To Charge or not to charge?

[Jill Marie Welsh]

I don’t charge for an estimate unless the job is more than 25 miles from home. Then it’s about $50, which I usually deduct from the price of the job unless the person was a real jagoff.
😀
I have done complicated estimates that have taken many hours of figuring but not charged, it’s all part of the beginning of a client relationship.
Like Mom always said, you gotta make calls to get results.
That means showing up on time, (even if the client doesn’t)
taking notes and measurements, photographs, etc.
Providing a concise and decent-looking written proposal.
I keep my notes and measurements in a separate book.
That way the next guy they go to has to measure it all out himself rather than copying my bid.

But I never do sketches with an estimate.
I don’t even turn on my computer without a deposit.
Love….Jill

[David Rogers]

quote TonyMoore:

When creating layouts and doing site surveys, how many of you charge for your time.

Site survey – normally free if within 25miles but I will always ask what the rough size and their expected spend is going to be ….I’ve been caught out once or twice over the years – driving 30 miles for an A4 sign described over the phone as "we need a sign for the side of our building – no, not sure of what size it’ll need to be, but quite big".

Again – same principal if getting called 100miles out – establish the expected budget…only an idiot drives 100miles for a £50 job. eg. If I’m going 100miles to install etch film I don’t mind going to measure up if it’s already looking like a £2k job. Otherwise chrage fuel per mile plus your normal charge rate an hour…both ways.

quote :

I have found it increasingly frustrating that you can spend a lot of time pricing up jobs that the customers then decide they dont want anymore.

Called speculating to accumulate. If you called out 2 builders / decorators for a quote for extensive work – BOTH would have to put in the work, perhaps taking many hours…only one would get the work…or you realise that you cannot proceed with the planned work for whatever reason. and both are left high & dry.

quote :

I frequently take a deposit to do van layouts as this stops people showing your designs to other sign companies to get a cheaper job done.

What are your views on this touchy subject?

Unless they KNOW what you are capable of would they part with money for a design? I will do designs and get a deposit when they come in to see them – or they are so heavily defaced in an email that only the scummiest people hawk them round the others in the city.

I’ll be a little controversial now: If the service is impeccable, the designs are on target and the prices reasonable – people won’t go elsewhere. People normally just want to hear how easy you think it will be – how simple making their dream happen is…do that and they’ll hand you cash just to take the hassle of going round 5 other guys away. Like any other supply business – make the client feel special. These are the same values I use when purchasing.

[TonyMoore]

thanks for your feedback guys.