So I went ahead and bought credits for Thumbtack. Got a quote request and got denied. So my question is if you use thumbtack how do you get the bid? I definately dont want to underbid but I had a lady say she had 1k-5k sqft yard and its been 3 weeks and grass was 6"-9" length. This was my response with a quote of $45. "45 is estimated due to higher grass and assuming just the front yard. For more accurate quote I would need to see the property" well I got denied. Any tips to have better chance to get hired?
How to get the bid using thumbtack???
Steve-1
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So I went ahead and bought credits for Thumbtack. Got a quote request and got denied. So my question is if you use thumbtack how do you get the bid? I definately dont want to underbid but I had a lady say she had 1k-5k sqft yard and its been 3 weeks and grass was 6"-9" length. This was my response with a quote of $45. "45 is estimated due to higher grass and assuming just the front yard. For more accurate quote I would need to see the property" well I got denied. Any tips to have better chance to get hired?
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1,009 Posts
This is good news. Means your not low ballin. This is how I do it. I have a base price on mowing a certain size lot. When a potential customer hits me on thumbtack. I respond with I would need to see your property before setting a final price. You then get the address. Use google street view/google earth to view property. Use the find lot size app to measure it. This gives you a loose number in your head. Go walk the property and adjust said number. Mine usually goes up. Don't ever lower your price to get work. You change tactics to get people who can afford your prices.
Your mileage may very.
1/3 acre $35
1/4 acre $45
1/2 acre $55
3/4 acre $65
1 acre $75
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1,361 Posts
It's not about price, it's about value.
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1,200 Posts
I have used Thumbtack, off and on, for a couple years. Here is what I have found:
Fill out your profile as thoroughly as possible. Answer a bunch of the extra questions, add pics, etc.
Don't provide a price, just say you would need to see the property.
In your response make sure to be personable and professional. Emphasize a couple benefits of working with you, and let them know you really hope to be able to work with them. My goal is for my response to be so well crafted that they think, "this guy is probably more expensive, but I would love to work with him".
Don't expect to get a response from more than 1 out of every 4 or 5 leads, at best.
Because of the response rate I have found that a client costs $15-$20 on Thumbtack. So one time mowing or small cleanups doesn't make sense to chase.
Don't assume they are all cost shoppers. Some just don't know how to find a good contractor, or have filled out contact forms on 4 of your competitor's sites, got no response, and now are desperate. (I have actually used it that way myself for a parking lot resurfacing job).
Hope that helps!
Fill out your profile as thoroughly as possible. Answer a bunch of the extra questions, add pics, etc.
Don't provide a price, just say you would need to see the property.
In your response make sure to be personable and professional. Emphasize a couple benefits of working with you, and let them know you really hope to be able to work with them. My goal is for my response to be so well crafted that they think, "this guy is probably more expensive, but I would love to work with him".
Don't expect to get a response from more than 1 out of every 4 or 5 leads, at best.
Because of the response rate I have found that a client costs $15-$20 on Thumbtack. So one time mowing or small cleanups doesn't make sense to chase.
Don't assume they are all cost shoppers. Some just don't know how to find a good contractor, or have filled out contact forms on 4 of your competitor's sites, got no response, and now are desperate. (I have actually used it that way myself for a parking lot resurfacing job).
Hope that helps!
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3,998 Posts
So you charge more for a 1/4 acre than you charge for a 1/3 acre.?
1/3 of an acre is larger.
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1,009 Posts
Ouch yeah was at work trying to type fast those numbers should be flipped
1/4 $35
1/3 $45
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4 Posts
I don't know about you guys, but I get more frustrated with Thumbtack than anywhere else. It costs like $10 to give somebody a quote, and then you need to compete with 4 other dudes. The person who submitted the quote isn't even locked in to picking somebody. My daughter does these videos for my facebook.
They get me more calls than any thumbtacking does. She uses this thing called animoto and its free
They get me more calls than any thumbtacking does. She uses this thing called animoto and its free
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249 Posts
I've been using thumbtack for about 3 weeks. I've gotten 3 good accounts from it but I've done a few overgrown one time cuts that I have gotten paid well for. Overall it's not worth the aggravation. Seems like almost every bid is for a one time cut that hasn't been mowed in a couple months in sketchy areas with lowballers. I have learned to never give a price upfront. Always ask to meet with them Or at least ask for the address so you can see what you are getting into before you bid. You will lose jobs by not giving a price up front but you will be doing yourself a favor by passing on those jobs. Trust me on that. I look forward to the day I can get by without this service. It does help when starting out to get some practice selling yourself and your services to use on better properties down the line.
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I picked up 1 job so far on thumbtack. Vacant busines, 4k sq ft lot, property owners out of state. quick $40 twice month. Still have 17 credits out of 30 left. Im not going to replenish once its out. I picked up a one time $100 job today from craigslist that could very well turn into $70 weeekly for me!
I had somebody from home advisor call me, guess thwy foundme on CL. Yeah im not forking over $300 either.
I had somebody from home advisor call me, guess thwy foundme on CL. Yeah im not forking over $300 either.
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1,009 Posts
Right now I'm in the running on a hughe property. The family just closed on the 2+ acre property. He wants all shrubs trimmed also. Only 2 other bids offered on thumbtack. Just waiting on the green light.
Rained out so catching up on the forums.
I have used thumb for about 2 years. At first it was hard to win a bid. But after I got that first review, It seamed easier. I also get about 1 out of 10. But its the referral's that help's with the roi.
What I don't like about thumb is you will receive request for (lets say cutter cleaning 2 story building). And looking at the map on the bid, i know there is a trailer park in that area, no 2 story buildings.
I feel they are paying someone to put out false leades to get us to bid on them. But it has worked for me. Pick and choose your areas.
just my thoughts
I have used thumb for about 2 years. At first it was hard to win a bid. But after I got that first review, It seamed easier. I also get about 1 out of 10. But its the referral's that help's with the roi.
What I don't like about thumb is you will receive request for (lets say cutter cleaning 2 story building). And looking at the map on the bid, i know there is a trailer park in that area, no 2 story buildings.
I feel they are paying someone to put out false leades to get us to bid on them. But it has worked for me. Pick and choose your areas.
just my thoughts
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1,009 Posts
I figure it's gonna be different from state to state. But like I've mentioned I quadrupled in accounts from thumbtack. I still have a box of door hangers,post cards. Don't even need them. I'm getting about 15 alerts from thumbtack a day. And all I can do is hit pass on the work. I'm maxed out!
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I've narrowed my requests on thumbtack. I've narrowed the distance and I changed the frequency to reoccurring. One thing I quickly found on on thumbtack is the yards (size, length of grass) is not what they say. On another note, I have decided now to concentrate close to my house and work my way out.
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220 Posts
Ive had good success with Thumbtack. Almost all of the bids Ive won turned into regulars. I bid fast....Thumbtack says I bid higher than my competition and win more bids. I think I bid the going rate. I think speed in response and reviews is a big deal. I have a lot of 5 star reviews. Nothing special just did a normal job but they appreciated it.
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