If they can't give you a commitment, then give them a ballpark over the phone (if possible, but not probable). For Free! Or by email--remember --ballpark!
I think this is a good way to go. But instead of doing it over the phone or email, you might try doing it this way:
Call the potential client and tell them you would like to meet as you have some numbers and other things you'd like to go over with them.
Bring 2 folders, one for them and one for yourself.
From your folder, have a list, showing the costs for individual projects, including material and labor, along with the scope of the work.
Take time to explain the costs and the importance of taking certain steps so that they understand the scope of the work(I always try to educate my customers so they'll feel confident they aren't being taken advantage of). Be very meticulous and explain things thoroughly. Also make sure you're being fair.
Also have your contract ready for them to sign.
From their folder have any other paper work pertaining to the project such as, ordinances and restrictions from planning and zoning, along with costs for permit fees, and possibly any light sketches so that they can get a better visual of the proposed work.
If they choose to sign the contract you're set. If not, then you could also give them a simple peice of paper in their folder with your business card attached, stating a very broad and generic scope of work with a single total price. This is not much info for them to use other than to sleep on the price and get back with you when they're ready to sign.
If they show that peice of paper to other builders trying to get them to match or beat you, chances are other builders will want to see a formal bid. Think about it, the HO could've easily typed up their own price and put your business card on it.
If at the end of the day, you don't get the work; oh well it's happened to the very best of us more than we'd like to think about. You've at least gotten some good practice giving it the good ol' college try!
I think this is a good way to go. But instead of doing it over the phone or email, you might try doing it this way:
Call the potential client and tell them you would like to meet as you have some numbers and other things you'd like to go over with them.
Bring 2 folders, one for them and one for yourself.
From your folder, have a list, showing the costs for individual projects, including material and labor, along with the scope of the work.
Take time to explain the costs and the importance of taking certain steps so that they understand the scope of the work(I always try to educate my customers so they'll feel confident they aren't being taken advantage of). Be very meticulous and explain things thoroughly. Also make sure you're being fair.
Also have your contract ready for them to sign.
From their folder have any other paper work pertaining to the project such as, ordinances and restrictions from planning and zoning, along with costs for permit fees, and possibly any light sketches so that they can get a better visual of the proposed work.
If they choose to sign the contract you're set. If not, then you could also give them a simple peice of paper in their folder with your business card attached, stating a very broad and generic scope of work with a single total price. This is not much info for them to use other than to sleep on the price and get back with you when they're ready to sign.
If they show that peice of paper to other builders trying to get them to match or beat you, chances are other builders will want to see a formal bid. Think about it, the HO could've easily typed up their own price and put your business card on it.
If at the end of the day, you don't get the work; oh well it's happened to the very best of us more than we'd like to think about. You've at least gotten some good practice giving it the good ol' college try!
You will never know that ahead of time.
This scenario plays out all the time, along with the tried and true HO scheme of getting an estimate for the pure joy of seeing how much he can "save" by doing all the work himself.
It's a necessary evil that is something we just all have to deal with.
This is a sound idea when dealing with customers that are price shopping. It doesn't really work with what the OP is having problems with. His customer used his bid to get the price lowered on the house he was buying.
Any broad scope of work with a price attached should be limited to a time frame and/or have a clause in it that states the price and scope of work is purely for informational purposes and not a contract. Around here there are some aspects to contract law that could allow a commercial company (a bank for instance) to say 'hey, you gave us a price and scope of work, stick to it' even a year or two down the road.
Again, a simple peice of paper with a few words on it with out your business heading or your signature, just won't uphold anyone's court, let alone the court of law.
Again, a simple peice of paper with a few words on it with out your business heading or your signature, just won't uphold anyone's court, let alone the court of law.
charge $50 for a "round-the-park", "off-the-dome" estimate (in-home).
charge $150 for a more detailed written estimate + blah, blah...
charge $350 - $450 for a comprehensive estimate with detailed drawings, ecetera, excetera, etc., blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, and oh yeah, blah blah, blah..
This should help cover your cost from these price shopping, idi** a** cus*$u#@*!
Good Luck.
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