Hourly rate vs flat rate

[1523.]

Hi everyone so I run a gardening and grounds maintenance business and all my jobs are fixed rates.When a new customer asks if I charge a hourly rate I say no I only charge a fixed rate they don't reply or want to know.How can I push past this and leave the door open for negotiation I think they are worried or nervous because of how much it "might cost".

 

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[Bounce Back]

"Hey that's a great question - do you mind if I ask you something first?"..."Is there a reason you prefer to pay for gardening hourly?"

If via email you can try to move it to an in person quote or call (more memorable/another touch point) before answer. Something like "Mind if we hop on a quick call so I can hear what you are thinking about having done?" then go to the above lines.

See where it goes from there. Perhaps consider having minimums if done hourly and a "cheeky" response (as you Brits would say) if the conversational vibe is right "Well I don't do hourly because I work so fast!". Lots of room to play around and see what works best here rather than just let them go.

 

[Stargazer]

How are the potential customers coming to you?

I have never asked anyone what their hourly rate is. Most people would simply ask 'How much?' as in how much to do the job.

Do you have a simple web page that you can point people to and filter them out?

eg 3 pictures of gardens you already do. A typical smallish one, a typical medium sized one and typical largish one. And then have a rough range under each but under the large one have bespoke call me. Most people with large gardens would understand that.

Dan

 

[1523.]

How are the potential customers coming to you?

I have never asked anyone what their hourly rate is. Most people would simply ask 'How much?' as in how much to do the job.

Do you have a simple web page that you can point people to and filter them out?

eg 3 pictures of gardens you already do. A typical smallish one, a typical medium sized one and typical largish one. And then have a rough range under each but under the large one have bespoke call me. Most people with large gardens would understand that.

Dan

Hi so the customers are coming frue a social media website I only have a Facebook page where I have 350+ of customers properties before and after pictures.

 

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[Kevin88660]

Hi everyone so I run a gardening and grounds maintenance business and all my jobs are fixed rates.When a new customer asks if I charge a hourly rate I say no I only charge a fixed rate they don't reply or want to know.How can I push past this and leave the door open for negotiation I think they are worried or nervous because of how much it "might cost".

Follow the industry norm.

 

[1523.]

If I followed the industry norm I would not progress.