The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber cover image

The Contractor Fight with Tom Reber

TCF992: When to Charge a Consult Fee

Feb 22, 2025
Dive into the nuances of charging consultation fees for contractors! Discover when it’s appropriate to charge or waive fees based on client history and urgency. Learn how building trust impacts pricing decisions in emergencies. Explore the importance of pre-qualifying leads and distinguishing between consultation and service fees. Gain insights into the balance of empathy and assertiveness in client interactions. Plus, tips for leveraging past relationships to enhance your business approach!
23:53

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The decision to charge a consult fee should be based on the client's relationship, urgency, and the context of the situation.
  • Understanding the distinction between consultation and service fees is crucial for building lasting client relationships and providing value.

Deep dives

Consultation Fees and Trust

The podcast delves into the nuances of charging consultation fees, emphasizing that the decision often relies on the relationship with the client. Contractors may consider whether the client is a friend, has previously paid for services, or is a reliable customer. For instance, in emergency situations, like a ceiling collapse, the urgency may dictate whether to charge upfront or absorb the fee based on established rapport. When a contractor has an existing relationship and has consistently provided quality service, discussing consultation fees may be deemed unnecessary.

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