E.T.A. for estimates

[GraZZmaZter]

Business is going real good this year. Alot more calls than last year. Thanks to Jim Lewis im landing around 70-80% of them.
My one delima is that all these people want an exact time that i will be there to look at their properties. Well, after an extra long chat with one potential client, than another wanting to show me 100 things needing to be done, i cant stay on track.

So why cant i just tell people a time frame that i will be there like all the rest of these companies. If i want something estimated they will say we will be there sometime between 8 and noon.

Anyone else do this type of time framing? Its fair to both parties, because i tell them they dont need to be there if they have plans. I leave the bid package in a door or mailbox, and get with them in a day or two.

Sound like a good idea or is all this sun frying my brain?

[LAWNGODFATHER]

I tell them a day, I cannot specify a exact time.

[1MajorTom]

Since I do most of the phone calls and scheduling, I can relate to what you are saying.
I definitely try to set up a 2 to 3 hour window for when we will be there. It really takes the pressure off.

I have noticed though that setting up the window for when you will be there seems to really work with younger/middle age clients who work too or are busy. They don't mind a time frame, and quickly agree that is ok to leave a bid package at their door if they aren't home.
The elderly client though seems to tend to like a more specific time. If I sense that on the phone, then I just give them a time such as "between 1:00 and 1:30" as an example. I always leave a half hour to play around with.

One down fall I realize with setting up a time frame and maybe not getting to meet them is, there is a chance of missing out on additional work that could be sold if given the chance to meet them in person. Walking around a property with the client sometimes sets the wheels turning in their heads, and they sometimes will suggest more work that can be done.

[TotalCareSolutions]

2 or 3 hour window as well

[darryl gesner]

I book an exact time. I'm almost never more than 10 minutes late. If I am running late, I call and let them know. I just make sure to give myself a little extra time between apointments. Most of my appointments take about 45 minutes and I know travel time in my service area pretty well. If I end up early, I don't go there until the time I booked. I just find a spot to sit and do some paper work or phone calls in my truck or run some errands. I have found that it is worse to show up early than late.

People don't like this "window" stuff! Do you like it when the cable guy says he'll be there between 10 and 2? I sure don't. Let's face it, people are busy and they don't have time to hang out waiting to talk to the lawn guy for half a day.

You need to learn to keep a schedule and take control of your meetings so you can be where you say you will be WHEN you say you will be there.

[fblandscape]

I prefer to be able to walk the property by myself if I can. Then contact the client by e-mail after I have collected my thoughts. Easier on me like that, and we can contact one another at our convenience. Also, there is a record of every communication that transpires.

[65hoss]

On big jobs I book a time. Anything else is a day.

[Shuter]

I tell them a day and can narrow it down to morning or afternoon. If they really want to push for a certian time and I really want the work, I tell them 7 AM or 7 PM, their choice.

[GraZZmaZter]

Got a call just a little while ago. I said i will be there Wed. ( i do estimates on Wed and Sat.) She asked about what time Wed. I said I'm sorry but i cant give you an exact time. An "OK" came out of her mouth immediately!

I than explained if she had something to do, Don't wait around for us all day. I said that I will leave the package in the door or mailbox, whatever she wants. She said leave it in the front door if they are not home...easy as that.

Darryl

What in the world do you do for 45 min?!?!?

And i will be a monkeys uncle before i just sit around cause I'm going to be early. Its BETTER to be early than late. I don't know what your finding, but i think you should look somewhere else. Ive been selling services door to door since i was 4 or 5. Trust me, early is better than late .... in ever situation.

I am much to busy to be at appointments at an exact time. You said it yourself...people are to busy to sit and wait for the lawn guy. Well, the lawn guy is too busy to stress himself out catering to people that haven't paid him a dime yet. .;)

[Gravely_Man]

I give them a time if it is going to be a larger bid and a day if it is smaller and they are ok with that. I have specific days I go out and do bids to I am clean and presentable. Older people definitely like to have an exact time.


