💰 Price It Right and Take Deposits

The formula

Hours × your hourly rate + materials + travel + 20% margin. Your hourly rate must cover the hours you can't bill (quoting, driving, admin) — most people price too low because they forget those.

Per job or per hour

Per job for things you can scope (a clean, a shoot, a cake); per hour for open-ended work (repairs, consulting) with a written estimate first.

Deposits

50% before work starts. It filters time-wasters, funds materials, and makes cancellations rare. Say it kindly and early.

Homework

Write your rate sheet with five services and prices. Add 'deposit required' to each.

✅ Do this now — step by step

1. Write down every hour a job really takes — quoting, driving, doing, admin — and set an hourly rate that covers the unbillable hours too.
2. Price per job for anything you can scope (a clean, a shoot, a cake); per hour for open-ended work, with a written estimate first.
3. Make a one-page rate sheet with 5 services and prices; put it on WhatsApp and Google.
4. Add 'deposit required' to every line; 50% before work starts.
5. Review prices every quarter: if you're booked out, raise 10–20%; if quiet, market — don't discount.

⚠️ Mistakes to avoid

• Pricing from your costs only — price what the result is worth to the customer.
• Starting without a deposit — no-shows and 'I changed my mind' will eat your week.
• Quoting by voice note — quotes in writing prevent memory disputes.

🇯🇲 How it plays out in Jamaica