[Mike Finley]

:bangin: I added up the projects I have done estimates on in the last 7 days. Comes to just over $190,000 worth of work.

I'm counting on landing probably none of it.

Awesome.

 

[480sparky]

That's all?

Either you're a good closer, or don't do much work to begin with.

 

[plazaman]

at least its better than staying home and listening to music all day. (Me) I give up.. what else.. to do.. Top it off.. im Single!

 

[katoman]

Mike, why don't you think you're going to get any of those jobs? Price too high? Are these customers you know? Referrals? Random jobs to quote?

I get almost all my work via referral, and sell about 90% of what I quote. They have seen my work and have already decided to use me. It's just a question of giving them an estimate.

Just wondering.

 

[Tom R]

Remind them you're the head honcho . . . :whistling

 

[Roberts Ren]

I have bid 6 jobs int he last three weeks and not a single call on them so I ask around and everyone I talk to is the same so I' thinking its that time of the year two of the jobs are not "mine" on paper but have been told they are just not until after the first of the year. hold in there

 

[Mike Finley]

Mike, why don't you think you're going to get any of those jobs? Price too high? Are these customers you know? Referrals? Random jobs to quote?

I get almost all my work via referral, and sell about 90% of what I quote. They have seen my work and have already decided to use me. It's just a question of giving them an estimate.

Just wondering.

Priced too high, why else?

 

[Chasing Dreams]

I'm sure something will shake loose out of 6 estimates:thumbsup:

:thumbdownPlease refer to what is written below:clap:

 

[bconley]

Priced too high, why else?

How long before you start to lower prices?
Are these typical numbers?
If you get 1 out of 10 you should get next quote, is that the thinking?

 

[Mike Finley]

Not going to. The recession is coming to an end, it's a positive sign that bigger projects are coming back on the market. But that doesn't change the unrealistic consumer who still wants things done 30% cheaper.

 

[JustaFramer]

Priced too high, why else?

Eat crow sucker. You wonce tried to laugh at me when I told you "you'd price yourself out of the market." While it pains me to have to use this emoticon I must in shear jest. :laughing::laughing::laughing::w00t:

 

[Frank P]

Booked to March, it is breaking loose.

 

[Mike Finley]

Eat crow sucker. You wonce tried to laugh at me when I told you "you'd price yourself out of the market." While it pains me to have to use this emoticon I must in shear jest. :laughing::laughing::laughing::w00t:

Thanks for your support. :thumbsup:

Don't know when you told me anything about pricing myself out of the market, (must have meant a lot more to you then me)

I'm glad you care enough to pull yourself all the way out of the basement and a scintilating thread about how bad Obama is to check in on me here. Since you care so much here was my 2009:

We expanded to a 3000 sq/ft warehouse this year, paid cash for : a company truck, a fork lift, a 2nd trailer, outfitted it with 20K of tools, hired an additional carpenter, purchased 30K in inventory, increased sales by 30% over last year and made a profit after all that cash outlay.

We have also had and have a 60-90 day back-log of work for 3 years running.

I took 3 weeks of vacation out of the country.

I guess I should have priced myself out of the market earlier.

But enough about my hard times, how was your year? I'm going to guess pretty good based on the bitterness.:laughing:

 

[JustaFramer]

worked all year Mike.

 

[Mike Finley]

Glad to hear it.

 

[bconley]

Mike,
I was asking to see if this is your typical closing ratio.
Is that how many proposals you put out until you get one that is worth doing?

 

[Mike Finley]

No, but just like any sales, you can go through streaks where you do 10 estimates and don't sell them then sell the next 3 in a row.

 

[d-rock]

As some of you probably know, this was my first year in business. as far as bidding, same thing happens to me (sub). It's mainly b/c i been bidding for same couple of GC's. One of them just did not win work, the other was just using my numbers and (i found out later) building with 'in house' framers and rockers. I was decently busy, but it all came to a halt. I realize my error was being married to the job sites, with tools strapped on. I needed to get out more and sale my services to other GC's, study my market and see which GC's are doing well. This week, I've bid a little over $ 2 million in Hi-Rise work, and some garage re -frames. The problem is , when i do so many bids and get nothing, i fear i get complacent on the process b/c in the back of my mind is that voice 'ahh so what...you won't get it anyway'

 

[jarvis design]

Mike, I know it sucks when you walk out of a customers house and don't have that warm fuzzy feeling. But, there are always exceptions to the rules!! You just never know - one or more of those people may come back after they get other prices - even if you are the highest.

 

[buddy110]

Not going to. The recession is coming to an end, it's a positive sign that bigger projects are coming back on the market. But that doesn't change the unrealistic consumer who still wants things done 30% cheaper.

Exactly. We're raising our prices 4% next year :thumbup: