Are you putting quotes together tonight?

[Mark Bolam]

Once you put your spec together that sounds like a quote. You send them a spec then.

 

Call it what you want mate, I won't waste ink and paper on bullshitting timewasting domestic customers before they have accepted my quote.

 

They would probably just use it to go running off to the 'any genuine quote beaten - guaranteed' brigade, so they can whistle for a written quote.

[Stephen Blair]

I used to be in those situations daily, there are some folk on this planet that will never let you away with being perfect, they have no interest in paperwork, even a video tape of them saying stuff. They want a piece of you, they have spotted this weakness from the first few words in your making contact with them, that's why you are the ones they have chosen to do the job.

[hazzygawa]

Do you get a written go ahead for the work from the customer? I don't but I think I should to cover my ass.

[Mark Bolam]

If you want Hazzy, you can rock up on the day with everything in writing, and they can sign on the line. You can have a carbon copy if you want, it all depends on your situation.

 

I live in a rural environment, and it's a small world.

 

If I worked in town, I may do things a little differently.

 

One thing I do is never rush quoting. Discuss tiny details if necessary.

 

How high would you like the stump? This automatically kills the 'we are disappointed you left us with a stump' argument.

 

I can totally understand the reasoning for customers to have a quote in writing after they have seen Watchdog etc., but don't see the need for multiple quotes on paper?

 

Save the forests bro!

[Stephen Blair]

You just answered your own question .

[hazzygawa]

If you want Hazzy, you can rock up on the day with everything in writing, and they can sign on the line. You can have a carbon copy if you want, it all depends on your situation.

 

I live in a rural environment, and it's a small world.

 

If I worked in town, I may do things a little differently.

 

One thing I do is never rush quoting. Discuss tiny details if necessary.

 

How high would you like the stump? This automatically kills the 'we are disappointed you left us with a stump' argument.

 

I can totally understand the reasoning for customers to have a quote in writing after they have seen Watchdog etc., but don't see the need for multiple quotes on paper?

 

Save the forests bro!

 

Agreed:)

[MattyF]

I probably do about 95% verbal quotes... I'm starting to like the written quotes though as I'm crap at being put on the spot for a price and usually come up with a basic figure in my mind and give them that.. I get the job every time but rarely make above my day rate, quite often I feel more like I'm doing them a favour!! ...

 

Only once have I regretted not putting a written quote in and ironically it was the very first job I ever did self employed but the guy was a total **** any way and it gave me a very good insight on what to pick up on when dealing with awkward bad customers.

 

Any way quoting on a Friday night??? !!!

[Burytreeman]

Hi all for what its worth i have a few lines printed on the back of my business card saying price, plus vat etc. I write the price on the back of my card and tree work as discussed, Copy price into work diary sometimes with a brief spec of what to do for my ref.. memory sieve etc... if they want the job done they ring or decide on the day and i say sorry i have to go am busy... Simples...

[John Shutler]

i send a written quote for 90% of the jobs i look at, and specify everything down to stump height, grinding depth, what size stuff will be removed on a reduction etc

[jltree]

Handshake alright for pruning Mr Smiths tree in his garden, but when a council want X amount of trees removing and pruning and crown lifting etc you have to give a written quote. Never mind wasting the paper/ink bull **** as someone put it.. Its a technical age for the comercial client......