Price On Work

Why was I thinking back on those two particular circumstances? I think just because both happened while I was in college. It was new to me to price my work and decide on what my time, my effort, and my skill, would be worth.

I have observed and learned since then, that I need to price what I feel my time (and other factors) are worth. But this was gradual with lots of trial and error… being mad at myself many times for undervaluing myself, or for simply being a pushover and not standing firmly for what I want.

As I was reflecting back on some pivotal learning moments, these two have always stayed with me and bothered me.

1) while working in college, talking to someone and in conversation, mentioned I was taking drafting courses in the evenings. He asked me to do a floor plan for a reno he was doing. A couple of walls were being moved or something, on an old heritage building. It was a smaller job, nothing major, so I agreed. My (now) husband, went with me to see the site and for me to confirm measurements for the floor plan. I’ve tried to put all the details out of mind, but what it boils down to, is I told him a price, which he agreed (and I am sure, knowing myself, I didn’t ask as much as I would have wanted to, but gave a price based on hoping he wouldn’t think it too high). I did the floor plan as well as a foundation plan and basic elevations. I gave it to him for review. What happened next, looking back now, I think ‘gaslighting’ is an appropriate term, but I didn’t know anything about that then. He called me and was not happy with what I had provided. Even though I had taken notes about what he had asked for, he spun it as if he hadn’t asked for the ‘extras’ like the elevations or foundation plan. He was mad at me and was telling me that this wasn’t what he had agreed upon for the price. Accusing me of doing more to warrant the price I had asked for. In my naivety and ‘small’ push-over manner, I let him push me around to take a big pay cut. But of course when I had time to think about what his arguments and explanations were, I had essentially then provided more for the amount we had agreed on, which would only seem logical that if he were an honourable person, he could have offered to pay more for the extra work that he apparently didn’t think he had asked me to do – but he’s running a business too, so just being grateful for getting more than what you expect for the dollar you had agreed to pay wound also be acceptable.

2) while also working at the same job while attending college for art, a customer who knew I was also an artist asked what I might charge if I were to draw a decorative logo for him. The question did put me on the spot, as he pressed me for a rough ‘guess’, even though he couldn’t explain what exactly the drawing might include and how detailed it might be. Because he kept pushing for an estimate, I just said $50.00. Keep in mind, I have no idea how many hours might be involved and was I responsible for coming up with the design? So even $50 could not be anywhere near worth my time. He then laughed and exclaimed loudly that this price was ‘highway robbery,’ and his manner made me feel like I was asking an obscene sum. For this scenario, I was annoyed at him. He had given me no detail of what he was looking for, and so how am I to estimate anything? So I mumbled something about that I can’t really give a good answer without knowing more, but he was in too much ‘shock’ to even listen to anything further that I had to say. Which also confirms for me that I wouldn’t want to do work for him anyway if that was his attitude about paying for a service.

Both of these have bothered me for so long for different reasons. The first one, that I let someone walk all over me and completely undervalue my work and I let it happen. I didn’t stand up for myself or demand the agreed payment amount. This one I was mad at myself more than anything.

The second one, I felt valid with what I put out there as a ‘guess’ with no information and I was insulted by how the person reacted and tried to make me feel like I should take less, and ask less. I didn’t run after the work, I didn’t want it if it was for this person. But I was insulted. To think that someone shouldn’t be allowed to make a profit for work. And what was to say there would even be a profit? I didn’t guess high and the work involved could very well have been more time consuming.

I did go on to do many drafting jobs where I always felt uncomfortable setting a price. People have such different expectations and more often than not, think they can squabble and offer less than the flat fee, when the work in reality would take much more time than anticipated, especially as many people then asked for edits and layouts or sizes of room altered. It was an aspect of the work that I did not enjoy.

I have learned a lot since then, though, especially about myself. That I can set a price for work and that’s just the price. That’s what it is. I also can give myself grace. Those experiences, although uncomfortable, taught me a lot about myself and about other people.

Sending Love,

Devon