Now only when you find yourself booked about a month ahead, do you increase the prices you bid on jobs beyond that. Increase your charges by at least 25% each month as you book further in advance until after 6 months or a year has passed your are able to charge double what the lowest bidder get. Now in most cases the jobs take about twice as long, you think, and the finish you are now using cost a lot more than the local stuff you were using. So where are the profits?
As of this writing you should be able to charge about $3 per square foot for most basic hardwood installations, and between 2-4 dollars per foot to sand and finish, depending on the complexity of the finish. That’s what I get, and I am typically booked 2-4 months in advance. But I’ll tell you now, I really work hard for this extra money. I have no call backs or complaints from my jobs and I have extra time between jobs, because I spend more time on these larger jobs. I do less traveling between jobs, and do fewer quotes. The quotes I do give out, believe me, are competitive and I am well in the running for these jobs. All in all I am more relaxed and can focus on the job at hand. This focus translates to better work and better money. And a lot less wear and tear on me, and my machines.
No one will remember, years from now, just what they paid for a really beautiful hardwood floor, and they will enjoy the look of it every day. If you were warm and personable with them, they may even remember you. That’s the very best reference. But on the other hand they will never forget the hack whose job they must see under their feet each day. Bad news travels fast and far and there is no stopping it.
Well the truth is that you have just begun. Because now you have to maintain what you have started. Every call that comes to you must be answered promptly, and you must communicate in simple and well understood language just why and how you create these beautiful floors. Not fast floors, not a cheap floor, but a durable and beautiful floor. By now you have many past customers with the gorgeous wood floors, and so happy they chose you because of quality and price. Use them as references. Always volunteer at least 3 references when you do a quote. And hopefully from the same area. This way, they can go see your job. They will be so confident in you abilities, that even your higher prices will be no longer a deterrent.