Pricing Inquiry Response Scripts for Handymen
When you are balanced on a ladder or deep in a crawlspace, answering pricing questions is a struggle. These scripts help you give professional, realistic quotes without under-selling your skills or losing the lead to a faster responder.
The Standard 'How Much?' Inquiry
Use this when a caller asks for a price on a common, small repair like a leaky faucet or a broken cabinet hinge.
Thanks for reaching out! For general repairs like that, I typically work on an hourly rate of $125 with a two-hour minimum. That minimum covers my travel and setup time, and if the fix is quick, I can use the extra time to tackle other items on your to-do list. Does that hourly rate fit within what you were looking to spend?
Tips for this scenario
- -Always mention the service minimum first to avoid losing money on small trips.
- -Offer to fill the remaining time with other small fixes to increase the value for the customer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pro Tips
- 1.Always ask 'Is there anything else on your list?' to turn a $150 job into a $400 day.
- 2.Use SkipCalls to book your small repair jobs while you are busy on a ladder so you never miss a lead.
- 3.Charge a 'Truck Stock' fee of $15-20 for small things like screws, glue, and caulking so you don't lose money on hardware store runs.
- 4.Send a 'heads up' text when you are 20 minutes away to ensure the customer is ready and the work area is clear.
- 5.Keep a list of your common flat-rate jobs (like TV mounting) on your phone's notepad for instant quoting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I give a firm price over the phone?
Rarely. It is better to give a 'typical range' and tell the customer that the final price depends on what you find once you open the wall or see the project in person.
How do I handle customers who want a free estimate for a 1-hour job?
Explain that for small repairs, you provide an hourly rate plus a minimum. Tell them a free estimate would cost more in gas and time than the actual repair itself.
What if the customer wants to buy their own materials?
That is fine, but tell them you cannot warranty the materials and your hourly clock starts the moment you have to leave the site because they bought the wrong part.
How do I compete with 'the guy from the grocery store' who is half my price?
You don't. Explain that your price reflects your insurance, professional tools, and the fact that you will actually show up and finish the job.
Stop losing handyman jobs because your hands are full.
SkipCalls is the AI receptionist that answers your phone, gives basic pricing info, and books your repairs while you are focused on the job site. Never miss another referral because you were using a power tool.
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