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Hi Kyle
Welcome to LJN (formally :->)!
Andy's advice is good above: take a camera with you and, if you play it the way you should, you will come back with images and a commitment to, as Andy says, 'go away and email a quote within 24 hrs'. The pictures will help you considerably when bringing a quote together, and in these circumstances your fellow members will be able to help too :->
When you're on site for the quote you'll obviously be busy communicating with Landscaping co and/or client - dialogue - but at the back of your mind you need to be assessing the following. It's certainly not an exhaustive list - I don't know the specific task(s) you're quoting for tomorrow, but nonetheless you should be quietly considering.......
What is access like? Width, gradient, steps, distance to/from work area to materials/waste area, etc.
What does the work involve? In your mind break it down and think - do I have the kit to complete the job profitably? Is it necessary to hire kit in? What obstacles might I face when I've started work (build in contingency to your quote if necessary).
Is there the opportunity for further - perhaps regular - work at this particular client's property? Sometimes it is a gut instinct to present a quote for initial services based on the (good/qualified) assumption that if you perform well, you will be asked back. By that I mean you run a (slight) ''loss leader'' - you slightly underprice because you know when you have completed the first task the client will immediately ask you back based solely on your excellent abilities to manage outdoor spaces.
Is the client vague? Question them, and at the back of your mind know the firm answers you need to hear to do a good job. If, at the end of the consultation, there is still vagueness despite your gentle approach to understanding their needs - consider adding extra contingency to your quote - or walk away politely.
Oh gosh, there's plenty more of that thinking around, even while you're having dialogue with a potential client - and your Landscaping Co contact too ;-> Don't be phased by it, but also recognise you need to be doing multiple thought processes to be successfully profitable in your quote and/or decision to accept the opportunity of work thereafter.
One final consideration for now: the landscaping co. How did they get to know you? I'd really benefit from strategic alliances such as this with lots of other quality outdoor space management providers but they can be like hen's teeth most of the time because a) I have high standards I want adhered too and b) the best usually have such arrangements in place already. You write you have been approached.....I have in the past and it turned out to be a can of worms. Good thinking and good dialogue during the consultation served me well!
Cheers, Eugene
If in doubt ask, if you can postpone a price (perfectly acceptable) do so and then stick it up here and we'll help as much as we can. But don't delay on getting back to your customer if you say they'll have it Monday make sure they do!
Good luck.
Adding to the above good advice;
Stand back from the job, get an overall spec clear in your mind and commit to paper asap
Do not rely on your memory from a site visit especially as you may well be under pressure.
When away from site, break the 'job' down into sections, then break down into small quantifiable tasks.
On a pad or PC, set up a simple chart/excel sheet and for every task, estimate as applicable;
Labour
Materials
Hire Costs
Sub contractor costs
Then you sum across to give a sub total
You can then build a price that is logical and importantly you can refer back to and understand any assumptions.
If elements have to change it easier to go direct to the task and modify it.
Good luck :-)
Thanks guys!! this is all really useful and i fully appreciate your time :) Ive had a good read into different quotes and i know my own worth. If i go see the job and say I hink this will take 3 days which i think the contractor is looking for,he txt me earlier and said "not to worry, I will make sure its ok" so i dont feel he is wanting to catch me out but just see i have the skill to perform certain tasks in a respectable time slot. I will ask to bring the quote away and share with you guys and see what you think. i feel its just a overgrown tidy up which should be an easier job to start with as far as pricing go's :)
Just be careful out there!
Kyle - subs to THE HUB are great VFM :->
Cheers, Eugene
kyle bott said:
I will be careful and I will be online to hear your views and hear your feedback
Thanks alot :)
One thing is for sure, quoting takes time to perfect and if you get it wrong then dont be down hearted. Just treat it as a lesson learned and you will be more accurate the next time. Good luck
I do not give a quote there and then,I just say I wil put it in writing. Gives you time to think about it.
I listen to customer, asking a few questions if needed, then write them down and repeat what the customer wants.