Mikey P
Administrator
I f'n hate dealing with price shoppers, but a potential $900 job is tempting me to drive an hour out to give a bid
How far will you travel for a free estimate?
- Thread starter Mikey P
- Start date
hogjowl
Idiot™
After 32 years in business I’m still looking for ways to give up on-site estimating.
Mikey P
Administrator
I dont mind if I know I have the job and Im just firming up numbers or supplies, but Ill never win in a contest to be cheapest.
hogjowl
Idiot™
Me either.
Desk Jockey
Member
It's actually a great opportunity to sell your services. They are asking you into there home, generally they are ready to purchase not just kick tires. So then it is on you to sell them on you, why you are the best choice for their home.
You can also sell other services they may not have requested. Maybe they didn't know you offered.
We won a good share of the in home estimates. I would go pretty far if I thought the job was worth it.
hogjowl
Idiot™
Not in Bama. In 2021.
They’re asking for a price and I’m asking to come into their home instead.
They’re asking for a price and I’m asking to come into their home instead.
Lee Stockwell
FOJL
I try to avoid them, but 2 or 3 times a year it happens. It will always cost them more.
Edit: of course you don't SAY that, just give them the # and schedule it.
Edit: of course you don't SAY that, just give them the # and schedule it.
Desk Jockey
Member
I'm not sure what COVID has done to the cleaning business. So your area or overall could have changed.
Cleanworks
Moderator
For that kind of job, if you feel that the customer isn't looking just for the lowest price, it's worth it. You need to spend quality time on the phone with them to feel them out. (Out Richard, not up)
Desk Jockey
Member
Why not both?
ronbeatty
Member
Same as Lee
Driving to free estimates puts too much wear on my tires.
Terry
Supportive Member
I'm finding most customers especially the younger ones are happy to send in pictures/videos of upholstery and carpet/rugs so I can estimate a high and low before going to job.
Having a range is usually accepted and it allows you some flexibility if the job is more difficult than it appeared on the pictures and video.
Having a range is usually accepted and it allows you some flexibility if the job is more difficult than it appeared on the pictures and video.
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ronbeatty
Member
Last year I bid a home that was 5 miles away from cell phone pictures and measurements. 12,000 sq ft of carpet and a lot of upholstery. Got the job, no drama.
Kenny Hayes
Member
Nope, nada any more. A decade or more ago
I drove an hour an to give a Loves manager a bid. I told him the price. He told what he was thinking, and I could think about it on my way back to OKC. I told him once I got in my truck, I wouldn’t think of it again. You’ve seen that story before, but same applies
I drove an hour an to give a Loves manager a bid. I told him the price. He told what he was thinking, and I could think about it on my way back to OKC. I told him once I got in my truck, I wouldn’t think of it again. You’ve seen that story before, but same applies
I went into a muffler shop to have an inspection of my exhaust system done. The sign said free inspection.
The guy gets done and says that will be $35. I told him your sign said $35. He replied, "If you have me do the work I will take the fee off the invoice." Haven't been able to do it myself but it worked for him.
The guy gets done and says that will be $35. I told him your sign said $35. He replied, "If you have me do the work I will take the fee off the invoice." Haven't been able to do it myself but it worked for him.
Kenny Hayes
Member
And that Ain’t even driving!!!
I bid a Dr. Office yesterday. I gave the dude a deal on 2900 sqft at .24 cents. He screwed me down another $50. He then tried to get me lower on my tile cleaning price. I let him get me down another $50. I hope he likes encap.
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Desk Jockey
Member
Try the same when you go for a doctors visit and see how far it gets you. 
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Kenny Hayes
Member
Good thing I clean shitters on #theside, I can afford to be stubborn
Kenny Hayes
Member
Think how stubborn I will be when I start drawing SS in a month and a half
Cleanworks
Moderator
Try that with the Doc and he will just give you the finger.Try the same when you go for a doctors visit and see how far it gets you.
LCCFL
Member
Same here after five years. If I get around to pricing it, I go high and go from there if the phone conversation continues.
If it's a big job, I'll ask them if they want me to be prepared to do the job that day I price it, and if they say no, that just tells me to add in the $$$ for travel to and from their house
I really won’t travel far anymore for a free estimate. I never get the jobs. I refuse to work for $.15.
LCCFL
Member
To answer the original question. If I assume, it will be over $500 based off their description. Then yes, I will travel an hour to their home.
Lee Stockwell
FOJL
Good customers never ask for free estimates.
Papa John
Lifetime Supportive Member
It's been at least 15 years since I've given a free on-site inspection and bid for a residential job.
I might drive 10 miles for a commercial bid.
I might drive 10 miles for a commercial bid.
LCCFL
Member
How or what do you say in order for you not to give a free estimate?
AdamDumphy
Member
In the age of technology maybe you could have them measure the carpet and then facetime or zoom call them walking around and showing what needs to be done. We have customers send in photos of upholstery, rugs and sometimes carpet with measurements and or tags for fiber contents.
