We all create quotes in some form or another to get jobs...
Just curious how everyone approaches the 'mechanics' creating the quote from the site visit.
Do you use a well tried and tested form and fill in out on site (but for your eyes only) ?
Do you take notes, go back and use a pricing spreadsheet ?
Do you use any automated method - quote software (like some builders/civils use) ?
If you've got any clever pricing formulas, have these come from years of experience, suppliers guidelines or Spons type bibles ?
Once you've got your 'price', what do you do next?
If you use an accounts package, do you use their "Estimate/Quote" options (like in QB) ?
Do you put T&C's on the back of document, enclose it as seperate document ?
Do you include supporting graphics/plans/pictures ?
Stick it in a 'template' email or word document and email it out?
Do you print it out, enclose any 'collateral' and send it to the client ?
Create something bespoke for every quote ?
Views: 591
Replies
I get in contractors for all the hard stuff but for my planting-
I work on being able to prepare 2-3 metres square of ground per hour/ per person (depending on weed/ root coverage)
I can plant 20 shrubs, 30 perennials or 10 climbers an hour
I work on 3-7 plants per metre square plus bulbs, depending on the density that the client wants.
I produce a planting list with the estimated price, plus a quote with the price of the preparation, sourcing, planting - T's & C's with the listing, printed out onto headed notepaper from a word template
best one was £600 conifers, she agreed 3mths time..... she waited and no paper work/email nothing just trust.
i always will take a chq and trust (some post on or drop of if lucky)......... commercial extra £3 for cheque admin.
For commercial maintenance contracts i have a minimum fee per hour from which i would charge.
I came to this price by market researching what other commercial maintenance companies were charging per site and then estimating how long that particular site would take, thus bringing me out with a price per hour, which so far has not let me down and covers all costs with a % of profit too.
I think every business has different ways of obtaining quotes and each individual has to learn what way is succesfull for them.
I'm interested in this part, perhaps you can clarify? :
"Also, as a member of the APL - Professional Association of Landscapers, belong to Trustmark which enables me to provide a 6 year warranty on all my work. This usually is a job winner!"
How does being a member of these organisations 'enable' you to offer a 6 year warranty...surely anyone can offer this regardless? - or are you saying that through these organisations you pay for an insurance policy that covers your client in the event of a problem?
If its a simple tidy up/clearence job or someone wanting regular maintenance then 95% of the time i give a quote on the spot.
Prefer to send any written quotes by email as a PDF with T&C's as seperate file, if posting or hand delivered then T&C's printed on the back of quote.
Within the accounts package I can create products lists i.e a One square metre of Turf, or sandstone paving per sm. So when I come to build the costs I just select the product and enter the quantity. For labour I have some basic formulas for how long things take and use the product list to enter the number of days required. The client then receives an estimate and they can see exactly what materials are required for the job and what the costs are. I also give a summary of key T&Cs mainly concerning overuns, extras and unforeseens that may add additional costs. I have only had one client who would only accept a fixed cost estimate I wasn't prepared to do that and we lost the work. But it was for fixing poor work carried out by a previous builder so I wasn't that concerned.
The software I use is Business Basics in was created by a company called MYOB sometine ago but they have been adsorbed into a company called Mamut http://www.mamut.com/uk/employee5to50/