If you're booked out weeks ahead, winning almost every quote, or your costs have gone up, your prices are probably too low. Raising them carefully usually costs you fewer customers than you fear, and the ones you lose are often the most price-sensitive.
Signs it's time
- You win nearly every quote.
- You're booked out for weeks.
- Your material, fuel and insurance costs have risen.
- You haven't raised prices in over a year.
How to do it
- Work out your real costs and the hourly rate you need to earn.
- Raise new quotes first. New customers don't know your old prices.
- Give regular customers notice, a month or so, with a short honest reason.
- Raise in steps rather than one big jump.
- Add value where you can: faster booking, better communication, a guarantee.
Example message
"Hi Linda, a quick heads-up that from 1 December our standard service rate is going up slightly to cover rising costs. Your next service will be $X. Thanks for sticking with us."
Back it up online
Strong reviews, a professional website and clear explanations of your process make higher prices easier to accept. See showing prices online.
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