- This topic has 4 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 18 years, 5 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
It seems like the past few days I have only been getting calls for the free estimates but no one schedules-how can I get around the free estimate thing?
We will give free estimates, but I do everything possible not to. If it looks to be a large job, I will be more willing to do the estimate if I can’t sell them over the phone because I feel confident I will definitely get the job if I meet them in person. If you charge by the room, it is much easier to give a firm price over the phone. We charge by the square foot and have gotten pretty good at estimating what the price will be with this pricing method. What I often do is give the customer a rough estimate over the phone and then inform them that I will give them a firm price before we start any work. If they are sounding wishy washy over the phone and they sound like a customer I want, I tell them can come over and do an estimate, but with the price of gas anymore we try limit the number of trips if possible. Most are pretty understanding of this. If they live near a customer I am cleaning in the next few days and I have the time available in my schedule, I’ll be more willing to drive and give an estimate. Another thing I often mention is that if I do come over and give an estimate and they like the price, would they like me to clean it right then. Eliminates them shopping around after I give them my price and it also eliminates me making another trip.
To me, it also seems like we get more estimate calls from phone book shoppers than we do from other forms of advertising.
I operate very similar to Devlin. I also price per sq ft. If a customer asks if I give free estimates, I tell them “Yes, but I like to try to take care of it over the phone. I price per sq ft, so if you can give me an idea of the room sizes, I can give you a close quess over the phone.”
This usaully works well. Most of the time people guess their room sizes too large, then when I measure B4 cleaning, the actual price is less. Customers really like it when honesty reduces the price. It sometimes goes the other way. In this case, if the difference is great and conditions are above average, I will split the difference with them. The customer is cool with that.Agree!
Over the phone I give an estimate “…based upon the measurements you’ve given me, however when I arrive to do the work, I can give you an exact Quote”. It seems to work for me. Primarly when I’m already busy.
Agree with all the above… It seems that most the folks that are serious and not just price surfing will end up booking a cleaning over the phone after I give them an approximation based on their info. Like BSutton said, sometimes I am a little on the high side and sometimes on the low side.
I do free estimates, but try to book them on a day that I am in that area as well. Like they said before, you can tell alot just by how the phone conversation is going. Just use your instincts and best judgments…
I try to avoid going out of my way for those that want to haggle for the low-ball price. Those usually end up being the nastier carpets to clean anyway…
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.