If you’re a tradie or service provider in Australia, you’ve probably dealt with clients who expect rock-bottom prices—or worse, free work. Whether it’s a mate asking for a ‘quick favour’ or a customer trying to haggle your quote down to peanuts, knowing how to politely decline these requests is essential for protecting your time, skills, and livelihood.
So, how do you say no without sounding rude? More importantly, how do you set clear boundaries while still maintaining a good reputation? Let’s dive in.
When someone makes a lowball offer or asks for a freebie, they may not realise the value of what you do. Instead of shutting them down outright, acknowledge their request and then steer them in a different direction.
Example:
Client: “Can you just do this one small job for free?”
You: “I really appreciate you reaching out! Unfortunately, I can’t offer free work, but I’d be happy to help within your budget. Let’s see what we can do.”
By responding in this way, you remain polite and professional while making it clear that your time isn’t free.
Some customers don’t realise that even a ‘quick job’ still costs you money. There’s fuel, tools, materials, and the time you could be spending on paid jobs. Explaining this in a straightforward but friendly way can help them understand.
Example:
“I’d love to help, but I have to factor in my travel time, materials, and expertise. If you’d like a proper job done, I can put together an affordable quote for you.”
This response educates the customer on why you charge what you do while offering a solution.
If someone genuinely can’t afford your services but still needs help, offering alternative solutions can show goodwill without compromising your rates.
Example:
“I totally understand if my quote is outside your budget. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, you might consider a smaller job first, or I can recommend some budget-friendly materials to help bring costs down.”
This way, you’re still being helpful while standing your ground.
Sometimes, the best way to handle lowball offers is to be firm but professional. There’s no need to justify yourself—just politely decline and move on.
Example:
“My rates are set based on my skills, experience, and costs. I understand you may be looking for something cheaper, and that’s totally fine. If you change your mind, feel free to reach out!”
This makes it clear that your prices aren’t up for negotiation, while still leaving the door open for them to come back when they’re ready to pay for quality work.
One of the biggest mistakes tradies make is feeling guilty for charging what they’re worth. Remember, you’ve spent years developing your skills, investing in tools, and perfecting your craft. Giving in to lowball offers not only devalues your work but also sets a precedent that others will try to take advantage of.
Instead of working for peanuts, focus on attracting customers who respect your expertise and are willing to pay for it. This is where our platform ServiceSeeking.com.au can help.
Dealing with lowballers and freebie hunters can be frustrating, but you don’t have to put up with it. When you list your services on ServiceSeeking.com.au, you connect with real customers who are actively looking for professionals and are ready to pay for quality work.
Instead of spending hours haggling over prices, you can focus on securing high-value jobs that actually respect your time and skills.
Why ServiceSeeking.com.au?
You get access to serious customers who need skilled tradies and are willing to pay.
You can set your pricing upfront to filter out time-wasters.
You can showcase your experience and get reviews to attract premium clients.
At the end of the day, not every potential customer is the right fit for your business. Saying no to lowball offers isn’t about being difficult—it’s about knowing your worth. The more confident you are in your pricing, the easier it becomes to turn down requests that don’t serve you.
Final Thoughts
Next time someone asks for free work or tries to negotiate your prices down to nothing, don’t feel pressured to say yes. A polite but firm response, combined with a strong pipeline of quality leads, will help you maintain your professionalism and profitability.
If you’re ready to stop dealing with lowballers and start securing better-paying jobs, sign up for ServiceSeeking.com.au today. Because at the end of the day, quality work deserves fair pay—and you deserve customers who respect that.