Percentage of quotes

[Ty Korrigan]

My acceptance rate with new customers fluctuates wildy with how much work we have booked in and how many new pairs of boots the wife has bought recently.

 

Your wife buys size 10 Airstreams...?

Ty

[Mark Bolam]

I wish they were as cheap as that Stu....

[benedmonds]

This is going to be another "I'm so great" thread isn't it?

 

Don't trash the thread. If your not interested don't take part..

 

As a business owner this is interesting and important to some of us.. My conversion rate is significantly lower than some are stating, I don't know if they are guesses or actual figures. I run at about 60%.

 

Year - Quotes - conversion rate

2015 - 920 - 0.6

2014 - 500 - 0.6

2013 - 573 - 0.69

2012 - 501 - 0.64

2011 - 421 - 0.55

2010 - 458 - 0.57

2009 - 370 - 0.59

2008 - 298 - 0.63

2007 - 333 - 0.68

2006 - 278 - 0.67

2005 - 148 - 0.62

2004 - 95 - 0.64

 

We discussed it in 2014

 

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/business-management/76913-number-quotes-over-10-years.html

[Mark Bolam]

I think it also depends hugely on what type of setup you run.

[aspenarb]

95% + on site clearance

50% or less of domestics

99% of Rhodi/laurel/gorse and general scrub bashing

 

Bob

[benedmonds]

I think it also depends hugely on what type of setup you run.

 

You say that but my business has changed from a 2 man band with a truck and 6 inch chipper to 10 or 11 guys with 5 trucks, 3 chippers, 2 stump grinders etc.. but my conversion rates have remained pretty similar..

 

I don't know if it is a good or bad figure?

 

My feeling is if you are getting over 90 percent you could afford to push prices...

[Ty Korrigan]

O.K being serious now.

I find that chasing larger contracts means I spend pro-rata less time quoting than on smaller domestic work thus freeing me up for...well work.

Ty

[Mark Bolam]

That's interesting Ben.

I won so many more when I was smaller, apart from big jobs, but looking back I think a 'busy fool' element was in place!

I pretty much know straight away now on 'cold' jobs if we'll be in the running.

Lose out if they're too small to gardeners, or too big to bigger outfits with bigger kit.

I'm happy with my niche.

As Meatloaf said, 'Two out of three ain't bad', and I wouldn't argue with him.

[Mark Bolam]

O.K being serious now.

 

I find that chasing larger contracts means I spend pro-rata less time quoting than on smaller domestic work thus freeing me up for...well work.

 

Ty

 

 

Valid point.

An hour-long round trip to quote an ornamental cherry reduction with Felcos (and she's getting six quotes) can take the same time as a week-long conny death-fest in a paddock.

[oldwoodcutter]

I dont keep records of quotes that are successful but it feels like around half are won. Some days i can price 3 jobs and not get any, or another day get them all.

Admittedly i do now sidestep jobs that i can smell are going to be trouble, or overprice ones that look awkward with a capital A.

But,by and large,yes about 50%. and that includes a few of those overpriced ones