanders, you should do everything for free....and send the bill to the government and she will make sure you get your payment...
I work for a company and we give free estimates for change outs. I think this is totally right. Of course we don't give free estimates for a bad capacitor or something small like that. If your AC is not working we charge you a service fee, and when we find out what's wrong we give you the price to get the system running again.
Steve, being in business for many years you forgot how you started your business. It was not like that, I am sure. You have many customers now, people in your area know you. If your business model is working for you - that's great, but don't make everyone else think this business model will work for them too. I totally agree that people in the trade are not supposed to work for free - there is no question about that. But when you run a company with 5-10-20 or more employees business looks different. Also new business owners are competing with unlicensed contractors - they move the price so low.
+FIX IT HVAC all i mean is try not to work for free thats the bottom line i was trying to get across
I totally agree on that :)
Based on your youtube videos, I think you price repairs very reasonably. The plumbers in the Washington, DC area charge about $125/hour plus a charge to pull up to the curb.
That is some kind of good advice, if they don't complain about your price your not charging enough my friends!!
+R. Mitotes _ good point
Work less make more love it
Steven I agree with you. Amen!! Dogs don’t like donuts they LOVE them. Lol
Love the jed clampett stuff 😁😆🤣🤣
MAN! You are hilarious! That is real talk!
+J Woolard II thanks for watching
joe the plumber got nothing on this guy. this is the everyman. im a tradesman too and this guy speaks gold that every greenhorn needs to hear.
I agree 100%. When I started HVAC business first year it happened to me which I don't regret because I started and made the most of my client that way but also got tired and drained. Then later became experienced as servicer, installer and negotiator you realize you don't want to work for the money let the money work for you.
Agreed. estimates take more time than you mentioned ... some need a complete heat loss gain calculation....pricing equipment . plus you have write it all down and explain what is covered etc. Like ya said they go with the cheapest and some companies pay the rebate up front with nothing due for a year . just a gimmick .....Not much money doing installs anyway unless you do many.. You are safe no installers have your credentials knowledge or experience . You don't need it....
+Brian Ellsworth good point
I have been there and done that for over 40 years. The property management companies are the worst and I used to put liens on their properties and stopped doing them. People want freebies but like you said, they sure as hell don't work for free so why should we. The Rag heads are the worst. We talk about price when you get here one said to me when I had my septic pumping business lol. And most want you to tell them how to do it so they can try to do it and save a buck and you drive home empty handed and burn gas up, NOT GONNA HAPPEN. My friend has a Plumbing business and he makes over $100.00 per hr and actually turns work away because he is so damn busy he can not keep up. He doesn't advertise and has more business than he can keep up with. They call him and when he gets there he charges what ever he want's and gets paid and moves on but he bills a lot of his work. His dad was a master plumber and we both learned a lot from him but he passed away last December.
I agree. I no longer work for 👳♂️ because all they want to do is argue with you about price.
Just here to see molly.
True words of wisdom! 100% right on Steve!
thanks you
I totally agree with you I do the same way I usually ask them to send me pictures of the work he needs done and a list I kind of tell them the price of one installation as a test to see how their reaction is on the price of that particular if he starts having and puffing on that particular installation I tell them you need to get someone else I’m not your guy for you sorry cut this conversation short but I have to go now and it’s done and saved myself a hustle and somebody that’s going to nickel and dime me I can’t stand those kind of people
That's right Steve. I found that out a long time ago and stopped. Give a ballpark price that's good for 30 days 👍
Lmfao I feel the guy on the phone u know right away if it’s good or bad don’t waist your time Steve is right 👍👍👍
Amen to that brother. I call those dead legs. “Run around momma”
Steve should have a comedy show LOL. He cracks me up every time.
Great advice from a Pro, I never work for realtors as well. You never get the job. Feel them out on the phone, sticker shock is what I call it.
Steve. If I needed an estimate for remodeling my bathroom I would pay you 2 thousand just to give me an estimate. You do good work. And good work don’t come cheap! Keep the videos coming!
I made the mistake of having to use a professional plumber on my son's FHA house. High price for less than average work. Have had to redo and replace several things.
I like talks about the business side of the HVAC industry. Thanks😎
+HVAC/R JUNKY thanks
Many year ago this gal and her husband wanted me to replace a hot water tank in their small trailer , this was probably in 1998. I asked them a few questions and at the time here in Washington state a going fee for a tank installation was 400 to 500 dollars, they asked me if I could barter with them, what's the barter I asked and they said 10 cases of beer and some undetermined amount of marijuana, can you believe that, I said the job was 500 dollars plus parts and for a straightforward replacement, and space construction was more. They though I was flippin mad, we parted ways never to talk again.
