Estimates

[Perfect Lawn]

What is everyone using to give estimates? Are you leaving a copy with the customer? Is it a carbon copy? I have been using a Sales order statement book from walmart and stamping my information on it. But to me its just not professional enough. Thanks

[Az Gardener]

Unclear of what business you are in residential lawn mowing, commercial mowing, full maintenance, fert and squirt, or install work. If you feel yours is not professional enough you should do what makes you feel better. Don't base your standards on the industry norm.

I do full maintenance for upscale residential clients. I use a spreadsheet that shows all the costs through the year like a budget for the landscape. It is also sent with a contract. I do all my "selling" at the interview stage I make notes go back to the office and do all the calculations. I then e mail it, drop it off or mail it, whatever they want.

Most here I have read "eyeball it" and throw out a number on the same visit for simple residential mowing. You will find more information using the search feature.

[Lawnmasters]

For Lawn, Shrub & Tree Spraying, we have a two part form for estimates/Lawn and Landscape Analysis. We fill in the parts for size, type of grass, weeds present, problems, suggested program, pricing, discounts for pre-pay, etc. these are left on the spot, if they sign up, we have a two part contract also.

For Landscaping, Hardscapes, we use a spreadsheet program that we fill in the blanks for materials, labor needed, etc. and present this on a 2nd appointment.

[Perfect Lawn]

Yea, I do residential full lawn and landscape maintenance. But what I am looking for is when someone wants an estimate for lawn cutting and or other work, I would like to have something right away to give them rather than a sales order sheet from walmart. Though it is cheaper.

[Prolawnservice]

Search around on the Internet, ebay, on different forums and such. Find all the estimate forms you like, then take the parts you like from them, and lay out your own. Bring it to a printer and have them made with two or three part carbonless forms one for the customer one for you.:waving:

[Perfect Lawn]

Cool thanks

[BCFLawnLandscape]

We use Quicken home and business, they have estimates and invoices you can create w/your company's logo on it. It works great for what we use it for. Hope this helps, and good luck!

[Perfect Lawn]

We use Quicken home and business, they have estimates and invoices you can create w/your company's logo on it. It works great for what we use it for. Hope this helps, and good luck!

How do you geta copy for yourself after you gave a customer one? Do you take it somewhere to get carbon type copy made? Thanks

[Mow Right]

How do you geta copy for yourself after you gave a customer one? Do you take it somewhere to get carbon type copy made? Thanks

Why don't you just scan it into the computer for your copy? or copy and file it?

[Perfect Lawn]

No, What I mean is you go to a customers house for an estimate, you leave them a copy of it, now where is your copy for your records when you use softwear like quicken, or " Lawn pro which I do have".

[rlcma55]

Take a look at lawn pro software. It does a pretty good job for small company (up to 500 accounts ) and provides a number of different menu's from scheduling,invoicing,estimates,etc....good way to start since it's price is right.
:usflag:

[Perfect Lawn]

I have lawn pro. I can create estimates on it. But if you leave that single page (Estimate) with the customer, because you cant predict the price, how would you get a copy for your records if they have it? Do I take it down to a print shop and get carbon copys made? What do all of you do for estimates and how do you go by using them? Thanks a lot.:)

[gqnine44]

I created a form in word that lists all the maintenance services we offer and briefly describes each. It has a place for the client to check the services they would like and a place to sign at the bottom. The back of the page lists all of our terms and conditions. I took it to Kinko's and had them make it a 3 part form. White/Office Yellow/Client Pink/Rep

[Team-Green L&L]

No, What I mean is you go to a customers house for an estimate, you leave them a copy of it, now where is your copy for your records when you use softwear like quicken, or " Lawn pro which I do have".

Just do a Google search for "carbonless forms" and you'll get all the info you'll need. Not all print shops do them, so it's easier to order them right online and you'll have them in a week for 1/3 of the price that your print shop will charge. Make sure to surf around a little because pricing will vary dramatically and so will quality of paper, ink, etc. They all list the specs on their sites though.

[rlcma55]

I have lawn pro. I can create estimates on it. But if you leave that single page (Estimate) with the customer, because you cant predict the price, how would you get a copy for your records if they have it? Do I take it down to a print shop and get carbon copys made? What do all of you do for estimates and how do you go by using them? Thanks a lot.:)

Hey Perfect....Ok,you said you were using lawn pro,right?...You would have to enter the person your going to do an estimate for in your program first.Then go to "create estimates" screen....You would have to plug in the services and charges ( ie that's what they are looking for in an estimate ) and save the estimate.You can print that estimate for them and it also stays on your PC as an estimate. If they accept your estimate/proposal,and you do the work,then all you have to do is change the estimate to an "invoice" with Lawn Pro or delete it if they don't want the work done...Hope that explains it.

Bob:drinkup:

[Runner]

I just make a copy in the truck. Instead of buying a portable printer for $250 to go in the truck, I got an all in one for about a hundred bucks. Now, unlike the invoices or statement of service for chem., the estimate sheets for fert. are done by hand on a fo checkboxes, blanks, and short comment area. I just fill it out and make a copy. I used to use carbonless and pre print the template on both copies. The proposals for maintenance, installation, and other various work are now done on a template form in the computer and then ran off (2 copies).