service fee

[Dave A]

How would/could price-control legislation affect charge-out rates?

It is my experience that any form of price control at any stage through the value add chain reduces productivity and effectiveness, with all the knock-on consequences of that. It also increases customer price sensitivity because there is too much focus on displayed price in the industry and not enough focus on value for money and value propositions.

my next to goal is to come up with a bussiness plan and sit and decide where i want to be in the next 5 years....

There's a long weekend ahead - set a goal to have something on paper by Monday night

It doesn't have to be fancy or complicated - just some thoughts commited to paper.

[murdock]

Are those rates better ?

they are bcause i only charge time and a half instead of double time...but then i make it up on the speed that i work...because i would sit and chat to the customer while his wife brings coffee bicuits etc and him thinking he is getting a good deal dosent even realise how he is getting screwed with a smile.

[SilverNodashi]

This is a tough subject, especially for start-up's and slammer companies (generally one-man-band type companies) We make a clear point of our costs, upfront before doing any work for a client. And most of the times we even require a 50% deposit, depending on the nature of the work to be done.

But, to accommodate smaller clients I have decided that the first hour's labor is included in the callout fee, within a 10KM radius from our office. This brings in less money, per job, but more clients so it does pay off

[desA]

^ That is smart. Give a little more, get a lot more.