Nuagedesigns
New Member
Is it just me or does it seam like in the past 12 months I have been doing more and more site surveys and estimates to the tune of the customers just wasting our time.
How does everyone handle site surveys? Is anyone charging to go out and measure potentially decent size projects? It takes a good amount of time to go out and survey the job let alone if I need to bring the bucket truck out. I have been using google maps and street view alot more with customers while I am on the phone I will bring up there location and get as much info as possibble without leaving the shop. We have been pretty good at capturing screen shots and scaling to relevant size for replacing existing backlit faces etc.
We dont like "ball parking" or "shooting from the hip" on prices so it does take a fair amount of time to create each estimate. We use Cyrious Software for all invoicing and estimating so our estimates are pretty detailed as far as materials used and all components itemized. We pride ouselves on being upfront with all costs and what materials we are using so if any questions arise everything is clearly stated in writing. Although you hate to turn away work or let the big one slip though your hand its getting out of control at all the requests for estimates and site surveys.
My wife who handles much of the etimating is just getting incredibly overloaded and frusterated at all the time that goes into these estimates for the customer to either drag their feet on something that was a rush to estimate. Or the simple fact the email us back that they have another company that will do the job for 40% less, but when they show us their estimate its a simple email or quickbooks estimate giving no details on materials used, cost for sign vs. labor estimate simply just says:
(SIGNS & Install $XX.XX)
All this is my rant of the day after yes a site survey today out in the cold this AM at a balmy 3*F. Customer had an unexpected water pipe burst at a medical officce during renovation and has to move to a new location over the weekend. Job would be for 6 seperate acrylic backlit faces and 4 dibond building signs. All to which they would like installed Monday if possibble and oh ya a banner installed on old location tommorrow stating that they have moved. Took pictures even did quick mockups which isnt common practice but was simple text and easy to do for visual purposes(25 mins) created an estimate and sent off. Followed with a phone call re-explained everything they loved everything I came up with. Then called back and wanted to remove 1 sign at a time and ask cost. My estimate was clearly itemized by each sign why cant people simply subtract anymore? I told them that I needed an answer and deposit by 3:30 so that I could order materials and specific translucent vinyl by 4:00 to insure a Monday install.
No call or email untill I get an email at 9pm asking for yet another price minus 1 banner?? Really?? And here is my cell phone maybe we can chat tommorrow. we are closed on Saturdays which I already told this customer.
End Rant!
How does everyone handle site surveys? Is anyone charging to go out and measure potentially decent size projects? It takes a good amount of time to go out and survey the job let alone if I need to bring the bucket truck out. I have been using google maps and street view alot more with customers while I am on the phone I will bring up there location and get as much info as possibble without leaving the shop. We have been pretty good at capturing screen shots and scaling to relevant size for replacing existing backlit faces etc.
We dont like "ball parking" or "shooting from the hip" on prices so it does take a fair amount of time to create each estimate. We use Cyrious Software for all invoicing and estimating so our estimates are pretty detailed as far as materials used and all components itemized. We pride ouselves on being upfront with all costs and what materials we are using so if any questions arise everything is clearly stated in writing. Although you hate to turn away work or let the big one slip though your hand its getting out of control at all the requests for estimates and site surveys.
My wife who handles much of the etimating is just getting incredibly overloaded and frusterated at all the time that goes into these estimates for the customer to either drag their feet on something that was a rush to estimate. Or the simple fact the email us back that they have another company that will do the job for 40% less, but when they show us their estimate its a simple email or quickbooks estimate giving no details on materials used, cost for sign vs. labor estimate simply just says:
(SIGNS & Install $XX.XX)
All this is my rant of the day after yes a site survey today out in the cold this AM at a balmy 3*F. Customer had an unexpected water pipe burst at a medical officce during renovation and has to move to a new location over the weekend. Job would be for 6 seperate acrylic backlit faces and 4 dibond building signs. All to which they would like installed Monday if possibble and oh ya a banner installed on old location tommorrow stating that they have moved. Took pictures even did quick mockups which isnt common practice but was simple text and easy to do for visual purposes(25 mins) created an estimate and sent off. Followed with a phone call re-explained everything they loved everything I came up with. Then called back and wanted to remove 1 sign at a time and ask cost. My estimate was clearly itemized by each sign why cant people simply subtract anymore? I told them that I needed an answer and deposit by 3:30 so that I could order materials and specific translucent vinyl by 4:00 to insure a Monday install.
No call or email untill I get an email at 9pm asking for yet another price minus 1 banner?? Really?? And here is my cell phone maybe we can chat tommorrow. we are closed on Saturdays which I already told this customer.
End Rant!
