Many contractors consider estimating and
pricing to be the same thing, yet the two are
entirely different. A job's price should be
shaped not just by the estimated cost, but
by your assessment of
the customer, the market,
and most important,
by your own need to
make a reasonable profit.
Until you recognize these
differences and master
the "art" of smart, profitdriven
pricing, you will
not be able to make
money consistently.
Unfortunately, few
contractors understand
the several different pricing strategies available.
Big corporations have full-time employees
who figure out what price a widget must
carry to increase market share, generate the
largest net profit, and beat the competition.
This is not always the lowest price, and the
cost of producing the widget