Mention backlog before going on estimate?

[BlackOakTreeServ]

So...is it smart to mention the back log before the estimate or wait until you have a chance to actually "get your foot in the door" and then mention it?

Yes, before estimate

 

[tree MDS]

Yes, before estimate

Sounds like you guys need to quit playing games. Just saying..

 

[treeclimber101]

I would like it more if the customer would tell me up front that they have no intention of doing the work until next tax time ! I mean I get getting prices ideas and ducks in a row but sometimes I just wanna say really , why did you call me now if your gonna tire kick for a season or two !

 

[sgreanbeans]

Yeah, love when they call u back after a year, and act like you should remember them and their tree, off the top of your head. "This is Mr Jones, go ahead and do that work" Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...................

 

[treeclimber101]

Yeah, love when they call u back after a year, and act like you should remember them and their tree, off the top of your head. "This is Mr Jones, go ahead and do that work" Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...................

Ohhhh and we built a shed and put up a fence since then is the price still the same ? And if don't hustle your ass and get over here before next week there will be a pool and new sidewalk there !

 

[TreeAce]

one of my favorites...."I want it done right away so that I dont have to worry about the leaves". Had one of those calls a couple days ago. I bid the job in June lol. It appears I wasnt the cheapest but guess what?? BINGO...the cheapest hasnt shown up. The second cheapest never called him back after two calls from HO. That puts me on deck. I told him I am happy to do the job but its very unlikely it will be before the leaves drop. He said "well.,,,,,,OOOOKKKKK" I said "just please let me know if the job ends up done before I get there" He swore the job was def all mine. Sure it is. The funny thing is, I am actually considering doing it soon because it is easy money. Good money.

 

[bcstump]

I am slammed with work (IMHO) at six weeks out. Last weekend I didnt get a job because of it. No biggie really except that I spent almost an hour at the guys house. Nice guy but not that nice cuz I got way better things to do with my very limited time. I also gave some estimates lately that when the HO asks me how soon i could be here n I tell them 4-6 weeks they looked at me like I was an idiot. Should I mention it BEFORE going on the estimate or will that just scare of people cuz it sounds bad? Or will it save me running around and wasting my time on people who think it will be done next week?

If your that busy, you must be very good at what you do. Make the customer pay for your expertise. (Your prices are too low)

What would happen i you raised your prices by 10% ? No doubt the volume of work would drop off,if not, try another 10%. Sooner or later your volume of work will drop off but you will be getting paid more to do less work. If you have a customer that absolutely needs the work to be done this week,don't tell him your six weeks out,tell him its going to cost $$$$ and you can do it tomorrow. If they truly need the work done they will pay the price . If you get the job great,if they complain about the price you have more than enough room to lower your price if you want.

Just Sayin

 

[jefflovstrom]

:msp_tongue

If your that busy, you must be very good at what you do. Make the customer pay for your expertise. (Your prices are too low)

What would happen i you raised your prices by 10% ? No doubt the volume of work would drop off,if not, try another 10%. Sooner or later your volume of work will drop off but you will be getting paid more to do less work. If you have a customer that absolutely needs the work to be done this week,don't tell him your six weeks out,tell him its going to cost $$$$ and you can do it tomorrow. If they truly need the work done they will pay the price . If you get the job great,if they complain about the price you have more than enough room to lower your price if you want.

Just Sayin

just saying,
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Jeff

 

[sgreanbeans]

Yes, they are the key to good customers.