Quotes - I never hear anything back!

[Gazzer]

So what do you do when they say they're getting 2 or 3 quotes? I can't see how I can "nail it there and then " when they more often than not they say that to me.Well thats why you have to give them a good price to start with
Are you saying you go in there with your tape measure and calculator and work out the sq. meterage work out a price and give it to them there and then? Yeah i do as long as its not to complicated.
Do you take a price list for materials? I have a list of the main materials i use but not tiles so i can get close to the price

Sorry to hear about the work situation but i am not far from you ( Stourbridge) and have been tiling for 31 years. I wish i could get your prices, I do sometimes but i would rather drop prices when work is in short supply. I sub contract too, so i dont keep all my eggs in the same basket so to speak.
I work for private, Bathroom and kitchen companies, Shop Fitters (i travel all over), Plumbers and Builders.
All the best.

 

[davy_G]

So what do you do when they say they're getting 2 or 3 quotes? I can't see how I can "nail it there and then " when they more often than not they say that to me. Are you saying you go in there with your tape measure and calculator and work out the sq. meterage work out a price and give it to them there and then?
Do you take a price list for materials?

Fair point Sibs. If they say they are getting a few quotes and you are not hearing back then call them as suggested and see if it was price that was beating yours. If so tell them good luck with the job but you still couldnt have quoted any cheeper for the quality of work you do. Thay might think a little about that.

Arrange to call them in a week or call back a week after quoting and if it is price you are loosing work then negotiate slightly but you still have to eat so dont drop like a stone. If i know someone else is quoting and i am busy i quote high as i dont need the work but vica verca if im quiet i will work for 80 quid a day to get a break-i have to eat as well.

I always go in with a measuring tape and use my mobiles calculator and can usually give a price within 10 minutes of looking at a job and discussing trims/boarders and problems with clients. Infact once you get used to it you can look at a room and know how long it will take and price accordingly, i use the tape to let them know what area of tiles to get.

I know roughly what materails cost but in Norn Iron people buy their own and i tell them to use my discount (40%) at my friendly tile shop. Then i know what im getting anyway. Or if i have to get them i just tell them they will pay me what i pay.

It gets easier once you are established as you may well be the only person quoting and as you have been recommended they actually want you to do the work. Stick with it, it can be slow to start with and takes alot of good jobs behind you before the odd referral comes through.

 

[wayne]

i always give quotes there and then. you should have an idea what materials cost etc.. just give them a price and see how it goes from there

 

[White Room]

I never give a price there and then, I make to many mistake's or miss somethink, I have to go home think about it and and then call them with the price, That's when you hear a reaction in their voice and know you if it's a yes or no. If they say yes then send an estimate to confirm the work's IMO.

 

[IvegotsTILE]

If I'm not supplying mats then I can work a price out there and then,about 85% of customers in my area expect the quote there and then.

 

[strongboes]

Sibs, why do you need to work out the meterage? I only do this if they need to know for buying tiles e.t.c

Full bathrooms on the whole take 3 to 4 days depending on size. So you know it's £450 - £600 before you even get there!

If your supplying adhesive trims e.t.c then just say price of items and say you'll use about x of these and x of this so will be about 80 quid or whatever for materials.

imo working out the metre and applying a price is the wrong way to go about it, ask them what they want, then look at each wall one at a time and think, how long will it take to do that? allocate it in 1/2 day blocks, then add another 1/2 a day for grouting and that's it.

As for giving your price when your not there then thats a big no no for me, if they dont like the price then thats that, you cant negotiate or explain why you are quoting your price, sale lost.

I know within the first 2 mins of being in a bathroom what my price is, from then on it's a question of gauging whether it's going to cost you more time or less depending on what they are telling you.

On monday I have 13 bathrooms to price all the same for the same developer, I already know that this price will be at least 30% less than a private customer, this developer goes only on price so I will have to put in my minimum, that if i get it, will i be pissed off doing them for that price? If you understand. But then on the upside i will have benefits of all the same so after first one should be flying!

Sorry if this has gone on a little long!

 

[wayne]

dont know how you can miss something on a job when you are there looking at it. if other tilers are quoting the job and give a price there and then chances are they will get the job rather than the customer waiting days for a price

 

[davy_G]

Sibs, why do you need to work out the meterage? I only do this if they need to know for buying tiles e.t.c

Full bathrooms on the whole take 3 to 4 days depending on size. So you know it's £450 - £600 before you even get there!

If your supplying adhesive trims e.t.c then just say price of items and say you'll use about x of these and x of this so will be about 80 quid or whatever for materials.

imo working out the metre and applying a price is the wrong way to go about it, ask them what they want, then look at each wall one at a time and think, how long will it take to do that? allocate it in 1/2 day blocks, then add another 1/2 a day for grouting and that's it.

As for giving your price when your not there then thats a big no no for me, if they dont like the price then thats that, you cant negotiate or explain why you are quoting your price, sale lost.

I know within the first 2 mins of being in a bathroom what my price is, from then on it's a question of gauging whether it's going to cost you more time or less depending on what they are telling you.

On monday I have 13 bathrooms to price all the same for the same developer, I already know that this price will be at least 30% less than a private customer, this developer goes only on price so I will have to put in my minimum, that if i get it, will i be pissed off doing them for that price? If you understand. But then on the upside i will have benefits of all the same so after first one should be flying!

Sorry if this has gone on a little long!

Im afraid i agree again. Decide what you need to work for, evaluate work and nail it there and then. If they think its too much consider how busy or not you are. Can you work for £50 a day or better to stay in bed. Only you can answer that. Big repeat jobs are guaranteed work and money, sites only involve one setting out per set of houses but you will not get £35 per m2.

You decide. In my opinion its better to be working for £50 a day than lying in bed. This doesnt do our trade any justice or be fair to my coleagues but if i have no work then as i have said i have to eat. This is how i started out and as i was alot slower than the pros i wasnt doing them any harm.

 

[sibs]

Cheers guys I appreciate all your comments

 

[White Room]

dont know how you can miss something on a job when you are there looking at it. if other tilers are quoting the job and give a price there and then chances are they will get the job rather than the customer waiting days for a price

You can't judge a book by it's cover and believe me many a time everythink look's great until you turn up and they forgot to mention this, that and the other and yes people do wait for quote's and I still get the job although 70% are recommendation the rest thru plumber's and other tradesmen