How to price for repeat customers?

We have a question from Bob in Kankakee Bradley, IL. Bob asks: How can I price for repeat customers, do I give them the same price I worked for ten years ago? How can I make sure that my customers feel comfortable and don’t think I am abusing with their trust?

The answer to the first question is: can you afford to give the same price you were giving 10 years ago? If you can afford that go ahead, but I’d suggest you do your pricing based on the scope of work. For many reasons pricing the same house or building after many years is not the same.

1. The time from the previous painting might not be the same, thus more or less work.
2. Scope of work might be different. (i.e. customer might have replaced sash windows that take a lot of work with vinyl ones.)
3. Maintenance throughout the years.
4. Inflation, are you still paying the same amount for labor, paint, gas etc.?

All of these factors will have a huge impact in price.

How can I make sure that my customers feel comfortable and don’t think I am abusing with their trust? Well if you do your job right I don’t think there will be that kind of confusion. That means if you go and price the job like you always do, and specify what you are going to do for what price, it will be pretty obvious that you are taking the project seriously. On the other hand if you can arrange some kind of promotion and offer a discount for your loyal customers, they always appreciate that.

I hope I have answered your question Bob and wish you the best of luck.