What To Do If Home Owner Is Price Shopping

quix07

I went on an estimate for drywall repair (about 5 sheets and spackle for paint). From talking with the homeowners I get a gut feeling that they are just price shopping and won't do the work until a much later time. From previous experiences I'm 90% sure I will never hear from them again.

So my question is how do you guys handle this. 1) don't even bother to waste your time and send them an estimate 2) do the estimate quick and mark it up just incase they decide to hire you 3) act like it is any other estimate

Cole

1. Charge for estimates.

__________________
Tulsa's Leader in Outdoor Living Construction | Facebook | Tulsa Pergola Builder | Tulsa Outdoor Kitchens

quix07

In my area if I charge for estimates I wont get calls.

oldfrt

Yea,if you feel their pulling your strings,pull on their purse strings!

kevjob

give them a number and ask for the sale if they hem and haw see ya!

__________________
Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

copusbuilder

I have a problem with people that have little regard for ones time.
Give them and estimate and mark their name in your book. If they call you again make 6 appointments and break them all minutes before the scheduled meeting

At least it would be fun to do

__________________
www.copusconstruction.com
www.etexasrentals.com
www.thelakevoice.com
AkA Richard Cranium

thom

The most annoying ones are the ones who have already hired their brother/cousin/friend to do the job but get an estimate from you so they know how much to pay them.

quix07

Thom- thats exactly what i feel is happening here

Putty Truck

Have you tried? If a ho needs the work done and is ready to buy, they will pay.

Also, if they buy, the estimate is waived: "The estimate fee is $45.00 and its waived if we do the work. This is good for 30 days."

If it is an old customer, the same applies because oil is hitting 100 and the 'vette needs new rubber.

vinylguy

never leave your estimate for them to use to price comparison with cause another guy who leaves with the work order will also probably have your estimate in hand also. just give them a price ask for the job if they him haw say see ya!

Bob Kovacs

It sounds like an estimate that should take all of about 2 minutes to put together, so is there any other way but "quick" to put it together???

- 5 sheets of drywall at $10- $50
- Mud, tape, screws- $20
- Pickup rock, hang, tape, finish- 8 hours at $60/hour- $480

Total cost w/ overhead in labor costs- $550
Add for profit- $150
Total price- $700

There- I did it for you (and I expect 10% if you get the job). You already wasted the time to go out there and look at the job for free, so you may as well throw them a number in case your gut is wrong and they really want the work done.

Give me their phone number and I'll even call the quote in for you

Chris G

Gut instincts are usually correct. But this job is pretty clear cut and doesnt sound like it cold turn into a clusterfug, so its worth 5 minutes of your time to explain to them the different levels of finish involved. You dont (damn I hate not having an apostrophe key that works) have to tell them how do it but you can give them an idea of the intricacies involved in taping and plastering and what can go wrong. They might get the idea that a good job costs a reasonable amount of money.

Mike Finley

Doubt it. I'm betting there is a dollar amount you could charge no matter how rural an area you are in.

dougchips

2 minutes/5 minutes/10 minutes is way to long, most experts can prejudge every client in less than 8.6 seconds. With proper prejudging (burn them/blow them off) 100% of clients will not do business with them so they will prejudge correctly 100% of the time.

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

Flikka

Where should clients go to get estimates when they are trying to decide what they can afford and when they can afford it. Obviously, well to me anyway, this probably isn't the case given it's just a small drywall job but if they wanted a new bathroom or kitchen or addition who should they ask? Wouldn't you like it to be you in the off chance that you sell yourself and your company well and may get the job down the road when their wish list is complete and the finances in place? Should there not be any tire kicking?

Mary

osborn

When I feel I am being shopped,I tell them straight up. I say Ill give them a close estimate off the top of my head. If its in their range then I will spend time on it. But I do tell them I dont spend time on estimates if Im not getting the job.

sendres

I hate wasting my time with tire kickers like everyone else and I do my best to avoid them, but I have a hard time blaming a home owner for getting three estimates. At the same time, while I don't yet, charging for estimates is fair as well especially if your giving more than a one liner with complete specs which should be standard.

Most people won't be able to get a referral and will be going in blind into the yellow pages. Now lets face it not everyone in this business is as honest, fair, and on the up and up like everyone on this forum. Unfortunately, there are some scammers, cons and fly by nights, that give the rest of the contracting world a bad name.

Any major business typically works on a minimum three estimate system, unless working with an existing relationship. Why should we expect a homeowner to be any different with thier life's largest purchase. At the same time I expect the homeowner to be prepared, professional and true to a bid process. So I won't back out just because they're getting other prices, but I do try educate them on my abilities and history and items to consider in thier evaluation. Who ever does the work I hope they have a good experience, because every bad one just adds to the negative contractor stigma.

My 1.8 cents

RenaissanceR

When a client calls or emails, I'm upfront and tell them I charge a fee for estimates, or in my business, "Restoration Proposals". That weeds out quite a few of the tire kickers. And my restoration proposals are multi page documents with photos and all the information the client needs to know, including rules and
regulations from the State of MA.

JoeF

__________________

Floordude

I didn't have the heart to tell the lady, that the guy that was adding on to her home, was an idiot. The guy didn't own a level, I'm sure. She got a no bid from me. I showed her all that was wrong and out of spec/standard with the flatness of the recently built substrate. When she asked what to do about it, I couldn't bring myself to say, tear it all down, and start over!!! The addition was built 3" to high, and then they sloped it in the last 8 foot to the door, adjoining the existing residence, so it would be an even transition... Hahahahaha!

__________________
**Education is the key to success. Learn more, earn more.**
http://www.AustinFloorguy.com

eastend

JoeF:
I'm curious- what do you charge for your "Restoration Proposals"?