What's the best way to give estimates

[Guest chadfos]

I was just curious as to how most of you write up your estimates? Does anyone use certain software or anything? I usually go measure out the jobs and show the customer the different types of film that I offer. Once they select a film or two I go back to my office and type up a formal estimate explaining everything that I am going to do during the tinting process and the total price of the job. I have herd of companies giving estimates on the spot also. Just trying to find some different or better ways to do things. Thanks!

[Guest Sunlimited]

I like to go back, figure it out than send the estimate. You can find out your film cost, travel expense, and think about any other obstacles that you may need to work around, ( ladder work, scaffolding, moving desks/furniture) we charge extra for each bit yet write it up into a single price per sf.........

[kats2112]

On the spot! Math is not difficult. Know your product and what to charge.

How else ya gonna close? Have proposals ready to go with all the usual info and blanks for

the specifics of that job.

I'm surprised to hear that more than one of y'all are giving someone else a chance to look like

they know what they are doing and close a job AFTER you've been there and gone to do

simple math.

[Ryker]

on the spot here....I have my own 4x5.5 notepads that I will write the information down on the I will take my notes off of it and write the price and what I am to do on it in a very short way. I will not include any measurements for them except perhaps the square feet.

I leave the notepad with the customer....

[micro-edge]

I have a quote sheet with a carbon copy..close it while you're there the first time or ya may not get it.

[Guest SIR TINTSALOT]

I use quickbooks and bought an inverter for my truck. So I take my laptop and printer in the truck, go measure and talk to customer, find out what films they are interested in, step out to the truck for a few minutes and work out the estimate. I then go back in with a printed estimate along with some sample pages for them to keep. Since doing it this I have landed a lot more jobs than I used to. Professionalism in your appearance, and presentation help tremendously.

[Guest teamfutaba]

I was just curious as to how most of you write up your estimates? Does anyone use certain software or anything? I usually go measure out the jobs and show the customer the different types of film that I offer. Once they select a film or two I go back to my office and type up a formal estimate explaining everything that I am going to do during the tinting process and the total price of the job. I have herd of companies giving estimates on the spot also. Just trying to find some different or better ways to do things. Thanks!

oh boy....

the last thing you want to do is go in first. ask them (if they called you) if there entertaining other bids. if yes, tell them your busy with a big job and whats the latest date you can stop by. this gives you the chance to close on the spot. remember you wont win them all, but they have it in there head your busy and that will leave them wanting to know why.

be prompt, on time...

if your meeting the homeowner for the first time.

booties. wear them into every home you go into. (with the exception of the worm hole jobs). if its a nice house, it shows you care about there home. most custys will say its not necessary to do that. your reply will be, "it's YOUR home, I want to keep it clean." you would be surprised how far that little act will take you.

after your greeting and thanking them for inviting you into there home, your next question should be "why do you want to tint your windows". simple question.. but what it shows the custy is your intrested in there needs and allows you to point them in the right direction.

I prefer to jump-sell. this means I show them the most expensive film first, then jump back to the least expensive, then show them the middle of the road priced film. if they can afford it they will go with the best, if they cant or just dont want to spend that much then the middle of the road film just got you more money than the least expensive film.

knowledge of your product's and there glass system. (all the tech stuff, shgc, vlt, tser, show them coppies of your occ lisc, insurance and references if you have them)

close on the spot.

dont be affraid to ask. " Mr Smith. were looking forward to working with you, were ready to go when you are. a deposit (I get 50%) will hold your spot in line. the whole job will take this long."

for yuck yucks... I was asked to do bathroom windows by a decorator on monday in a new home on key biscayne. the home was prolly 5 million plus dollars. I planted a seed (I suggested) in the home owners head about tinting the windows looking over the pool and biscayne bay to keep the home cooler and help protect there interior from the damaging rays of the sun. she then showed me where the sun was fading her wood floors. long story short. 13g's in 3M PR-40. all you have to do is ask. ill post a pic of the home tomorrow. I left my camera in the work van.

heres a pic I had on my phone..

[watchdaride]

Went on a estimate this morning and I know she asked about keeping the heat out so when I get there give all the info then she says she wants hurricane film so I asked her are they other people giving you estimates . She said she has 5 companies coming out . Damn .

[tjordan06]

On the spot! Math is not difficult. Know your product and what to charge.

How else ya gonna close? Have proposals ready to go with all the usual info and blanks for

the specifics of that job.

I'm surprised to hear that more than one of y'all are giving someone else a chance to look like

they know what they are doing and close a job AFTER you've been there and gone to do

simple math.

I like it

[Tint Eastwood]

On the spot! Math is not difficult. Know your product and what to charge.

Exactly. Your already there might as well finish it and move on. IMO leaving to work up the est. gives the impression you don't know your product that well, haven't been doing too long, or that you are too busy to be bothered with sitting around one second more than you have to working on measley little numbers. I know thats not the case (most of the time) but thats the way I take it when the situation is reversed.