Quoting For Jobs......

[blayedrunner]

Keep going out diagnosing problems then supplying quote to repair. To never hear again. I dont think im expensive.... Anyone else got this problem????? Its doing my nut in!!!!!!

 

[Barry98]

the problem there matey is when you tell them whats wrong they go get the part and do them selfs. i always tell the its the over heat flux sensor unit

 

[blayedrunner]

How do you quote for that though?? Had a job at weekend, guy before quoted 5k to replace entire sysyem. I went in had a look, needed a new diverter valve so told them what was wrong an price. Dont hear back. I mean GRRRRRRRRR

 

[Puddle]

I do not give quotations for works that need diagnosing and do not know anyone that does,diagnosing is part of paid work and customers should pay for it,I inform customers this and what the minimum charge is,sometimes they say are you charging a call out,I say no,work is being done and that is chargeable,lets be fair,often the diagnosis takes longer that the repair or fitting a new part
You will always lose out big time if you go round telling people what needs replacing/doing to correct fault and leave them with that information free of charge,they will be right down the parts suppliers with their scrappy bit of paper asking for a pair pleasure switch ,therdumster or silicon floater !!!

imho

:90:

 

[royston]

yeah i always start charging as soon as the tools come out to play !! apart from tape measure when im measuring something up to price.

 

[blayedrunner]

Good plan, the whole free quotation thing gets in the way. But when you word it like that It makes sense. Thanks gents

 

[Puddle]

How do you quote for that though?? Had a job at weekend, guy before quoted 5k to replace entire sysyem. I went in had a look, needed a new diverter valve so told them what was wrong an price. Dont hear back. I mean GRRRRRRRRR

Thats a common trap,they tell you someone else wants a fortune to sort out,you open up because you feel sure you will get the work as can save them loads and do not charge,only trouble is no one quoted them 5 k really,goes in the same bracket as when they say they are going to spend 5k in the summer but just want it operational till then,coppleswolop,dangling a carrot for cheap price now

well grab that carrot and.................. and stick ................your bill on it !!

:gunsmilie:
imho

 

[woodsy]

Agree with what has been said - i fell into the same trap myself years ago trying to be mister nice guy and then being told by the parts supplier that that obscure part i had asked for a price on had been bought / asked for by a guy 1/2 hr after me. So now its chargeable as soon as any tools leave the van and when pricing up full heating systems its now listed as one radiator to lounge, not say 1800 x 600 double, until any orders have been placed. Been told by one of the lettings agencies that i do work for that the roofers who do work for them charge £50 for even estimates / quotes which they will knock off the bill if they get the job as they are sick of riding round just giving prices / advice.

 

[justlead1]

It may well be a case of studying a bit of salesmanship. Closing deals etc. Dont be like me just considering how long the job will take, wanting to please the punter, charging accordingly. Only to find that other charged 3 fold my price for similar work. Selling is a completely different job, so treat it as such.

 

[SimonG]

When somebody calls with a broken down oil boiler or heating not working or a cold radiator etc then the meter is running as soon as I turn up at the door. It gets fixed there and then or I order a part and return. Estimates are the same, very few specifics, no rad sizes, no pipe sizes, no sizes of things for bathrooms, no details of wet room systems etc. Basically no detail that can be taken and make life easier for somebody else to quote

 

[blayedrunner]

Thanks a lot guys. Some very useful advice.

 

[GQuigley67]

agreed when estimating etc all the details stay with me, customer gets a dumbed down less technical version lol

when you get your car/van diagnosed in the garage you don't expect it to be done for nothing it usually costs you 1 hour labour so who says we shouldnt be doing the same ? Just let customer know before you even leave the house that they will be getting charged.

Garages know that they can diagnose faults and then the person will probably want to fix it themselves, so they charge accordingly. We like to think that its only use special gas engineers that can take off boiler case and mess around with the parts inside but people do prefer to fix things themselves if they can

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

thats why i posted this here
http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/plumbing-forum/16916-hints-tips-secrets-plumbing-11.html

 

[mr nice]

Quote the customer a diagnostics fee, i charge £40.00 cash before i attend, on arrival i they signe my order and then on diagnosing fault and corrective action i quote them for the part and fitting charge i leave them with the paperwork they all sign for the complete repair and you are perceived to be organised honest and proffessional. No problem.