Boatyard/Boater Contract

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by knothead

Exactly. Sorry, again I didn't make myself very clear.
When I use my own wire, (which is on a spool), I normally charge a flat fee for swaging. I don't charge an hourly rate.

In the case I was referring to, the customer arrived with a 200 foot coil of 3/8" 1x19 and wanted me to make one upper shroud. If you have ever dealt with a 2 or 3 foot diameter coil of 3/8" 1x19 wire, 200 feet long, You will understand why it took almost 3/4 of an hour.

You're right knothead, I haven't worked with your material, so I don't understand the particular problems associated with it...that is learned from 'experience'.

Originally Posted by knothead

While I don't charge any more than any of my competitors for materials, and actually less than some, I do make a profit on the materials that I sell.
I suppose it the same for plumbers or electricians. They would buy their materials wholesale and then resell for a reasonable profit.

Customers should be sensitive to the fact that small businesses rely on the income from sales at least as much as the income from labor.

We work materials the same as you do, but you might be surprised at how little we actually make off materials...it really depends on how busy we are. If business is booming, we charge good for materials. If busniess is down, then we may pass our savings right to the customer just to get the job. We want the labor more than the materials.

Originally Posted by knothead

And thank you SD. I don't think that the average person understands how much one opens themselves up for blame when they work for someone else. Whether it just bad-mouthing, reports to the BBB or actual lawsuits, it's not easy. In 12 years, I doubt that Jesus wouldn't have p!$$ed a few people off.

I think I am starting to sound like a whiner. Not really where I wanted to go with this thread.

The people that open themselves up for law suits, are the ones that don't do the jobs they were hired to do. I'm know several people that have been sued for various reasons on a job, but it always got done to not doing what they were hired to do. They either did not write up the contract correctly, did not specify correctly what they were going to do, did not do the actual work right, tried to charge more than the contract without change orders, etc...

I've never been sued (knock on wood), but it's because I know what I'm doing, detail orientated, and I'm careful.

...and you're not whinning.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by JiffyLube

I've never been sued (knock on wood), but it's because I know what I'm doing, detail orientated, and I'm careful.

Just for the record. I've never been sued or been reported to the BBB. And from what I hear have a pretty good reputation.
But in the past 12 plus years there are a few, (could count them on one hand), customers (and maybe an associate or two) that wouldn't give me a very good reference.

Originally Posted by JiffyLube

...and you're not whinning.

Thanks, I don't want to come off like an apologist for businesses. My goal was to try to utilize the power of this group of sailors to improve the way people perceive the marine service industry and to make their experiences more positive.

[JiffyLube]

Originally Posted by knothead

I've spent many hours wondering about this. As one's skills increase and they learn tricks of the trade and shortcuts they accomplish more, accomplish it better and in a shorter period of time. Should they institute a flat fee for the job or increase their hourly rate as the years pass?
I've done the latter.

I think that many people have trouble figuring this out, as I know I did a long time ago. In the beginning we make what we make based on what others are paid doing the same level of work, which is generally apprentice wages. Over time we get better and faster at what we do, and generally start making journeymen wages. All we know at this point in time is what an employer will pay (which could be less than what we're really worth), not what we could make if we go on our own. When we decide to go on our own, it generally means that we think that we are good at what we do, we have something people want, and people will pay us well for our talents...if our talents are in demand. Figuring out what we're worth can be a tough thing though. We might be afraid in asking for to much, because we're not sure how good we actually are...not how good we think we are. If we are as good as we think we are (and we are!), people will want what we do (and they will!), and they will pay for really good work (and they will!), then we should feel confident in asking for more than our competition...within reason.

I have contractor friends doing the same type of work as I do, that are always cheaper than I am...but that doesn't bother me. Yes, they work more than I do, but they charge less than I do. I work less than they do, but I charge more than they do. If I have a choice between working a lot, but not making a lot per job, over working less, but making a lot per job, I'll take the latter. Another thing that enters into the picture is, how bad do I need the money. Fortunately for me, over the years I have been able to position myself better in the market, and I don't need the money as much as some of my friends...this helps a lot!