When do you offer discounts or "discounts"?

In home services, it can feel like customers are always looking for a deal. But after years in the business, our approach is pretty simple: we don't discount.

Not because we're rigid — but because our pricing is already fair. We charge what the job is worth, and we stand behind that number.

The only times we'll budge:

If something goes wrong on our end — If we made a mistake or fell short, a discount is the right thing to do. It's not a handout, it's accountability.

If we have to reschedule — Life happens. If we're the ones pushing a job back, we think it's only fair to make that right for the customer.

Outside of those two situations? We hold firm. I've heard some people "discounting" on the invoice as a pricing strategy but it's not actually a discount. 

When you discount freely, you train customers to always ask. You undervalue your work. And honestly, the customers who only show up when there's a deal aren't usually the ones you want long-term.

The right customers understand that quality costs what it costs.

What about you? Do you have a rule for when discounts are on the table, or do you play it by ear? Would love to hear how other home service businesses handle this.