What To Bring To A Estimate/Presentation

Flawless Finish

Teetor, what size are the bags you're suggesting? Is it like a gym bag size? I don't really won't to look like I'm planning on staying the night.

That's a good idea with the fading. I plan to get a laptop pretty soon and that would be nice to do. I would probably let it run while I did measuring so I could make the most of my time.

Teetorbilt

You need one large enough to carry all of your stuff without it hanging out all over the place. My wife uses a beach bag but she only sells a few products that are related plus people aren't turned of by a woman carrying a flowery bag.

Everybody makes one. Mine are from BM, Hunter Douglas, Bay Shutters, Timberline, Norman Ind's., on and on. The standard bag is rectangular, long enough to fit in a legal size clipboard (also laptop), about 6" wide, usually has a flap to keep rain and gunk from getting in. Think an oversized briefcase that opens at the top.

In your case, I'm going for a paint job. Into the bag goes a clipboard with legal pad turned to a fresh page with the customers name and phone# at the top. Laptop loaded with a BM program, digital camera, tape, color deck, extra mechanical pencils, two decent looking pens (black ink). All batteries are charged, cel phone in the truck and I'm concentrating on only one thing. The Job!

Do the meet & greet, set up your temp 'office' somewhere, go through your presentation, snap some pics/download to BM software and you're good to go on what their room could look like. Keep the patter/interface going and keep notes on the second page of your clipboard when they aren't looking. You can also fill this in when your measuring on the front page. Get every detail. Dogs name (can be VERY important later), kids names, sports, hobbies, times&dates. Jot everything down.

I'm still missing a printer in the truck but I can produce a contract on the computer to see if we are in agreement. If so, I go to the office and fax or hand deliver a contract ASAP.

When the work starts, the second page builds bonds. Hey, Ralphie (the dog), Hi Bob (the HO), How was your game at ......last week? Did Jimmie win his softball game? How's Gladis' (mother-in-law's) gall bladder doing? Is Bonnie (wife) back from Providence yet?

It's all part of the 'game'. Get good at it and the world is your oyster.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Terrence

Flawless Finish
I think you're going to be a big success!

SgtBaldy,
Does this mean you set aside a special day of the week for estimates? I get people who are very impatient (or so it seems) for an estimate, and I don't want to lose their business by telling I can only see them on my estimate day (which is why I don't have one). Is that a mistake in your opinion?

Teetorbilt
Oh great idea! I can do that in iPhoto (I'm a mac person). That will be easy! Thanks for that awesome tip, can't wait to give it a shot!

KellyPainting
Whoah! I think I understand what you are saying, but how do you use that idea with the client? Does it help them select colors that are good together? (Or did I miss the point altogether?)

Teetorbilt
You really have a polished system going, seems a shame not to have a truck printer. I didn't even know they made DC powered ones.

Teetorbilt

Inverters are far from new. I'd set up a couple of golf cart batteries and an isolator. Make sure that the inverter is made for electronics.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

KellyPainting

Terrance..print it ..it is soooo cool... it shows the importance of selecting colors against a white peice of paper..while selecting with other samples can throw you off extremely...and yes it also shows dramaticaly the effects and influences other colors in a room affect the ones you are chooseing.

griesbaum

I get a lot of leads from my website. I follow up on leads that meet the criteria I set for new leads. As a result, by the time I have a face to face with the client for an estimate/proposal - they are almost always closed and work is began with 30 days. For those outside the 30 days I have a follow up log.

Like you, I do close about 90% of business. Craigs List which still to this date sends a lot of inquiries are just cheap shoppers. I do not get a lot of business from that board, but from those I have taken, I have gotton a lot of repeat business and referrals.

I still think a professionally designed website is the best tool to showcase your work!

Dave Mac

Man that great you guys land 90% of your leads, Im at about 4o%, And if i was just to calculate my closing rate with no referalls im at 24%.

a QUESTION FOR YOU 90% Closers, do you job cost every job?? and track every single penny??? Our labor is usally around 30%to 45 %, just wondering what your is ??

thanks
dave mac

Ed the Roofer

I just wanted to barge in and say, this is a great thread, even though it was dredged up from the past.

Very Informative!

Ed

regal

my dad used to pretend to take his thumb off, but it was actually attached, bent, and sliding on his other finger. I still shock potential customers, but it does prove a point..................... Im just not sure what that is yet................ just kidding........ hey, if it lands a job, its an addition to your portfolio of "Skills to Pay The Bills"

Home Serve

Yes, I can see it but would never know it till you described it.
Dave

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Missouri Remodeling Company with services for Replacement Windows Vinyl Siding and Entry Doors

Da Vinci

Hahahaha! That is the coolest prop for an estimate! I did what you said- printed out 2, used the second one and cut through the squares and a posterboard underneath at the same time. Then I took it to my crews when I was dropping off the checks today. I told them it was a test- get it right and get paid, get it wrong...(they knew I was kidding around).

They know I like to joke around, so they assumed B was the darkest- no one dreamed they were the same. Great object lesson- I'm putting it in my bid package for sure.

Thanks Kellypainting! Kudos on this one...
Bob
Bay Area Painting Contractor