Gravely_Man

[crazygator]

I always give an exact time. This does 2 things, keeps me on track and not wasting time, and lets this new person see that I am reliable and do things when I say.

I would not wait on someone who told me "sometime on Wed, or between 2-6 or whatever".

Anyone can tell them "I will come by sometime on whatever day", but how many could say and stick to "I will be there Wed at 2pm". This will make the difference on most of the quotes and most times give you the job for this reason alone.

People value their time just like we do. If you show no concern for their time why do they need to hire you? They will see you like all the rest of the guys that are doing the work you are quoting. Try to seperate yourself from this pack.

Keep a daily planner and know what you should be doing at all times, and how long it should take you to complete those things. If you do this why cant you set a time for them? It will make the difference and increase your business by a huge margin.

Just my thoughts as a business man.

[darryl gesner]

GraZZmaZter - I inspect & measure the whole property, talk to the potential customer about how I do things and what to expect of eachother, show them pics of my properties and equipment and calculate a price, and of course, recommend how to improve the property to mutual benefit.

I don't know how things are in your neck of the woods, but a lot of the propeties here are big (over an acre), irregular in shape and can't be bid at just a glance...no cookie cutter subdivisions around here where one price fits all. Often the property boundaries aren't obvious either (very few fenced yards).

P.S.

Crazygator - Just saw your post after I sent mine (I'm in edit mode now) and I agree 100%.

[GraZZmaZter]

Hmm, i guess you guys are better than me at planning. I could never know what i am doing an exact time ever day. Too many variables...

What if my truck motor blows at 8:30 in the morning? That would send a ripple effect in my whole day right?

What if a client calls me over for weekly maintenance, and once i get there they want trees, removed, some pruning, fert, etc... than the rest of my times will be off.

I believe with the world getting more and more busier these days, its pretty common to have someone say they will come by on a day, not at an exact time.

I just got another call for a bid. Told the lady ill be there Wed. afternoon. What time she asked. I said i cant give an exact time. No problem she said, leave it in the mailbox.....woollaahhh...

I don't know how you guys do it. Good luck to all of you that can. Hopefully i will be more specific as my business grows and i am not wearing so many hats....

[crazygator]

Originally posted by GraZZmaZter
What if my truck motor blows at 8:30 in the morning? That would send a ripple effect in my whole day right?

What if a client calls me over for weekly maintenance, and once i get there they want trees, removed, some pruning, fert, etc... than the rest of my times will be off.


Motor blows then you have no choice than to call and tell everyone what happened. Yes things like that happens.

If I get to a client's place and they want/need extra stuff done its put onto another day and not done right then. I came only with weekly maintenance in mind and might have to bring other equipment or people....so another day there. But yes things do happen you cannot avoid.

If you try and keep close to schedule you should (should being used loosely) be able to tell someone a time and keep it. We are not perfect, but the more you try it the easier it will become.

But yes, things happen and it screws up everything for that day.....this is reality! :D

[darryl gesner]

GraZZmaZter - Yeah, well a blown motor might upset my schedule a little, but I do most of my estimates in the evening and weekends, so my schedule is pretty predictable at those times.

One of the reasons I set a specific time is so that I can meet and talk to the customer. I don't like just leaving the estimate, and I would never leave it in the mailbox (it's illegal you know).

We're selling a service, not a commodity, and since I'm such a likeable guy (LOL), I usually get the job if they have a chance to meet me. If people like and feel they can trust someone, they're likely to hire them. If you just drop a price in the mailbox, they have nothing to separate you from the competion except price.

Set yourself apart like Crazygator indicated, and you WILL see results.

[GraZZmaZter]

Like i say, i think i can begin to micro-organize once i can afford more detailed help.

It seems like now i am running around like a chicken with my head cut off half the time. I dont mind, i love staying busy. It just gets stressful at times.