6 quotes in 48hrs and still no work

[david campbell]

Please don't take my comments the wrong way, but do you not close the deal when you visit to do the estimate?

At the point when I provide pricing to my potential customers I discuss dates, costs etc.

"I can start on Monday the ??th, is that date convenient to you?"
"Is there any reason why we can't book a date now?"
"When would you like me to start?"
"I've got 2 more quotes to do today, can we fix a date now, or are you happy to wait should I win these other quotations?"
"I've got a space in my diary for next week after a plumber let me down, if it's okay to book you for that week, I'll include the materials for free?"

etc, etc...

Not teaching anyone to suck eggs, but close the customer there and then and you'll sleep a lot more comfortable.

i know what you mean CS,this is what i usually do but these customers seem to be wanting 3/4 quotes on there job,as i said, before xmas i was leaving these houses with up to 5 from 6 anyway another qoute to give this afternoon and i aint leaving the house until the jobs mine!

 

[cornish_crofter]

I find that offering a more diverse range of services helps. If you can do more than one thing then you're more likely to get your foot in the door.

For example, I think I've managed to solve a flooding problem someone's garage. They have a storm drain around the back of it and wanted to increase the slope to take the water away from the back. I was hesitent to go down this route and instead suggested clearing away the back and the side of the garage to make sure the existing storm drain is working efficiently before altering it. This is work that would have to have been done anyway to create access.

The customers - couple in their 70s, decided to go with this. I spent 3 hours on this and got rid of the resultant rubbish. It's rained both yesterday and today and they have no flooding :hurray:.

The old gent is now discussing me renewing his shed roof when the weather gets better.

 

[david campbell]

alas 2 different quotes this afternoon and 2 jobs ,feeling a bit more up beat now especially when one is a rather large floor and its a supply and fit job! woohoo! just hoping get a bit of a response from the others now!:hurray::hurray::hurray::hurray:

 

[trevortine]

Hey David, im from ek too and have been chocka right through and am still the same way, the credit crunch doesnt affect the high end of the market where i get most of my work from, so for now its still happy days! I done a couple of quotes locally recently and again usually tie up the deal before i leave. I aint and will never drop prices to suit the market or compete with anyone else, my price is what it is and quality reflects in that. I wouldnt be too worried mate, jan is usually slow at the best of times and i really dont think we are bein hit as hard up here as it seems down south. Granted there is a slow down but it aint gonna last forever. Got a massive job comin off in march/april so maybe be lookin for some help!