Most tradies have been there: the job's finished, you've stuck to the scope, delivered quality work, and now the customer wants to haggle. Post-job discount requests can catch you off guard and put you in a tricky position — especially when you've already invested time, labour, and materials.
This guide helps you deal with these situations confidently and professionally, while still protecting your pricing, reputation, and future workload.
And if you're listing your services on ServiceSeeking.com.au, you'll also want to be prepared for all types of client behaviour, including last-minute discount negotiations.
Clients usually ask for a discount after the job’s done because:
Regardless of the reason, the key is knowing how to respond without compromising your professionalism — or profit.
First things first: don’t take it personally.
Stay calm and polite, even if the request is unreasonable or frustrating. Getting defensive can escalate things unnecessarily. Responding professionally keeps the conversation focused and positions you as the reliable expert — especially if they try to argue further.
Try saying:
“I understand where you’re coming from, but the agreed rate reflects the time, materials, and quality of work provided.”
If a written quote, invoice, or scope of work was shared upfront (which you should always do), refer back to it. This helps set expectations early and reduces room for negotiation after the fact.
Example:
“As outlined in our quote, the work included [X, Y, Z] at [$] rate. The final invoice reflects that agreement.”
No wiggle room = less chance of ongoing haggling.
If you reduce your price without removing something from the scope, you’re setting a dangerous precedent. The message? Your rates are flexible, and they’ll expect it again.
If you must accommodate (for strategic reasons, or as a one-off), consider this instead:
“If you’re working within a tighter budget, I can look at scaling back some elements or breaking the job into stages.”
That way, any price change reflects a change in value — not a loss of confidence.
Clients who push for discounts after the job is done often:
Pro tip: Keep mental (or digital) notes on repeat customers. Rate their reliability, communication, and payment behaviour. Over time, this helps you identify who’s worth prioritising — and who’s just passing through.
Future work isn’t guaranteed — unless it’s locked in with a signed contract or recurring job agreement.
You’re not running a subscription service, and clients shouldn’t expect discounts for vague promises. A polite but firm response might be:
“I’m always happy to quote competitively on new jobs, but this rate reflects the work done on this one.”
If they want to bundle multiple services or book recurring work in writing, then a package price can be discussed — but not before.
Sometimes, it’s not worth the back and forth. If a customer is pushing too hard, stalling payment, or undermining your work, it’s OK to move on.
“I may not be the best fit if pricing is the main concern — I’d recommend reaching out to other providers who might suit your budget.”
You don’t have to match the cheapest quote. You’re not the cheapest — you’re reliable, skilled, and running a sustainable business.
Prevent the situation altogether by being clear and upfront before any job starts. This includes:
And when you’re quoting through ServiceSeeking, make use of the platform’s built-in messaging and quoting tools to document your agreements. It makes things easier if a dispute arises later on.
Discounts should never be demanded — but they can be used strategically if you want to reward great clients or secure repeat work.
Some tradies offer:
But here’s the rule: You offer the discount. They don’t ask for one. And you never compromise on quality in exchange.
At the end of the day, you know when someone is trying to take advantage — and when someone’s just genuinely trying to make things work.
Not every post-job discount request is a red flag, but if your gut’s telling you this is going to become a pattern, listen to it.
Handling post-job discount requests isn’t just about protecting your profits — it’s about setting boundaries, communicating your value, and standing firm on what your work is worth.
The right clients will respect your pricing. And when you list your business on ServiceSeeking.com.au, you’re putting your services in front of people actively looking for tradies who do quality work — not just the cheapest deal.
So price your work with confidence. Quote clearly. Deliver what you promise. And don’t be afraid to say no when you need to.