Hours spent pricing and doing customer site meeting....

[Leesparkykent]

Just a bit of a rant really....This one job that is pretty much mine as do all the builders work and the customer has confirmed that I'm doing the job.

6/7 bed house just around the corner from my house. 1st site meeting I Sit down with the customer for 2 hours and went through what ideas they have etc. I then spend about 8 hours pricing and doing a rough sketch over the drawings for positions.

Submit drawings and quote and customer comes back and says above budget.

Second site meeting I sit down with customers again for 2 hours and look at where we can make some savings...Doesn't go great as customer doesn't want to compromise as still wants the lot. Sharpen the pencil slightly and save them a few quid by scaling it down, choosing different fittings etc and re price which takes another 4 hours.

3rd site meeting tonight (another 2 hours) which I thought would be just striking the deal but customer wants to go over it again. He wants costs for different variables because he has a budget which he needs to stick with but builder has had a few unexpected issues which has ended up costing a few quid.

Money isn't an issue with the customer as he has pots of it but wants to strike the balance between build cost and what it will be worth once complete.

So now I have to wait for builder to nail down his final cost so then I can resubmit with whatever is left in the pot. So far I've spent 18 hours on the job and still haven't got the customer to sign on the dotted line.

It's really annoying as he's a nice chap and I do get that the cost has to be proportional to the end result but come on mate I'm nearly 20 hours in .....

 

[The Ghost]

Well courting the customer is part of landing the job. However I get the frustration at time spent with nothing on the hook. I tend to work out a price and leave it with the customer. If they think it is too much I say well that is the only price I have for the job, try to get some other estimates. Because I know the price I will put in is fair (which is unusual) I know they will come back after falling off the chair at other prices, or not if they use the amazing prices you can get out there for cash and no cert.
But there we are we all have our different methods eh! I just would not have your patience or time for all that fanangling.

 

[Dave OCD]

I think my patience may have ran out by now Lee and I'd suddenly be far too busy to undertake this job.

 

[jackhammerJIM]

Awkward customer. Im dealing with one on a job at the moment . Keeps changing his mind and adding points then questions the extras

 

[Leesparkykent]

The thing is the job is going to be a real show piece....RAKO lighting and blinds, sonos throughout, gated access, cctv, intruder, heated garage for classic cars that has a rotating car changer, tesla wall, swimming pool, tennis courts, stables, par 3 golf hole, lake, gym etc. You can see why I want the job as it will be brilliant for the portfolio.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Awkward customer. Im dealing with one on a job at the moment . Keeps changing his mind and adding points then questions the extras

price the extras and get him to confirm them via email before you do them.

 

[Dave OCD]

This guy has to be a multi millionaire Lee, makes it all the more frustrating when they quibble over an honest quote. They want a Rolls Royce job at Ford prices.

 

[jackhammerJIM]

The thing is the job is going to be a real show piece....RAKO lighting and blinds, sonos throughout, gated access, cctv, intruder, heated garage for classic cars that has a rotating car changer, tesla wall, swimming pool, tennis courts, stables, par 3 golf hole, lake, gym etc. You can see why I want the job as it will be brilliant for the portfolio.

Sounds like a belter . Dont get much of that up my end .

 

[Dave OCD]

That's a relief, could be very painful.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Yeah he's worth a few quid. The company he owns design and make soft toys. The sort that cost about £30 for a teddy bear in gift shops when you take the kids out for the day The house itself isn't huge in relation to the land but it's everything else that goes with it. It will be a cracker of a job just got to nail the customer down.

 

[jackhammerJIM]

some jobs are worth doing for less if you know you will enjoy doing them in my opinion

 

[Leesparkykent]

some jobs are worth doing for less if you know you will enjoy doing them in my opinion

I won't be doing it for less that's for sure. Just need to strike the right balance between budget and expectations

 

[Octopus]

The aspect of being SE or the boss of a small business that people don't understand.

My last big job, all agreed, but still spent a lot of time discussing things before I did anything ..... Worth it inn the end

 

[jackhammerJIM]

I won't be doing it for less that's for sure. Just need to strike the right balance between budget and expectations

I can see some LAP gear getting used

 

[jackhammerJIM]

The aspect of being SE or the boss of a small business that people don't understand.

It sill amazes me that people who i refer to as having office jobs can literally not even know what a red plug is used for . Trying to explain to people why we have to do things certain ways i don't know whether to laugh or cry .