Job Quoting

S&P Builders

Hey all, when you give a client a quote, do you itemize the quote, or just present them with a lump sum?

rino1494

We describe the scope of the work and give a lump sum price. That way they don't see what we are making for each tasks. Also, if they show the bid to a competitor, they also can't see what I am charging for each task. If a customer wants to upgrade on something, then I'll tell them that it will cost a extra "***X" amount of money.

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picks

I give a lump sum quote along with a description of the work to be performed. If a HO asks for an itemized quote and requests details of every penny, I'll jack up the whole price 15%-20% just because I know the customer will be a pain.....which i can deal with for the right price

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dougchips

Total project price only. If they request it as seperate projects I will price it that way and then give a "all at once price". For example I am bidding on a job now where the guy wants to do 12 windows at a time, I will give him that price and then a better price to do them all at once.

Danahy

I give an itemized quote...
When I'm quoting a project, I actually talk them into letting me price out everything. That way they have a price list, and can pick and choose what they want done this time, and which things to have done next time and so on - That way they only have me do what they can afford at each visit. Makes for alot of repeat work, which I love.

Lump sum quotes put me into the category of the other painters, and bottom line price became the deciding factor. Depending on how my pitch went would depend on if I got the job. I also won't compete with other peoples quotes, ever.

I like to think that when I'm out there, I'm the only person they called. If I get what I want, i'll take it... If not, I'll pass.

I find that my estimate has so much detail, and answers most of thier questions, that it subtly undermines the other painters...

The HO's will call them up, and say that Danahy Design will do all this, is that included with yours??? My competition ends up competing with me, although I don't compete with them...

Not saying this is right for anyone else... It just works for me.

my thoughts are that some people are going to get taken by the low baller, and after that, they'll learn... Even if I don't get them, it's nice to know that they're thinking, and telling their friends, "I should of went for Danahy Design"... The more people are nervous of finding the right guy makes it better for me.

PressurePros

Detailed work scope with itemized labor cost and materials price given as a whole.

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Pressure Washing PA
Roof Cleaning Services PA

RYANINMICHIGAN

Scope- build ***
Price- 1,000,000

dirt diggler

I think i did a thread on this like back in the summer


When I first started ...

did lump sum. little detail. just a big fat number.

then, did very detailed and itemized estimates. My reasoning here was so they (HOs) would see exactly where their money was going.

did that work? the ones it worked with really liked it; they felt comfortable with me and could see I was operating a business.

Now?? eh, I'm indifferent. If anything, I've gotten more comforatble with pricing and can give verbal ball park numbers. If they like those, I then just give a lump sum

HOWEVER

I provide ALOT of detail (i.e. what's included) BEFORE getting to the number (I put this on the last page of the estimate).





I guess my whole point is that give em the number any way you want ... but I think there's something to be said for the WAY or manner in which you present it.