DivingOtter
Contributor
Hey everyone, I have a question for those of you who do either hull cleaning, wheel replacements or foulings. It seems that people in my area who either call me for work or stop to question me while im on site ask me my rates. Now from what two other divers have told me in my area, they charge around 150 to show up and get wet ( exept long time customers and friends )and usually charge per half hour after that. I recently had a call to replace some zincs and told him 150 per hour then per half hour after that. I got the usual haggle of no thats too much! I know another guy who does it for 100 ! Now speaking to the individual who does dive it for 100 says its been that way for X amount of years and hes been doing it so long at that price for certain people, he just sticks with it. However, the two other divers in the area are getting to the stage in life where they would prefer not to dive if they dont have too, so that being said one individual made the agreement to give me any calls he gets. I told him the scenario from above and he said that 150 is fair seeing how no one besides myself is really wiling to dive a busy port in freezing cold water they need to pay or I shouldnt waste my time or do it for any less unless its a special circumstance. Being a small business owner I want the business but dont want to end up putting myself into a scenario where im not making any headway. I guess the short version of it is do i give in to someone haggling me down just to take the business, or do I stay with my set prices and hope they agree to it? From what I have gathered other divers around my area have charged as much as 200 just to show up and slap their gear on. These are commercial vessels for the most part and I am hoping to build a good long term relationship with them but dont want to get stomped on in the process. Thanks in advance.