-
Quoting and supplying measurements
We’ve quoted someone for a sign job and they are asking for all the measurements too for ‘approval’.
Considering we did a site visit to get the measurements, which probably took 2-3 hours of our day, we don’t really see why we should provide this info as it just makes it easy for other companies to quote without doing any donkey work.
Would you do the same in this situation?
-
14 Replies
-
I think you have to give them the sizes. It’s not unreasonable of them to request the specifications in order to decide if they want you to do this job or not. Yes they may be simply wishing to obtain some comparison prices – but that’s a chance you take
-
Absolutely correct, I would not give any details away, just give a quotation on the measurements you have, stating that detailed drawings will be provided for approval, and confirmation on aceptance of the quotation.
Peter
-
They have probably already had other companies come out to quote and take their own measurements, so I don’t see what your problem is. I have been out on at least three occasions and met other signmakers opposite measuring up. On one occasion, I was first there so supllied my ‘competitors’ with the measurements to save them time. When it comes down to it, it’s who gives them the best price for the job.
Dave
-
Surely the client is entitled to know whether his sign measures 8ft x 2ft or 16ft x 4ft. You can’t offer a quotation without telling the customer what he will be getting 😕
-
My quotes are quite comprehensive and already include the sizes of each and every sign so I wouldn’t have had the same problem. To be honest I thought everyone else quoted the same way.
I can’t see that you are giving to much away because anyone else that has quoted would have had to have done some sort of site survey and even if they had to go back for exact sizes should have good enough sizes to do a quote.If you are worried that you will lose the job and be out of pocket for your time for an accurate site survey then you could always tell them that you could only provide this info if they were to pay a survey fee which would be deductable from the job should you be successful.
-
Would tend to agree with the Phil & Peter posts above. Been there a few times and it’s SO tempting to introduce a few clerical errors (like adding on 10mm to something that to fit INTO a recess), but not yet resorted to such underhanded methods!
I usually hand over a basic size list. No construction methods, material recommendations or types.
eg. Main sign – 2305x450mm…
They want a size list – they get a size list…you win some & you lose some no matter what you do. Could be worse – could be a tender that took 2 DAYS to measure and you’re up against maybe 5 other companies.
-
Dave, this isn’t a hi-jack because it is all related !!!
If you just quote a size for each sign and no materials etc..etc… what sort of follow up do you do, because if you quote the job using say for example a di-bond panel and someone else quotes on correx then you are going to seem really expensive.
I have always tried to include as much detail as possible in the hope that the customer could see that I knew what I was doing. -
quote martin:Dave, this isn’t a hi-jack because it is all related !!!
If you just quote a size for each sign and no materials etc..etc… what sort of follow up do you do, because if you quote the job using say for example a di-bond panel and someone else quotes on correx then you are going to seem really expensive.
I have always tried to include as much detail as possible in the hope that the customer could see that I knew what I was doing.Perhaps I should clarify!
I usually give VERY comprehensive quotes, with materials, construction methods etc. BUT, if, before I’ve done that they request a list of sizes (and it’s damn obvious what they want ’em for) – they get a list of sizes. NOT a quote.(If only to keep them on-side for future reference). I’ll either get the job or not when the quote goes in – and as it’s usually completely unreliable companies who ask for it, they are usually purely price driven and that’s not my market. If I’m pricing di-bond & they are doing correx and they go for the cheap quote – it’s not my problem when it falls apart. I can do without cheapskate customers!
-
Dave, Thanks for explaining that, when I read your post I thought your actual quotes didn’t include materials etc which was why I said you could seem expensive compared to others.
I don’t think I have ever had a customer ask for sizes before I had actually quoted but I can see where you are coming from now you have added the second post. -
hi, just my opinion and experience..
on a number of occassions i have been to see a customer and they have vaugely given me some basic ideas/ dimensions, based on that i then go away and prepare a quote.
on a follow up call i then discover that not only have the signs been done, but the customer tells me i had "over quoted" and then i find that the dimensions are completely different, usually much smaller than i had quoted for, explaining the difference in the price quoted.
so on conclusion..sometimes i think it is better if dimensions, materials etc are quoted as part of the specification so that if the customer is gunna shop around at least they should be able to get a like for like quote.
cheers
stephen -
I don’t really see the problem. We tend to give proofs to give the client an idea of what we are going to do.
Last week we did a quote. They got other quotes and told us they had gotten quotes half the price of ours. We said are you crazy? save your phone calls from ringing us and get them to do it.
This week they called us back saying they liked the proofs we gave them with our quotes and they weren’t happy with what the other cheaper company proposed. So the other company just quoted on size without the design and they gave them the job. They now think they can get our design for the same price.
That’s the game were in and it’s like not you can compare apples with apples. When it comes down to it you have to educate your customers that the slightly added expense of a better sign will get them ten fold the business from it. If your dealing with customers who just want the cheapest quote then move on.
-
I always supply approximate sizes only on my quotes, but just out of interest, how many people supply a visual or a proof, free of charge with the quote? I only do it for existing customers, new ones who I am sure are just obtaining as many quotes as possible just get a written quote.
-
Hi, we too do not supply any type of design proof with the quotation.
We would usually state that no design work will commence or proofs supplied until the price is agreed and accepted.
stephen
-
I think it is quite often a judgement call, if they are existing customers and you know that you have the work then there is no problem. If it’s a new customer I have to decide if I can trust them enough or if they are just shopping around. Some people charge an artwork charge before any visual leaves the premises which is another way to do it.
Just recently I have been using a laptop so when you go to see the customer you can show them the artwork but if they ask for a proof you can’t give them one. Seems to work OK.
Log in to reply.
