It's always best to give a price right on the spot. I can't tell you how many times I've given an estimate on the spot and then they said, "sounds great! When can you start?" And in doing so, I have totally eliminated the competition. Had I gone back a few days later with a bid, I probably would have lost out to some other LCO who was quicker than me. Plus, why would I want to go back a second time anyway?
First thing you need to understand is that there's a difference between a bid (estimate) and a service agreement (contract). Everyone gets a bid. But only after someone says they want to sign up should they get a service agreement or contract.
Over the years I must have given over maintenance bids and have had several hundred maintenance customers over the last 10 years. So here's my typical meeting with a customer (and this is the most professional way to do it, IMO):
Knock on door....."Hi, Ms. Jones? Hi, I am Jim Lewis with Lewis Landscape Services....good to meet you too....listen, I am just going to take a quick peak around your yard and I'll be right back to your door in a few minutes with your bid....okay, see you in a few minutes." ... and the door closes. Sometimes they want to walk around the property with me. But 75% of the time, they are happy to just let me walk around on my own.
So I'll take a look around, quickly fill out my bid sheet (see a pic. of my bid sheet below) and then I go back up to the door. Of course, I am wearing a professional uniform and carrying a professional metal contractors estimating case too. My whole point is to look the part of a big, professional company. Which we are. But I did it this way even back when it was just me. Anyway, so I lean toward them, showing them the bid sheet, but not giving it to them yet. I explain every facet of our service. What exactly we do, how often we come, and then finally I point out the price. Then I give it to them and wait for them to speak.
Sometimes they are anxious to get started right away and want to know how to sign up. Sometimes they want to discuss it with a spouse first. Sometimes they just say, "Thanks. We'll let you know." and shut the door. I really don't care which one they do. It's just a numbers game. I know if they don't sign up probably the next one will. My motto is "some will, some won't, so what!" I don't put any pressure on them. If they are excited to get started right away, then I'll be excited to start working for them right away! If they want to wait and talk it over, I make sure to let them know that's perfectly okay. I tell them I hope to hear from them later and it was nice to meet them. Then, I'm off to the next estimate.
I'll attach a copy of our bid / estimate sheet. It's nice to have something like this all ready to go. Then you just fill in the price and explain it to them. It flows real well and it makes you look professional.
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