What Are Some Of The Main Reasons We Loose Bids?

healthyhomes

Maybe some of you guys and gals can help shed some light on this one...

Other than price, what are some of the biggest reasons we lose out on potential jobs in your opinions?

excellencee

Not calling back promptly or at all. That's usually the only time I loose bids, and I'm rarely the cheapest.

Jason Whipple

Sometimes it can be something as simple as bad karma. We are all different personality types and some don't go well with others. Be thankful when you lose that one!

Other times it could be that we failed to show the customer why we are the best choice for their project. This is usually a side affect of talking to much or concerning yourself on the price and not the service.

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Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
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mickeyco

Because they aren't tight enough.

Click here


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MALCO.New.York

Not knowing how to "Close", or "Overselling" a job.

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Jason Whipple

True! and I've even seen a recent post where someone lost a job because they didn't up-sell the job! Another Contractor offered something better, and even though it cost more the H/O liked it better.

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Historic House Restoration, Cincinnati, Ohio
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masterk

Willing to do the job the right way when 2 others went in before you and convinced the homeowner that there half a$$ way was the right way.
Then the homeowner don't want to believe that you are right because the other 2 couldn't be wrong.

DavidC

IMO, #1 reason is failure to call back or return with estimate. Our rep reported calling a prospect recently that declared he had been trying for 2 years to get someone to respond with a quote.

After that I go with our failure to instill confidence in the customer that we are the best choice. We are, in many cases, the highest quote recieved and still get the job. Sometimes it goes to a higher bid than ours.

I think price is seldom the determining factor. Sometimes it is the only consideration, but I beleive it is the case much less than we are trained to expect. Most surveys will place price as the 3rd-5th most important concern of the HO.

Good Luck
Dave

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KentWhitten

If you can't spell properly, that's strike one.

Start off with a good first impression.

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Custom Cabinetry - Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Kennebunkport, Yarmouth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Ogunquit, Maine

Salmon Falls Cabinetry

Floordude

Believe it or not, showing up to do the quote too clean cut! They thought I was just a salesman and subcontracted out all the work. I was way too clean, to be the guy actually doing the work, in their minds + I was 4 times higher then the next bid, to do it to standards and code. Everyone else showed up to do the bid, dusty and dirty, driving an old rusty, oil derrick, and 4 times cheaper then my quote, and a very vague quote at that.

I can say that 3 out of 5 jobs I bid, and don't get initially, I get the call to come fix or finish what they got. They then realise why my quote was so much higher then the rest.

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BMAN

I have recently stopped doing the work myself and stepped up to a management level. My bids have been higher and I am landing more jobs then ever based on Reputation and the fact that I can answer calls faster and turn over estimates within 24hrs now. I do all the bids by computer and email the quote back to the customer. They seem to love it that way and it eliminates "phone tag" You truly are limited in the money you can make if you are the one doing everything. Now I know that a lot of guys want to have it that way and I respect that a lot cuz there are many days that I would rather be on a ladder getting dirty. Its more relaxing and good therapy for sure. I have def heard people say that they can't afford us and I am ok with that. I know that an owner can offer a lower price if he is the one doing the work.

MALCO.New.York

This is sooooo true.

Had a paint contractor show up. Rado watch. Eeel skin business card case. $600.00 shoes. I did not even allow him to pitch me I said "how much"? He was way high. I laughed him out of the house.

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

joasis

First impressions cannot be "undone"....and I hate trying to sell anyone. Thankfully, I don't have to do this...if they take the time to find me or call me, chances are pretty high they want me to do the job anyway....and although we have discussed this before, and opinions are all over the place, if I sense hesitation, or lack of confidence from the customer, I will strongly encourage them to seek other bids or consult with someone else. Sometimes, reluctance on our part makes the customer want us to do the job all the more, and price isn't the issue then, getting us to agree to do it is.

Overselling, and failing to get where you need to be in a reasonable time is a reputation killer as well....I do have a few people that tell others not to bother with me since I never get there anyway.....I am trying not to overbook anymore...weather will make a liar out of you.

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wizendwizard

Mr. Phillips,

I spoke with my wife last night and she would prefer us go with someone else. I prefered you because you're certified; however, she doesn't feel the same way, and doesn't want to invest quite that much into a home that we will only be in for a couple more years. Despite my best efforts to explain to her that this will increase our homes value she would prefer to let one of her dad's chronies do the work at a far cheaper cost. I do appologize for any inconvienience this may have cause you. If or when they wreck my kitchen I will probably be calling you to come and fix it at a greater cost.

Thank you,


This bid was on R&R tile kitchen and laundry room floor. 3 bathrooms are in the mixer for a later date. We'll wait and see the outcome. We already know whats going to happen.

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JCY

Maybe the competitors have friends working inside the company that can help them get the project. Thats called connection

Floordude

[quote=MALCO.New.York;439981]

I'm not decked out that much, but I do take a bath, wear my clean unholey jeans with a belt, a collared & embroidered shirt(name and company), and my work boots. They expected dusty, dirtly, smelly and late for the appointment. You know, someone they could screw over.

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