How to Handle Clients Who Want Everything ‘Cash and Cheap’

Every sparkie’s heard it:

“What’s the cash price?”“Can you knock a bit off if I pay today?”“My cousin said it shouldn’t cost that much.”

Here’s how to handle those moments without losing your cool or your credibility.

Don’t Flinch at Pushback

When someone questions your price, it doesn’t mean you’re charging too much. It often means they don’t understand what they’re paying for your experience, your tools, your attention to safety.

Hold your ground. The right clients respect that.

Stay Clear, Stay Professional

You don’t need to justify every line of a quote. Just be direct.

“I do compliant, quality work and price fairly for that. I don’t cut corners.”

That sentence alone will weed out the tyre kickers.

Cash ≠ Chaos

If you agree to a cash job, get everything in writing scope, materials, exclusions. No paper trail means no protection.

Cash can be clean. Just keep it clear.

Learn to Walk

If it feels off, it probably is. The wrong client will cost you more in stress, risk, and rework than the job is worth. Don’t be afraid to say no.

Protect Your Name

Your name is your brand. One shortcut job, one dodgy callout, one mistake without documentation that’s all it takes to damage your rep in this trade.

Standards protect you. Stick to them.

Final Word

You’re not quoting a job. You’re offering peace of mind.

If someone’s looking for the cheapest sparkie in town let them keep looking.

You’re not here to race to the bottom. You’re here to raise the standard.