Job Quote forms or downloads

[jpdocdave]

Has anyone found anything good online for quote forms. I am talking to a local printer to make me some forms, but they are expensive, I've tried to download some editable pdf forms, but they look pretty hokey, I downloaded a couple estimating softwares, but they are more geared to construction and using parts and they aren't working well either.

I can't believe its that hard to find something good online. I don't want a blank hand written form, and I don't want to spend almost 200 on having nice forms made I still have to hand write. I'd like to write estimates from my computer that way they are saved and easy to reference later.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Shannon tower]

Ive used QuickBooks for years in my construction business, it has built in editable forms that may work for ya? And it will save and track all business activities and make tax time alot easier. Only drawback I see is also a good thing for me, you have to enter everything regularly or its a pain. Just a thought.

 

[BC WetCoast]

There are threads on this in the Business Management section. Search for Estimate templates.
Also see if you can find a copy of the forms that some of the big guys eg Bartlett or Davey use as an example.

I personally like hand written quote forms, when I'm talking to customers, so I can write down the job specs right there, decide on a price and have the customer sign a go-ahead before they get buyers remorse.

If I'm doing an estimate that I'm leaving in the mailbox or sending an email, then a type written form works well.

The benefit of using a custom form is that you can have clauses printed on it, such as payment terms.

If you want to save them on your computer, you can always scan them at the end of the day. You won't be doing that many estimates in a day.

 

[tidy]

My version of Microsoft Excel has a shirt tonne of templates for letters, invoices, orders etc. I have one for quotes (bids) and one for invoices -they are almost identical . Doing it via email is beneficial if you have bad hand writing like myself, its more presentable and it means you are pretty much permanently in their email software so hopefully they can call you back and refer you to others all the more easier than trying to find that "piece of paper"

 

[joezilla11]

U can make your own form on word. Add a logo, make boxes, columns etc. and have it printed on 3 part forms. You can save a copy of your form as PDF and type them out or email.

 

[sgreanbeans]

I created my own and took it to a printer co. 3 pieces, carbon. 1 original, 2 client copy, 3 is the estimate copy, that I rip off the back and keep, they keep the first 2 and I get the Original if they sign. Cost about 60 for 500

 

[imagineero]

Why do they get to keep 2?

 

[sgreanbeans]

Their copy of the contract. Which I guess I should have said. Its a 3 part contracting proposal, if they sign, its a legal contract, I just added the last page so I could have a copy of every one I bid. I take that one with me when I am done with the bid. I can go into files and find every job I have bid and have a exact copy of what I gave them. They keep the first 2, if they sign, I get the top one with the actual signature. They keep the 2nd for their records or to throw away. Did that make sense?

 

[imagineero]

I think so... so you give them the first and second page at quote, and keep the third, then if they sign you keep the first page and you get the second? Must admit, I've never made a customer sign a contract.

 

[tidy]

sgreanbeans, does requiring a signature make some customers wary/onguard/uncooperative? or is it commonplace in the USA? What steps do you take if they break the contract?

 

[beastmaster]

I've been using a app.'on my iPhone called arborIstPro. It has a lot of features and is geared to tree work. You can send a invoice by e mail

 

[nitrousbaby]

I use invoice to go app. Love it but I pretty much invoice and send estimates from one of my android devices. Its free or you can pay for unlimited folders.

 

[jpdocdave]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I did try the arborist ap, I didn't love it yet. And you have to have a signed agreement, I like the 3 part hand written copy. That way there's a hard copy of all the estimates you've written for future reference, a customer copy, and signed hard copy. But I'd also like them all to be on my computer for my reference and email purposes, that means I'd have to scan them in.

I've looked into local printers, and to have them made up is quite expensive. I haven't tried very hard, but I think making them on a Word program doesn't look professional. If I can find a pdf to use and modify I'd love it.

 

[2treeornot2tree]

I had a local print shop make me up quotes with a carbon copy. Pretty cheap and you have the exact thing the customer has.

Here in pa the customer can back out of the contract up to the point that you start working so most times I don't bother having them sign. Depending on how the customer makes me feel when they say go ahead with the job I will take a deposit. It makes it real easy to determine if they are just price checking and telling you there gonna call you or not.

Seems to be a trend around here to say go ahead and then if your lucky they call you back and tell you they changed there mind. Sometimes they don't even call you.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[sgreanbeans]

I think so... so you give them the first and second page at quote, and keep the third, then if they sign you keep the first page and you get the second? Must admit, I've never made a customer sign a contract.

They keep the second. The first, once signed, is a legal contract.That goes into the work file for scheduling and once work is done it goes into jobs completed file for the month. The 3rd goes into the quote file, whether we got the job or not.

I always get a signature, no matter what. Even on repeat clients and they have never had a problem. Actually I take that back. I bid a big oak that was half dead, dead half was over a fence and neighbors patio. I bid it high, really high, lots of "if's" in the tree. He calls me, tells me I am 2G's more than anybody else, but was told I am the only one to get it down safely so he will pay, tho he thinks it high. I was like "great, when do you want to meet and take care of the contract" He asked what do we need a contract for. I told him to ensure I get paid. He didn't want to do it and was trying to get me just to come over and get it down. I told him I would need a 50% deposit as well, as he was starting to seem sketchy. He didn't like that either. He didn't want to sign a contract at all, so I walked. When they don't want to sign, whatever the reason, it is not good for you. I think that guy had a bad tree that he knew was going to damage chit didnt have the money, I think he had no intention of paying me when I was done and trying to work something out after the fact. Tree is still standing.

 

[sgreanbeans]

Yep, I do a 50% deposit on anything over a G for first timers, repeats I don't. Many times people, like the dude above, just know they need to get the tree taken care of, but don't have the money, they will tell you all kinds of warm and fuzzys to get you there, you go to collect and ................

 

[joezilla11]

It'll look as professional as u make it. Word is tricky to do that on but you can take ur time and make it as neat as any other once u figure out how to make columns/boxes and wording for a contract . I was just saying cause its a program most people already have on their computers. It helps to have an idea or another form to reference.
Also having your own logo or letterhead can really dress anything up or the opposite if your using bad clipart.

 

[joezilla11]

Here's a link to OfficeMax print center. Good prices, upload your own design and have it printed on 3 part. If you go through the steps the option to add 3 part is at the end for another $10. Pick it up in store or have it mailed. The benefit to having your own design is you can fill it out on your computer and email if needed.
www.officemax.impressprintcenter-businesscards.com:80/KioskCategoryItemBrowser.aspx?id=1047&catName=Design-Your-Own-Forms

 

[beastmaster]

Ive been using'' ZOHO invoice'', also. It an app you can get from google apps. Its decent if you have the time to figure it out. You can design your own estimate form, and with a click of a button e mail it, and then another click make an invoice and email it. It'll get a spread sheet of all the entrys too.

 

[MariHer75]

I've been in the tree care business for over 30 years now and have used many different service platforms. I found ArboStar to be exactly what my tree care business needs. From streamlining the business process to ease of use, this software is so much better than the ones I've used in the past. Everything just makes so much more sense with this app. For example, the financial records of my company are stored in the cloud and are synced with Quickbooks immediately, which definitely gives me peace of mind. I absolutely love it and would definitely recommend ArboStar to other businesses.