Smallest job you will go out and quote for

[cr0ft]

By this I don't mean go out with a view to doing the work if they like your price, I just mean an actual quote appointment to prepare a formal quote

Had a load of muppets ask me to go out and quote for one hour jobs recently and they have been getting upset when I say that it doesn't make business sense to go and quote for a 1 hour job, here is my price.

 

[SimonG]

Normally half a day. But depends how far.

 

[kay-jay]

anything less than 300 quid gets an estimate over the phone and i explain possible reasons for inaccuracy
if they agree in principal then i will go and do the job and my bill will be within +/-10% of the estimate.

if they dont agree in principal then i aint wasting my time going to provide an accurate quote which will as likely as not also be rejected.

 

[erpkid]

Generally on small jobs day rate and half day rate over phone. Most of our work is very local so would probably pop in to have a look / assess further potential though. Assuming you have a sign written van you are getting the name out and appearing busy / popular which can help.

 

[mfgs]

To be honest I like to go and see the job and give a fixed price. It is also good to get a connection with the customer, talk them through it etc. I get pretty much every small job I go and quote for. It does take up a lot of my evening etc, but it builds my client base so will be worth it in the long run. Obviously breakdown visits etc are different and people are just told the hourly charges and a rough guide on the likely time.

 

[Linkyplumb]

I always look at the smaller jobs, as they are the ones that normally bite you on the arze.
That said,I would not drive 30 miles to look at a syphon change

 

[woodsy]

It would probably need to be half a days work to go give a price., otherwise I say it will between x and y as I've learnt early on that I was spending many evenings running round. The final straw / penny dropped when after travelling about 7miles to look at a washing machine new installation I was told I was £5 dearer than somebody else and as a result they would be going with the other guy.

 

[REDSAW]

weed them out first,
give a rough guide over the phone plus 25% then say i can be more accurate when you see the job. also mention you will be able to do it when you arrive if thats agreeable then you dont get too many time wasters!