Hello

fox builders

Look forward to talking to others in the business.

I first would like others feed back in regards to free estimates I personally spend way to much time on same,And feel we are giving away our time to have a home owner pic our brain then run down to hd to do it them selfs. Any thoughts

I really would like to charge for estimates ?

Double-A

Hello and welcome.

As for homeowner's picking your brain, do you have an example in mind?

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

fox builders

I find that I'am giving away my knoledge to said home owner and or other contractors that bid after.

Example: bid new house, client gave my detailed estimate to other contractor and said we want this can you do it for less after 10 mins of review of my bid specs he said yes for 3k less they went with him and he copied my spec on to his contract at thier request, They informed me of same

Cole

If that is the case then I wouldn't want to work for the client in the first place.

BTW- Welcome to the forum!

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

Double-A

I know you can copyright 'literary works', and that it has a very definite meaning in the world of law. I wonder if you can copyright an estimate and/or a contract? I used to know the answer to this question, but I'm ashamed to say I've forgotten. I think it is covered as an 'intellectual property'.

Does anyone know?

That other contractor should do his own homework, not copy off your answers without your permission.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

justplayn

Just Today I was consulting with a retired contractor about giving bids/estimates and he persistantly scolded me for reffering to it as such or for letting these bids/estimates consume any of my time (usually 1 day/week).
Instead he tells me to only give out refferences and/or proof of compitence upon first contact and only follow through if a client has choosen to use me for this job. Then at first meeting, collect a deposit and book the job.
Then he tells me that for the last five years that he contracted, he would only accept jobs from clients he had already done work for or clients that were reffered to him(and vouced for) by previous clients.
Then even these customers were beginning to seek bids and ask for a lower price,"...wasting my time and every other contractor that would return their call", and not wanting to pay extra for add-ins and baulking the finished job tring to get it for less.
Now Don sells his work at art shows and flea markets,"...I only have to look at a customer for 10 minutes, I get paid and they leave"
I love contracting and Don, being so experienced, has been a great help with pricing my jobs right, and getting them done quickly. But if I am going to feel the same as him when I am 50 years old, the flea market is starting to look a lot more appealing.

Double-A

Burnout in this business is one of the hazards. Constantly educating folks is a tough job, but, at the same time it can be rewarding. You get that one client with prior experience and have a checkbook that doesn't need constant babysitting, and its like hitting a grand slam to win the pennant.

How long has Don been retired?

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

fox builders

Thanks for the insight being 51 and having done this for some time I probaly am getting a little burned out.

I do like educating my clients in regards to the project, but have found more and more people shop price not quality.

I know a small contractor that gets 450.00 when he pulls in the driveway to look at a project he will not discuss same without the check in hand. He tells me he was tried of wasting his time so he started charging for same.

He eliminated the tire kickers that had no idea of what a project that they were thinking of would cost.

I try to ask people up front what their budjet is prior to bidding same if I know from what they are looking to have done is lets say in the neighborhood of 60 k and they think 20 k and inform them of same and jump in the truck and leave.

fox builders

Just would like to know others feelings in regards to using a sales person to generate future work and or contacts.

And how you use him as employee and or independent on commision basics.

Thanks for any insight that you may have.

Mark Fox Builders

Cole

Mark, You may want to start another thread in the business discussion area.

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

snapper21

I always charge a fee that is reimbursed upon contract signing. Fee varies depending on type/size of work.