Time between bid and work? (Residential)

2 weeks average. Sometimes as quick as a couple of days. I've had people call me back a year later saying"ok I'm ready, is that quote you gave me still good?"

Don

Benhamcarpetguy said:

I've had people call me back a year later saying"ok I'm ready, is that quote you gave me still good?"Don

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Well, Don is it still good? How do you handle that one?

I'm going to have to agree with the two weeks, however that varies from time of year. September and November are very busy months. Sometimes if you tell me the same day, that you want the work done, you're still going to have to wait three weeks.

Before I schedule an appointment I ask the customer when they are looking to have the work done. I do this for one reason only, but it does give me a good idea of when they want it done. The reason I do it is so I know when to schedule the estimate. If they want the work done right away I am going to jump on the estimate. If they say something like "before the snow flies" then I might schedule the estimate for a few days later. This questions helps me prioritize my schedule so I am not wasting time on un-important stuff.

Nathan said:

Quick Question:

What is the average amount of time between when you give an estimate and when you actually start work on the project? RESIDENTIAL?

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Residential?...Residential what? Service type work, I would expect a start no more than two weeks, or when any custom ordered materials were available.

Residential construction?..It takes us sometimes 18months from intial proposal to construction start date. Even on small additions, we sometimes have contracts written and approved but don't start construction for several months.

Heck, got one kitchen remodel signed with a $1,000 deposit. The customer was working with our designer for product selection but has since gotten busy and we haven't heard from her in about a year.

2 weeks of lead time for me can easily be 12+ jobs per crew.

Benhamcarpetguy said:

2 weeks average. Sometimes as quick as a couple of days. I've had people call me back a year later saying"ok I'm ready, is that quote you gave me still good?"

Don

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I write 30 days right on the proposal.

I try not to write lead time on the proposal unless they are signing up with me at that very moment. Why? Because if they call me in two months and I have 4 weeks of lead time instead of 1 week, someones going to be pissed. Either they will be pissed if I have to make them wait, or the person I bump will be pissed because they have to wait, or I will be pissed for losing a job.

Mike Finley said:

Well, Don is it still good? How do you handle that one?

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Usually if I know it will be some time before they are ready to go, I only give them an estimate. A price range then, when they are ready, we'll sit down and go over they're selection and scope of work. I let them know they'll have a quote at that time. I don't really like estimates.

If I give a quote and people hint that they want to start now, but have to see how their money situation works out, I let them know that average material prices do rise a couple of times a year and if a couple of months go by there may be a slight increase.

After a year there almost definately be an increase.

Don