My private contract pricing policy is:
I charge an $80 trip & diagnostic fee to travel to the job, diagnose one appliance and provide a firm quote which includes a cash discount. Then I can diagnose additional appliances for only $20 each. And if multiple services are performed; I can also provide a “package price” to save you money. Should you decide not to do the repair then; the initial $80 can be applied to any OTHER repair within 30 days. That’s right folks! Should it be decided not to perform the repair service then; I will actually provide a credit worth $80 good for one month. 🙂 Cash discount and credit only applies to actual repair services performed and does not apply in case of trip and diagnosis only when no repair is performed or credit not applied to a repair service.
And as a general rule; I intend to meet or beat flat rate pricing as set forth in the 2019 issue of the “Major Appliance Service Pricing Guideline” also known as the “blue book” which is a flat rate pricing guide researched and published service companies that strive to maintain high standards of quality, customer service and consistent pricing.
That right folks! I intend to keep my prices at or below 2019 price levels. 🙂
And if another company is not referencing, maintaining or honoring this industry standard per the blue book then; that company may not be an honorable company especially if it has no consistent standards.
The following are generalized flat rate pricing guidelines.
(Contact Rod directly for specific quotes and offers.)
All price quotes always include initial trip and diagnosis. In other words, once you accept the offer; I do not add any HIDDEN FEES after the fact. Which is the same thing as a company who offers: “Free trip charge if the work is done”. I just word it HONESTLY. 🙂
The difference is that I am being honest about these very necessary costs required to complete the service. When a company offers: “Free trip charge if the work is done”; this is merely a deceptive advertising gimmick.
What should be considered is the bottom line and not just a cheap or ‘free’ trip charge as Quality of service, Materials and of course Warranty should ALL be considered when comparing. And alot of companies will not provide these ‘trade secret’ details when you ask a question such as “Do you use aftermarket parts?”…
Or they may deceptively answer: “We use genuine replacement parts” or “we use exact replacement parts” but do be advised these are merely after-market company NAMES. Such as the “Genuine Parts” company or the “Exact Replacement Parts” company… Actual brand name parts will carry an actual appliance brand name such as Whirlpool or Maytag.
This price table includes trip and diagnostic costs and is merely a general reference and of course; cost isn’t everything as one must compare ALL the pros and cons of the individuals or companies being compared and their policy such as their use of aftermarket parts and warranties as short as 30 days…
| MINOR SERVICES ONLY (no parts) | $160 – $200 |
| MINOR SERVICES WITH MINOR PARTS SUCH AS: KNOB, BULB, CLIP, FASTENER, CLAMP, ETC. | $220 – $300 |
| AVERAGE SERVICES WITH AVERAGE PARTS | $280 – $380 |
| MAJOR SERVICES SUCH AS: MAIN MOTOR, MOTOR/PUMP, TRANSMISSION, OUTER TUB, MAGNETRON, TRANSFORMER, CLOCK, ICE MAKER ASSEMBLIES, COMPLETE DEFROST SYSTEM, WASHER TIMER, ELECTRONIC CONTROL, OVEN CONTROL, MAJOR OVERHAULS OR MULTIPLE SERVICES | $400 – $1,200 |
Competitive or low prices are one thing but if you are shopping for the absolute “bottom of the barrel” lowest price possible then; you are looking for a company that provides lesser services performed by an inexperienced, under-paid, “technician” who may be learning on the job providing cheaper after-market or even USED parts. Covered with warranties as short as thirty days. And if you are lucky; they might actually return when you attempt to make a warranty claim…
What I provide is: Excellent solutions performed by a highly experienced technician providing top quality, brand name parts covered by a full two year warranty.
The BOTTOM LINE? Why even bother to break down individual costs at all?!? This is an OLD FASHIONED method! So; I simply provide a FLAT RATE quote for a service SOLUTION and this is why most companies now use the Major Appliance Job Rate guide also known as the “blue book”.
It literaly IS the bottom line without any confusion over out-dated concepts such as “Parts & Labor” or “Hourly”. In fact I actually consider parts to be EXPENDABLE materials I use to provide the SOLUTION of restoring the operation of your appliance. All you have to decide is whether or not to accept the solution based on the bottom line.
And by the way; I actually do have a price match guaranty in addition to my 100% customer satisfaction guaranty and two year warranty. 🙂
If there is ever any proof of claim that a company will perform the same services (including customer services, brand name parts, cash discount, two year warranty additional trips to complete job, shipping & handling, and etcetera) then I will certainly match their price! And in some cases, my price is actually less when we properly scrutinize their offer!
I am a true private contractor operating in private in the un-incorporated USA (republic) and all contracts are always negotiable before any work is performed.
For example: I might quote $200 to do a repair that another company claims they can do for $180. But then I discover their warranty is only 90 days SO; my $200 repair covered by a two year warranty can actually be reduced to $180 with a one year warranty, or $160 with a 90 day warranty so at that point, not only have a met their price; I have actually BEAT their price! But; do you actually want a shorter warranty period just to save a little money?
Think about it. 🙂