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ELECTRICAL ESTIMATING.

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Good morning all.

I am inviting opinions about an issue. Any thoughts please?

I visited a man to look at some potential work and then to supply a written estimate. The old property has many bodges and poor alterations electrically. Anyway there are some modernish outbuildings that need to be altered so that they can be used as light workshops and an office. I attended and spent some time with the owner discussing options. He wanted all the work broken down on the estimate as a previous electrician had just supplied one lump sum total price. I did £80.00 worth of essential work the next day.

The total estimated work is sub-£1k.

I sent the detailed estimate and then got a phone call from the man asking if I could attend again as now his wife has some questions.  I am reminded of the bible scripture about not being able to work for two masters as you will love one and get to hate the other.

Do I continue with his wishes or walk?

What would you do?

 

Z.

 

 

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  • 0

    kfh: 
     

    As has been said “It all depends”. 

    If you need the business think about going back, if you are not desperate then talk over the phone. 

    How profitable is it going to be, are you going to loose other work while doing it?

    I expect to say what I am doing to do in a quote but do not break out materials and would not normally go out twice.

    It also takes a lot of time to prepare a proper quote so the in/out jobs can be more profitable overall if you can get enough of them. Will there be repeat business?

    I am trying to get quotes for garage doors at the moment and one company has given a quote based on me supplying the sizes, to get the “surveyor” out to measure up and show me samples I am expect to commit to £85 spend with the expectation that I am going to place the order. 

    Indeed. Some invites for “an estimate” can be real time wasters. Some people just want guidance so that they can do the work themselves. A site visit and following estimate can deprive me of half a day's wages, plus the cost of fuel and vehicle wear and tear.

    I am tempted to employ the response of a Rolls Royce car salesman in a posh London showroom when a potential customer asked the price of a new Rolls. The salesman said “If you have to ask sir, then you can't afford it”.?

    Z.

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  • 0

    kfh: 
     

    As has been said “It all depends”. 

    If you need the business think about going back, if you are not desperate then talk over the phone. 

    How profitable is it going to be, are you going to loose other work while doing it?

    I expect to say what I am doing to do in a quote but do not break out materials and would not normally go out twice.

    It also takes a lot of time to prepare a proper quote so the in/out jobs can be more profitable overall if you can get enough of them. Will there be repeat business?

    I am trying to get quotes for garage doors at the moment and one company has given a quote based on me supplying the sizes, to get the “surveyor” out to measure up and show me samples I am expect to commit to £85 spend with the expectation that I am going to place the order. 

    Indeed. Some invites for “an estimate” can be real time wasters. Some people just want guidance so that they can do the work themselves. A site visit and following estimate can deprive me of half a day's wages, plus the cost of fuel and vehicle wear and tear.

    I am tempted to employ the response of a Rolls Royce car salesman in a posh London showroom when a potential customer asked the price of a new Rolls. The salesman said “If you have to ask sir, then you can't afford it”.?

    Z.

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