MR Mnisi

**mnisi3538@gmail.com** · 14-Jan-23, 10:27 PM

I'm wrong if I charge a client travelling cost to do a quote on site?

**Dave A** · 15-Jan-23, 10:13 AM

Put simply, it is required by the Consumer Protection Act that you provide a price/quotation/rate and the client needs to accept that quotation before you may raise any charge for services rendered.

So in your situation, if you informed the client that you would charge a travelling cost to go to the site to provide a quote, and they accepted that, you may charge the fee. However, the onus is on you to prove that you provided the quote (for the traveling cost) and the client accepted.

**mnisi3538@gmail.com** · 15-Jan-23, 11:47 AM

Thanks Dave

**Derlyn** · 15-Jan-23, 04:32 PM

It seems as if you are quite new at the game, MR Mnisi.

A tip.
If charging for a quote is gonna prevent you from quoting, then don't charge for quoting. Rather just add what you would have charged into the price for doing the job.

Another thing. ..... Don't quote for labour. On your quote rather refer to labour as services. Ever since I started doing that years ago, my strike rate as far as quote acceptance is concerned, has shot up.

Remember, you are not a labourer so do not charge for labour. You are a professional, so charge for your services.

Question: If you make use of a doctor or lawyer or architect or any professional for that matter, do they charge a consultancy fee and for their services or do they charge for their labour ?

I am no different. It works for me.

**Andrew_van_Zyl** · 15-Jan-23, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Derlyn

It seems as if you are quite new at the game, MR Mnisi.

A tip.
If charging for a quote is gonna prevent you from quoting, then don't charge for quoting. Rather just add what you would have charged into the price for doing the job.

Another thing. ..... Don't quote for labour. On your quote rather refer to labour as services. Ever since I started doing that years ago, my strike rate as far as quote acceptance is concerned, has shot up.

Remember, you are not a labourer so do not charge for labour. You are a professional, so charge for your services.

Question: If you make use of a doctor or lawyer or architect or any professional for that matter, do they charge a consultancy fee and for their services or do they charge for their labour ?

I am no different. It works for me.

I so agree with this. I write "Professional services"

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**mnisi3538@gmail.com** · 15-Jan-23, 05:07 PM

Noted

**mnisi3538@gmail.com** · 15-Jan-23, 05:17 PM

Hi Derlyn, I understand but the challenge is, you go and quote and they don't accept your quote now you have already carried the transport costs.

**Derlyn** · 15-Jan-23, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by mnisi3538@gmail.com

Hi Derlyn, I understand but the challenge is, you go and quote and they don't accept your quote now you have already carried the transport costs.

All in the game. Win some, lose some. Trick is to win as many as possible.

**Derlyn** · 15-Jan-23, 05:56 PM

Another little tip on how to up your success rate when quoting.

People love getting something for free, so offer them something for free.

Remember by law you have to issue a coc for work done. On your quote, offer it for free. If your work is of a high standard and according to regs and specs, all the coc costs you is a couple of rands for the paper. This coc free trick has won me many jobs even although my quote wasn't the cheapest.

Most domestic clients are not even aware that a coc must be issued for any electrical work done, so they think they are getting something extra for free.

Try it. Believe me, it works.