skylerp31•1mo agoProlific Poster

Finally got a handle on my project quotes after losing money on three jobs in a row

I was always lowballing my quotes to get the work, then getting killed on material costs. Last month, I started adding a flat 15% buffer on top of my material list for every single job, no matter how small. The first quote I sent with that new rule was for a roof repair in Everett, and I still got the job. That extra $287 covered the plywood sheets I didn't know I'd need. It feels dumb it took me this long to figure out something so simple. How do you guys build your safety net into a price without scaring off the client?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_nina1mo ago

Ever consider charging a separate project fee instead of baking it into materials? Clients see a clear line item for "unforeseen issues" and it frames the buffer as professional planning, not a hidden markup.

alicecooper1mo ago

Actually tried that method for a while. Found it just opens the door for clients to question that specific fee. They start trying to negotiate the "planning" cost down. Baking it into materials keeps the focus on the total price, not the breakdown. A clear line item sounds good in theory, but it creates a target. Simpler to have one number that covers the work, surprises and all.

max_ross18d ago

Hey hold on, you're not really building a safety net with a flat 15% buffer though, are you? A flat percentage is just an average guess, and some jobs will still eat way more than that while others you're overcharging for no reason. The real trick is getting better at spotting what you're missing beforehand, not just slapping a blanket number on everything and hoping it sticks.