Quoting for jobs can be the worst part of any trade. It’s time you don’t get paid for and that you’ll never get back if your tender is unsuccessful, however, it’s a necessary evil. That’s why it’s important to give yourself the best chance of success, the more successful quotes you submit, the less time you have wasted.

 

#1 - Be Transparent

Clients often don’t understand the quote they’re receiving and can often get spooked if they’re simply handed a piece of paper with a figure. Take some time to sit down with the potential client and explain the quote, give them a chance to ask any questions. You might find that the extra time you spend here is what wins you the job in the long run. Plus, it’s a chance to get another brew in quickly before moving on! 

#2 - Be Thorough 

Many tradesmen quote jobs based on pure instinct. Maybe they completed a similar job last year or can mentally calculate the materials and produce an estimate. The problem with this approach is that it might work 4 times out of 5. But, there will always be jobs with hidden costs which can eat into the profit. It’s worth taking your time costing up a job properly, not only will the potential client be impressed with your thoroughness, you’ll eliminate any risk to yourself. 

#3 - Know Your Customer 

Size up your customer. Some tradesmen will always be better than others at this. If a customer appears to be wealthy and has plenty of spare income it might be fine to try and upsell them on certain specifics of the job, in fact, they might thank you for it! If however, a potential customer seems to be putting their savings into this job then this approach could potentially scare them off. 

#4 - Don’t Undersell Yourself 

You will often be mindful that you’re not the only one submitting a quote for this work. You’ve been undercut before and the temptation to lower your quote might be strong, especially if you really need the work. Don’t do it. Quote fairly for both yourself and the client. Going back to point #1, explain to the customer why your quote is what it is, why it’s fair and how you worry that a lesser quote wouldn’t result in a quality job. After all, you get what you pay for, right? 

#5 - Sell Yourself 

Quoting shouldn’t just be about the price. This is an opportunity to add some value to your pitch. This might be different from job to job. Maybe you feel you can complete the work in a more timely fashion than your competitors could? Or maybe one of your employees is a specialist in this area? Whatever it is, now is the time to make these points whilst the customer is in the decision phase. 

Follow these 5 tips and you might just find yourself winning more and more jobs in the near future. For more trade tips and news from Stax, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get regular updates on our posts.