invoices contracts estimates etc

[Ceramico tiling]

Hi all

I am curious what you guys all do with regards to job estimates,client contracts,deposits etc.

I have always just worked on a word of mouth type basis but have to step it up now and this all gets a bit hazy if you know what I mean.

Do you guys actually have a contract that you get the customer to sign before work comences?,,and is it easy enough to get materials deposits etc.Any help appreciated.

thanks

 

[Rich]

I give a full quote via Email, dont get the customer to sign anything but it is very clearly stated on the quote that if anything changes or I can not get on with the job the price changes. Also I dont ask for materials deposits as I get my gear on credit and pay for it when I am paid.

 

[surflaur]

Rule of thumb, if the job has an outlay of materials more than £500 I usually ask for this in advance or get the customer to pay in the store

 

[Andy Allen]

most of my quotes i do when looking at the job gives the client the chance to book me there and then.

there all written on carbon paper, i keep one copy, client gets the other copy, stapled to my copy are what i call my notes about the job, it just reminds of prep work need, materials ect., i take deposits only if im supplying tiles over £500, on the bottom of my quotes it states 'payment on completion'.

when the jobs 100% finished and the client is 100% happy with the work they get presented with an invioce and i get presented with a cheque, they get left with a hand full of cards and a hand shake and its on to the next one.

 

[Ian]

Pretty much the same as Andy for me, carbon quote/invoice pads. I never take deposits for addy, grout, trim etc , but if I'm supplying tiles I take payment in full for the tiles.

 

[Stewart]

Customer gets fully itemised quote and schedule of works. They then have to sign off on the quote and our T&C. We normally only take deposits on jobs over 2 grand and payment is on completion. If I have any extras, the customer has to give me written confirmation accepting the extra costs before I'll do them. This sounds a pain, but most customers have email on their phone, so only takes minutes to sort out.

All my paperwork is done on my mac, with a file on every job I've done, which includes all my notes when doing the quote, materials used and cost and profit.

 

[Ceramico tiling]

Thanks guys makes more sense now.