If you got your start by taking on kitchen or bathroom counter refinishing projects for family and friends and letting them pay you whatever they could, now's the time to abandon that business model. Going forward, keep in mind that you're providing services as a professional and not as a friend. Your prices should reflect that. Once you set them, stick to them. Here are a few things to factor in as you're trying to arrive at a fair countertop refinishing cost.
When Calculating Countertop Refinishing Costs, Consider the Materials
It's been estimated that the national average for countertop refinishing can range from $2.50 to $17.16 per square foot. Material costs will depend on the finish customers want. As you're establishing your prices, you'll definitely want to factor in how much you'll be paying for materials. Here's a simple chart to give you an idea of the average countertop resurfacing costs per square foot for materials that are in high demand.
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| Ceramic | $1 - $15 per square foot |
| Granite (tile/slab) | $15 - $140 per square foot |
| Laminate | $8 - $27 per square foot |
| Marble | $15 - $190 per square foot |
| Porcelain | $3 - $28 per square foot |
| Quartz (Engineered Stone) | $15 - $70 per square foot |
| Slate | $20 - $60 per square foot |
Price Out the Competition
Researching your competitors can actually give you a huge advantage. By taking a look at their websites and marketing materials, you can get a better idea of what professional countertop refinishing companies in your area are charging. In doing this research, you can decide if you want to charge based on area averages or make your prices slightly higher based on the quality of your materials and manpower. The one thing you don't want to do is undercut competitors' prices. When you make your services inexpensive, you'll only make it harder to profit from them.
Tips for Getting Information About Your Countertop Refinishing Competitors
- Do a quick online search for countertop refinishers in your area. You can even take a look at the phone book (yes, some people still use them) to find out what businesses are listed. It might not hurt to extend your search to cities that are within a half-hour of your location, too.
- Take a look around competitors' websites or look at brochures and see what is included with their services.
- Read customer reviews and see how competitors are treating their clientele. This includes things like: if the work area was left a mess, if workers showed up late, if phone interactions were less than stellar and if jobs weren't up to standard.
- Call some of your competitors to see if you can get quotes for similar services, or if they have a free estimate form online, fill it out.
- If you want to see them in action (and can avoid being obvious about your intentions), request on-site estimates when possible. This will allow you to learn how competitors interact with potential customers and find out more about their pricing structures. If you think this might be hard to pull off, you can always enlist the help of a friend or family member who is very familiar with home improvement techniques.
- Once you have what you need, you can sit down and figure out your own pricing. If you still need help, try networking with people in the industry online, in real life or through a trade organization like the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
All Set? Good. Now Stick to Your Guns
Once your prices are set, don't be surprised when you get the occasional customer who wants to haggle or walk because your prices are "too high." Don't cave either. Your price covers countertop refinishing costs and compensation for you or your crew's hard work. So, if a potential client has a tough time accepting your quote and tries to pressure you to lower the amount, it's probably best to back away from the situation as gracefully as you can. In the end, that's not the kind of customer you want. You want customers who trust your craftsmanship and are willing to pay for it to get the kitchen or restroom countertop they envisioned. You can help seal the deal by reassuring your customers that they are getting fair prices and quality they can depend on when they hire you for professional countertop refinishing.
Need Kitchen or Bathroom Counter Resurfacing Supplies? We Can Help!
If your customers are looking for ways to plus up their kitchen or bathroom sinks for a new look, Topkote™ can connect you with the right tools. We've been helping kitchen and bathroom reglazing professionals since 1989 by providing supplies to make jobs easier, safer and more profitable. Here, you'll find bath and tile coatings, countertop coatings, spray equipment, fume control equipment, safety equipment, refinishing kits and even marketing tools to keep you productive and in demand.
Shop our selection professional countertop refinishing products, and if you have any questions,
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