My side hustle is a computer repair business. I live in a rural area and I'm pretty much the only one around for 50 miles that do what I do. $60 minimum for estimates. I really don't need the work but if they are willing to pay, I'm there.
you get what you pay for ... and most likely when home owners go low ball offer it ends up costing more because now you have to pay someone else to come fix it because low baller took their money and ain't going back ... love the honesty Steve
+dennis postek it was a good chat
The average gross profit margin in the hvac industry is 2 to 3 percent. That's why there is so much sub par work everywhere. Most business owners have no formal business training. Gotta work the jobs up to a standard not down to a price! I know how much a job costs every time.....when I'm done with it! The definition of estimate is worse case scenario based on my experience.....or I will ballpark it & cost it out so everyone wins. Sure you want an estimate?
+Jeremy Calvin bottom line is don't work for free
You're right! I only adjust work only dependant on the exact situation. There are rare times that family or friends can't afford the whole issue, I do allow some leeway. Unless you have a show up fee ( no matter how you name it), it's still time. When I'm on the clock, it costs money.
I sometimes might make an exception for a real financial case. I usually try to fit the bid into the job, in that case. If you go for the signed bid, I forgive the assessment fee.
I have even done jobs for free labor, just parts cost. I only do that in extreme cases and family
My dad said that if you give something for free, you expect it free every time.
I don’t work for free. My time is worth something, I don’t have an issue with helping someone out but there is a limit .
The name is tucker not sucker !
Realtors make there % just to sell. Everyone is always looking for deals, I ask everyone do you work for free? Cause I don't. I had a customer ask for a quote on new steam boiler I told him my price and he said I'm too high, I told him my price is to do it right. He went cheap and had problems all winter and quess what? He called me when it was giving him problems cause the installer didn't return his calls. I said no thanks
+Joe katynski i do the same
I had an ex gf that was / is a narcissistic borderline realtor. She thinks her shit don't stink. I should have worn 'Steve gloves' around that harem keeper.
You are a true reflection of your father. I can tell that he was a good man.
With todays technology, facetime, you really dont need to be on site.
Exactly. I give most estimates for free through a video call. I only charge if I need to drive out there.
Love Steve's brutal honesty. And yes, good customers WILL pay top dollar to techs they trust.
I guess if you're doing all small repairs and are in high demand, maybe it's not worth it to do estimates. Only do the work you feel comfortable doing. However if you want the bigger jobs you need to make an appearance and submit a formal bid. If you're tired of small 1-hour jobs and want bigger, longer jobs that keep you busy and are more profitable, then free estimates are the only way to do it and the quickest way to chase off a potential customer is to tell them you charge for estimates or will bill them an unknown number at the end of the job if they hire you open-ended. I realize region and different trades play a role in why you may not want to give free estimates, especially if customers ask you to drive over an hour in each direction for a job you don't think you'll get and you would rather cruise around town collecting service calls instead, but if you want the big jobs you have to put in the customer service. Look the part, act the part, be personable and be polite, know your limits but don't show it, smile and be clean, know your trade and how long it will take you and how much material, make sure you leave room for surprises, don't rip them off but don't sell yourself short, and get back to them ASAP with a formal bid. You might be surprised how often customers only get one or two bids and just want it done.
No kidding, nobody is blindly going to write a blank check for a furnace to heat pump conversion of $20k without having an estimate. For a small repair I agree it's ridiculous, but for major projects you definitely will not get the job without a proper bid. There is also a ton more profit on a major project vs replacing someones faucet.
This all very much makes sense. I never gave " free estimates". After people on welfare decided they cant pay me. I now charge a minimum up front before i touch anything. I hate and usually decine work for someone on welfare. I always tell them. Minimum up front or no service. Theres always someone thinking i will find the problem all for free and give them a quote.
"Wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wah" That is so funny. LOL
I totally agree with the customers paying me to go to them. My clients expect me to provide a service to them & if they want me to show up they better plan on paying me for my time. I don’t do HVAC anymore but the same principle applies to what I do.
I’ve also heard the story about the old bull & young bull, in fact I’ve told that story to a lot of others too.
G'day Steven, aye ya goin? That's Aussie slang for 'how are you going? I just love watching your American movies. Great hilarious video with a lot of humour, impersonations and your 'wisecracks'. For the fun of it, why not put in an application to work part time as an actor in the film industry? Not only do you look like Al Capone, you talk like him with that deep accent. You never know, you might get the part. Do a few auditions. With a bit of practice in front of your mirror, I bet you would act much better than Robert De Niro did in The Untouchables.
Don't be stuck on stupid. Too funny! I agree Steve.
Wonder how he handles customer payment. Cash only and no checks? Also curious how he doesn't get burned by people not paying. Time and material can only be charged after the job is done I would imagine.
I've heard to avoid contractors offering free estimates because chances are you're getting a salesman, not a technician. As a result you'll "need" a new furnace or water heater or something.
Wow, great vid, I've been working for myself for 23 years and while I do pretty good, it's time to start doing less for free! Thanks man
Man " Steve you treat your customer like royalty.
Steve you're hallarious! That was great stuff!! I'm a plumber in Brockton I emailed you too. I have hundreds of stories myself about customers. We got to hook up. Check your email had a question I needed an answer. How about this one. "i got a lot of work for you but you have to give me a really good price!" LOL