RE: FN-FORUM: Todays projects

date posted 24th August 2004 16:19

Well talking builds and how it relates to web etc...

I have a lot of good mate all run they're own building firm now I'm from
the valleys south Wales ok now people are always after a deal and like
things done really well and cheap!

The problem my mate has is his firm is well established building firm
here In the valleys and can quote a few hundred or thousand for a nice
simple job but say he gets asked to pitch for a job in Cardiff (closest
city to me) he has to up his price by almost 50%+ not that bothers him
just as he is regarded as a cowboy!

Same in the web industry there's no way I could charge some of the
prices on here for standard 4-6 page web site round where I live but if
I take on work from Cardiff / London the price is almost doubled if not
tripled just for that if it's cheap it must be crap it's not always the
case!

Regards,

John

www.keltecdesign.co.uk
for all your media solutions


-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL REMOVED] [EMAIL REMOVED] On Behalf Of Colin
Rainsforth
Sent: 24 August 2004 16:36
To: FN-FORUM / [EMAIL REMOVED]
Subject: Re: FN-FORUM: Todays projects


Hi Tony,

At 10:16 am +0000 24/8/04, Tony Crockford wrote:
> >> I wish I could do the same with painters and decorators:
>>
>> If only! Seems like these manual jobs are raking it in, especially
> > plumbers and electricians.
>
>Because you can't offshore it?

That may be one factor. But more significant are:

- supply and demand
- close working relationships

Builders, plasterers, plumbers, electricians etc. are certainly in
short supply in Oxfordshire and they cost a lot more than in most
other parts of the country.

If you get a quote from one builder the next half-dozen will probably
be about the same price - most likely because they tend to work
together. For example, I had a loft conversion done last year and the
guy who won the contract used one of the other bidders to do a
significant amount of the work as a sub-contractor. They also both
use the same roofing contractor.

In effect the lack of competition creates a closed shop.

Plus (as you say) the work isn't portable. So you can't really get a
company in Yorkshire to compete for the work - let alone India etc.

Add onto that a healthy property market and low interest rates
generating huge demand and it's hardly surprising that good rates are
maintained.

Web design/development doesn't seem to enjoy any of these luxuries
and there is a general lack of confidence in the UK market as a
result - particularly amongst freelancers.

The fact is though that all companies need the services we provide to
achieve a variety of important business goals. Therefore our services
are of value and we need to stick to our guns to earn a fair living
from what we do.

ColinR
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