fighting-inflation

Fighting Inflation

Learn how we keep our rates fair in an inflated Market. 

As a business owner or homeowner in Reading, Pennsylvania, you’re probably well aware that our market is inflated. We at Stevens Electric have worked hard to keep our rates fair to provide the best value possible for our customers. Learn more about how we manage our rates and what makes us different from other contractors.

Expand your supply: 

One of the ways we have stayed competitive is:

We’ve expanded our shopping network to find the best prices possible. We take the time and invest in researching suppliers all over America instead of relying on local pricing that often has skyrocketed due in part to inflation-adjusted rates. Instead, we find higher quality products from trusted companies we built relationships with – this helps guarantee quality products at better rates.

In a market like this, it is essential to look at the details of your estimates. Ask the questions:

What products are you using for my project?

Is this “brand” your preferred supplier? If so, for how long?

Why do you choose that “brand?”

Asking these questions can ensure you are getting a contractor picking supplies based on quality and not price.

Some companies will install inferior products to cut costs and keep their rates low instead of spending hours researching the best price for the superior product.

Utilizing “Professional” Incentives: 

Many suppliers offer “Professional” discounts that can equal a lot in savings.

You may have to buy supplies and keep them in inventory to maintain an uninflated rate. You can often pick up materials for bargain rates by keeping an eye on sales and promotions. For example, Lowes offers special deals, rates, and discounts for using their “Pro-Account” Program. Other suppliers have similar incentive programs for contractors. 

Strategic Scheduling: 

As gas prices continue their steep rise, many contractors find it more complicated and expensive to maintain a travel schedule.

Strategically scheduling jobs based on location ensures that you get the most out of your mileage. This method can increase wait times. However, in our experience, clients are more inclined to wait the extra time rather than pay an increased rate.

We hope that this article has helped shed some light on the inner workings of our business. It is not easy keeping rates fair in an inflated market. Still, we believe that we can do just by expanding our supply, utilizing incentives, and strategic scheduling. If you have any questions about how we work, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We would be happy to discuss our business practices further with you. Have a great day!