chasing up estimates

[brendanbreeze]

Hello all,

I measured up a job yesterday then came away and put together an estimate, then this morning I went round and hand delivered it. the customer wasn't in so I put it through the letter box. Just wondering what to do now? How long should I wait for them to ring, and what if they don't ring? should I leave it at that or give them a call?

Many thanks - Brendan

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

dear brendanbreeze just leave well alone, some people can read your desperation from being to keen and use this to drive your price down good luck mate

[brian c]

as above,give them a few days at least before ringing them up and asking if the quote was ok.

[brendanbreeze]

Thanks for the advice.

[Terry Cottar]

if they dont ring it usually means you are too dear or something else is wrong i never contact them again. u can usually tell when your there if they arte going to use u

tel

[frankenfurter]

I've never ever chased up a quote, just ready for them to get in contact.

[LM Ceramics]

i have chased them up when i havent had much work on as you have nothing to lose and on the few occasions when ive done it ive actually got the job but i would leave it a week at least

[doug boardley]

I'd leave it a week or so and then ring. You want to know if you are likely to be booked or to free up the dates in your diary. Nothing worse than customer ringing after about 6 weeks asking if you'll be round to start in the morning

[diamondtiling]

There is nothing wrong with ringing prospective customers back, Its called a curtesy call, they might have a few questions about your quote and you ringing them back is a good way to let them know you want to help answer those questions, always always ring back, you get good feedback this way. On the subject of Quotes/Estimates, a quote is a legally binding price, you may run into un-foreseen circumstances after you start the job, plaster falling off walls, bouncing floors etc, it could be anything, my letterhead has 3 boxes at the top, Estimate,Quote, Invoice, ticking estimate allows you to negotiate the situation should any extras crop up.

[brendanbreeze]

Thanks for the advice Doug,

Your reply has raised another question in my head. When I was round there yesterday we didn't discuss when I could start and I haven't written anything on my estimates about it. I guess I should have? But thought we'd arrange the dates if/when they accepted my price.

[chris.tiling]

I would leave it a week if you have nothing else in, then call...if you have loads on, then dont worry too much. It is always good to get back in contact as a courtesy call - you will possibly find out why you didnt get the job if it wasnt to be (and the customer is honest!?!?!). Or they may just be thinking things through / waiting on another quote - either way, they dont forget about your quote

Just seen your latest post - use the follow up call to say you can fit them in xx date. If it is really soon - you have "had a cancellation and can squeeze them in!" If it is a way off, then you want to give them the opportunity to book now before the wait gets too long

[smurf21]

Brendan i had a customer ring me two weeks ago to start a job i delivered a quote on in october last year obviously all the mat prices had gone up which he accepted but still got the job so he was obviously interested in the quote just not ready to have he work done at that time so just leave them with quote and move on to the next one, If you ring to see if the quote was ok they may try to get you to reduce the price and if you can reduce the price you where to dear to start with ,if your winning jobs at your current rate then your prices are ok , So post your quote and leave them with it.

[windy]

I always chase up quotes,i always tell the customer by dropping it into conversation,that i will give them a courtesy call to see if they need any more help.Remember you will not be the only one quoting for that job you could quiet easily forgotten by them remember there buying you not that piece of paper.The days of sitting there thinking once you have posted that quote thats the end hoping you might hear from them.

[brian c]

For future reference,always always try and get the deal done on the first visit.You should set yourself a daily rate that you are willing to work for and add materials then you will be able to give a quote there and then.This tbh is what people want,not all customers want a written quotation.This is what i find and it works for me,the hard bit at the moment is getting into there houses ..because the phone is quiet..

[diamondtiling]

Cant believe I spelt courtesy as curtesy............DDDDooooohhhhhh!!!!!!!

[doug boardley]

Cant believe I spelt courtesy as curtesy............DDDDooooohhhhhh!!!!!!!

lol use a spell check on your quotes/estimates

[chris.tiling]

For future reference,always always try and get the deal done on the first visit.You should set yourself a daily rate that you are willing to work for and add materials then you will be able to give a quote there and then.This tbh is what people want,not all customers want a written quotation.This is what i find and it works for me,the hard bit at the moment is getting into there houses ..because the phone is quiet..

Agreed - I rarely do any written quotes as try to get date agreed there and then. If I cant because I need to cost up unusual materials, then I would call with the figure the following day or whenever agreed with them

[inspiredandy]

Hi Brendon,

I always get quote to prospect within 48 hours, and then ring 3 days later to see if thyey need any more advice. They will then usually tell you wether or not they have made their minds up what they are doing. If they are not yet ready to make a decision, leave them to mull it over and remind them that you are available should they have any questions. If your quote is valid for 30 days, nearer the time, send out a reminder. I personally dont think this shows desperation, it just shows that you run an efficiant business.

[lcjohno]

i always give the price there and then and explain (if needed) there may be extra costs depending on what tiles they get etc. I always ask them when they will want the job doing before i leave, its good if you make out you'll be able to fit them in really soon if they want it doing, pretend your moving some other jobs around to fit it in. Make them think your going out of your way for them.

[Ajax123]

If possible do the deal at the same time as giving the quote - always ask for the order and find out when they want it doing.
If not forthcoming leave 1 week then make courtessey call (is that how you spell courtessey) see if they will talk to you. If you can obtain competitor prices that is good as it will give you an edge - Don't take what the customer says as gospel though cos he will want to beat your price down. If you want the job and are happy to compete on price then do so. If not - and this is always my favorite bit - sell yourself on the benefits of what you do - Speed, quality of work, number of satisfied customers, locality etc etc, take portfolio pics of jobs you have done and use these as an advert. If you can do a deal at this point do so.
If not then ring them every couple of weeks to chase them up. Most people will look to place the order fairly quickly so should not need chasing too much. Most people will also place an order with someone they are talking to so if you don't talk to them they probably won't use you.
If you do lose out it is always useful to try and find out why. Most will say price but some will give you information like they always use a certain tiler or the tiler offered to some other work e.g bit of plastering and stuff like that. That gives you a chance to develop your own sales pitch and potentially what services you might want to offer.
Remember most people think they buy on price but in fact for most price is only a part of it. Most people buy from people they think they are getting a good deal from even if that deal is more expensive than the competition. That deal aint just about what you stick on the floor.