Newbie here, quoted $800 for a simple deck repair in rural Kentucky and got laughed at

I'm just starting out as a handyman, took on a basic deck repair job fixing some loose railings and replacing a couple rotted boards with pressure-treated lumber from Lowe's. Customer in rural Kentucky said $800 was highway robbery for 4 hours work, even though I included the materials and my time hauling the DeWalt tools out there. Now I'm second-guessing if I'm pricing too high for small jobs like this or if clients out here just expect DIY prices.

sounds like they thought you were gonna do it for a six pack and a pat on the back lol

i feel your pain, man. same thing happened to me on my first fence patch.

screw these lowballers, they call back when it collapses anyway.

goddamn clients thinking handyman work is free labor.

had a similar deck job, charged $600 and they bit.

bro, walk away next time. your time ain't free.

nah, $800 sounds fair for deck work with materials.

check out that youtube vid from tommy mello on pricing handyman gigs, changed how i quote.

controversial take: always add 20% buffer for rural jobs, they drag on with 'one more thing'.

man that sucks, i've been there with porch fixes.

totally get it, starting out is brutal on quotes.

try flat rate sheets, makes it easier to defend your price.

what kind of railings were they? pressure-treated or composite?

bump your price to $1000 next time, include travel.

sharktank those clients, nah just kidding, but seriously filter better.

frustrated as hell, lost a whole afternoon to a no-show after that.

scope the job better upfront, show them the material costs.

for decks, i always quote T&M minimum $75/hr plus materials.

these people in the sticks expect miracles for peanuts.

rural kentucky? yeah, they lowball everyone, stick to your guns.

what's your hourly rate breakdown? might be undercutting labor.

clients like that are the worst, eat your time and give nothing back.

frustrated too, had a gate repair go south for similar reasons.

use jobber for quotes, it breaks down costs clearly for them.

i commiserate, first year i ate so many bad deals.

watched a scott brown video on client negotiations, super helpful for this.

proud of you for even quoting it, most newbies chicken out.

all these cheapos gonna regret it when pros won't touch 'em.