Episode 34 - Service Electrician Pricing - Why & How to STOP Ballpark Pricing Over the Phone

Have you ever found yourself in a position where the client is over the phone wondering about the cost of your electrician services, and you're just feeling pretty overwhelmed? Oftentimes, the fear of being unable to provide an estimate for your client can lead you to provide ballpark pricing (A mistake most local electricians do)

We tend to think the client will most likely go for other electrical contractors if we don't estimate immediately. However, ballpark pricing over the phone can have a negative impact on your business. You might think you're just giving out a rough estimate, but the client may assume that this is your final offer. 

There are many reasons why ballpark pricing shouldn't be part of your sales strategy. For starters, you don't have any real data to back up your pricing, you might miscalculate the cost of a job, and you can't accurately measure the value you are delivering. 

Secondly, it creates an uncomfortable situation for both parties; clients might be intimidated by your guess and feel like they need to negotiate down from there. Finally, if your ballpark pricing is significantly lower than what your final quote ends up being, it reflects badly on your electrical business and could put a strain on the relationship. 

The best way to deal with this is to first thank the client for reaching out, and make them feel that you do understand why they're asking for the pricing. Then, politely let them understand that you need time to evaluate the project and provide an accurate quote. 

You need to point out why this will benefit the client (they'll get a specific, tailored quote based on their exact needs). Explain that this will save them time in the long run, as they won't have to go back and forth with multiple contractors trying to find the right fit.

By following this approach, you can keep your relationship with the client strong while also taking time to put together a detailed quote. It's important to be transparent and clear about why you need the additional time and how it will benefit them in the long run.