Increasing work?

[stourbridgear]

Hi,

I wonder if I could glean some info from you experienced guys?
I have been a sole trader now for a while, and I would like to increase my workload. How many calls are you guys experiencing per week, and out of those calls how many are you converting to completed paid jobs? Do you advertise, if so where and how much does it take to make it worthwhile? Do you branch out and do other things than appliance repairs? How do you make this pay as a self-employed person? I charge a flat fee of £49.50 labour, is this too much. too little? I don’t charge a call out fee, i.e diagnosis is free.

Basically I’d like to know how it is possible to have a minimum of 2+ jobs per day on average?

I do thank you in advance, this forum and website has been a great place to come for advice over the years, so cheers.

John.

[Andy jones]

Re: Increasing work?

Hi John
On average I tend to do 8-10 a day. Obviously there are quieter times during the summer months but then I do all the student pat testing. Have you tried dropping you’re details into local letting agents etc. £49.50 sounds very competitive tbf. I’m lucky enough that I do very little advertising anymore apart from a small add in yellow pages

[Martin]

Re: Increasing work?

It depends so very much on your location and how many competitors you have in that area for starters. Advertising is paramount in any business and the Internet is king. If you don’t get out there and tell them you’re around then no-one’s going to call you. 50 quid a call is going to put a lot of people off for sure. Most new customers expect something for nothing so take care not to price yourself out. Do a good job quickly and at a fair price will guarantee a happy customer, one that will keep you in the frame and will recommend you to others.

[lee8]

Re: Increasing work?

Strange questions ?

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[Andy jones]

Re: Increasing work?

lee8 wrote:Strange questions ?

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Strange ?? Why

[deltra]

Re: Increasing work?

Local church magazines tend to be cheap to advertise in,and I get a good response from 2 or 3 local ones. Leave some business cards in your local shop, petrol station etc, free diagnosis will be popular! But it’s still your time and petrol!!

[stourbridgear]

Re: Increasing work?

Thanks fellas, all good stuff – 8 to 10 jobs per day sounds very nice!

I am grateful for your answers, and appreciate any more from others. Hope I can return the favour to some of you one day.

Cheers,

John.

[johnnyj]

Re: Increasing work?

£49.50 around here you wouldnt even get 1 or 2 calls a day full of freeloaders wanting something for nothing. I could only dream of being able to charge £50.

[twicknix]

Re: Increasing work?

Local advertisers are good especially the monthly ones that goes through the door. Stay put for few years and then you get referrals from previous customers. It’s slow burn then once you are known to many people it’ll take off.

People will always wants free call out so you need to decide the area if it’s right for you.

Between Easter and Summer holidays are the quietest.

[boselecta]

Re: Increasing work?

£49.50 is cheap around my way, why not just round it up to £50?

[Author]

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