What do you bring on estimates?

"Most of the people in my area that want an over the phone bid are tight a$$ penny pinchers anyway and they are just calling as many co.'s as they can to try and get the cheapest price.IMO"

That's called a right as a consumer to do business in America. You treat customers like you do, I can see where your client base would certainly shop around more than necessary.

I'm not the cop of the Buzz, but tired of the shady characters polluting a respectable trade. I've sent clients to this site to read-up on tree problems, to understand my profession more, the issues we face and also to research problems most of us are presented with and can cooperatively suggest or find solutions for.

There's a site where distrust, bigotry, racism and hatred are bantered about freely alongside just a few tree-related issues, it'd be prudent for you to take your ignorance there.
 
[ QUOTE ]
It goes without saying that creating a client base, whether in-person or electronically, goes much smoother if we don't assume the person inquiring about our work is a "moron".

[/ QUOTE ]

I think Easy is illustrating the art of "filtering." If a person is so dim witted as to think you could give them any kind of ball park figure over the phone, then you don't want to work for them. I know he isn't making up that conversation either... I've had the same conversation, and I'd probably make the same assessment of that individual (i.e. Moron).

Our estimate car is equipped with a small spade, tape measure, soil compaction gauge, a hand saw, a pair of Felcos, a box of literature on different tree issues, and a laser pointer. If it takes more than that, they'll have to wait for a crew to come out.

Did I mention the box of wine...
 
[ QUOTE ]
Absolutely no estimates over the phone.

[/ QUOTE ] I used to have that same policy. However, I realized when a customer has a dead/dying aspen to be removed in the front yard, that the job was going to take 15 minutes or so. It is a no brainer, that I would basically charge an hourly minimum rate. I don't want to waist the fuel or the time to do such bid. So, in these situations, I bid over the phone.

"How's it working for me?" It's working great.
 
I hear peoples jaws hit the floor when I tell them an hourly rate over the phone. Unless they see for themselves how much me and the equipment can get done in an hour, it's not worth it to them.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I hear peoples jaws hit the floor when I tell them an hourly rate over the phone. Unless they see for themselves how much me and the equipment can get done in an hour, it's not worth it to them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly!!!
 
I told one lady once, "Sure $25 per man hour sounds great, but when it takes him 5 hrs to do what you coulda paid me $75 per man hour to do in one hour with the miniskidsteer, you paid more money". (talking about moving some logs)
 
Oakwilt... what do YOU bring on quotes?

I don't estimate anything over the phone, for several reasons- not the least of which is I like to see the task, and make an accurate determination with my own eyes how long it will take, what equipment and people to send over, and to be able to shake their hand in person when I seal the deal on the spot.
 
There's variables and standards Netree.

All feeding or disease treatments. Per tree by diameter BH, transplants, retail pricing on specimens sold, minimum pricing on climbs or hazards, removals, ball moss management, custom chipping, consults and price per mile on everything. All standard and made clear by phone.

For the most part,I schedule eye to eyes when I'm already scheduled for the area on work appointments, be it one week or one month.

But my point is what customers are being called by other's in our profession. We're offering them a service, not the other way around. If we judge new people calling us by how many other tree services they shop thru or how little understanding they might have of who, how, and what we do, we're the "morons", not them.

I've called a list of Dentists one time to get a quote on a tooth extraction. All of them had a flat rate posted.
 
Never a firm number over the phone but I do like to give them an idea of what I think it might cost, just to get a reaction from them. Their reaction tells me if it's a good lead or not.
 
I bring myself, and an estimate notebook with write ups in it. If I need anything besides that, It will have to be scheduled.

Oakwilt, when and where did anyone make a racist, bigot comment on this thread. Your a goof, as I have said b4. I dont give estimates over the phone as many do not either. You keep on doin it, I am glad its workin 4 u. Keep on grindin it out with over the phone bids.
 
Also, I understand everyone has a right to shop around for the cheapest price, I also have the right to refuse my service to whomever I please. I dont want to work for tight a$$e$. I am definitely not the cheapest in my town. People use us because of our work, and our professionalism, and they trust us. As a matter of fact I dont even want to get into any of those "bidding wars."
 
[ QUOTE ]


Oakwilt, when and where did anyone make a racist, bigot comment on this thread. Your a goof, as I have said b4.

[/ QUOTE ]

You didn't read my post well enough. I said the other site, which you know well, and they do...often and very clearly.

Who's the "goof?" And I never called you that before but might just have to start doing so now.
 
Fact is, we must keep in mind that most people will rarely ever need a tree guy... so it's not unusual that they don't know what to expect in terms of cost, etc. They can relate that when the battery goes in their car, it's going to cost $50 for the battery and 1/2 hour of labor. With what we do, it's just not that cut-and-dried.

As I myself seem to get most of the hazardous removals other companies back away from, I'm quite aware of the need to educate customers in what they can expect to happen when we roll up with the equipment to do the work.
 
When a customer calls, I get as much info about the tree as I can. Ask what the customer wants done...AND WHY!!!

Once you know WHY they was a spacific job done, you can now offer options that would be better for the tree and cheaper for the customer!

What I bring: Note book, T-bag & line, 1/2" rope, binos, pole saw, hand saw or what ever I may need for a simple job.

After the quote, I'll know what I'll need if its a bigger job!

*

As far as quoting over the phone...I will NOT do it for many of the reasons mentiond earlier.

Here's a thought:
-customer calls & wants a quote to T/D a given tree at a given address.
-you give quote over phone and customer agrees to price and tells you to start asap.
-you go to address and do the job, a quality job.
-car pulls in driveway,you figgure its the customer comming to pay you.
-this person is very outraged, takes licence plate numbers down and calls the police.
-you wonder whats going on, you gave a fair quote, did a good job, cleaned up the yard well but ???
...
-you find out after the police showed up that yes you did cut the right tree down but it was the neighbour that called you to do the job. (it was blocking the sunlight from his yard). You noe know it was him who called but you cannot prove it.
-police officer gives paperwork with the date your to show up at court!
*
-you NOW realize its not a good idea to quote over the phone!!!


Something to think about is all.

HC
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


Oakwilt, when and where did anyone make a racist, bigot comment on this thread. Your a goof, as I have said b4.

[/ QUOTE ]

You didn't read my post well enough. I said the other site, which you know well, and they do...often and very clearly.

Who's the "goof?" And I never called you that before but might just have to start doing so now.

[/ QUOTE ]

It also sounds like you are very familiar with this other site. I think you just may be part of the problem. Loosen up those tighty whiities and let your brain breath.
pokinit.gif
 
I browsed "that other site' this morning. Now they're fighting over God and Talibaning the new members who have opinions.

If there are critters I wouldn't want anywhere near a tree, it's evident where they roost.
 
For my sidework, I bring my bid kit, but repellant, solo gear, polesaw, pole pruner, and a small saw.

Should also be toting small binoculars, laser pointer, diameter tape, and a diagnostic tapping tool (thanks to Guy LeBlanc for getting me started on this).

Most of my clients I already know. I will give a price window only over the phone. For those that haven't had work done in a while, $/hr for climbing, $/hr for groundwork, with a ceiling or cap, and then usually we set a time to do the work.

Sure, the rate will be a little cheaper if I just make one stop. Free estimates are assimilated into the bid. Either way, I need to walk the property.


Thread Derailers: Hey, would you guys tame it down? Has nothing to do with trees, so how about the TFZ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom