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Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

RE: Good idea or bad idea, giving estimates without physically viewing the job?

aaron61 · Guest

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:

Ugly Shingles wrote:

aaron61 wrote:

All sales & estimating time has been incorporated in our pricing wether I'm on a roof,in front of my computer or in front of the customer it has all been figured in to our overhead.Wether it by sqft or hourly.If your just giving them a number that's all they have to base their decision on.I would much rather be in front of them.That being said I have given many proposals by going to the property apraisers website & looking @ the sqft of the home.

With a roof cleaning shop on every corner in Florida you could have a valid point about closing the sale face to face.

If your sales are Incorporated into every price "Cost of doing business" then every sale you make over the phone banks you some bucks and that could add up. The time you save not "giving everyone personal prices" allows you more time to be on the roofs producing...

Why not hire people to do the roof cleaning and you spend more time closing more sales at higher prices?

Honestly! that's what I do! I have several employees and am just kickin the roof cleaning into its own seperate division. So at this point it's still kinda new to me and I'm still enjoying getting out there a bit.
I have to shut my estimating schedule down when I go out and do roof cleaning.

AC Lockyer · none

For an owner operator who doesn't desire to grow beyond that point it can be a tool in your belt.

I never allowed my sales reps to quote residential jobs without scheduling an appointment with the customer. Sure we lost a few but the ones who scheduled an appointment with us were much more serious.

AC

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

I let them know they need to be there for the quote, but not the job itself. Havent had 1 person complain about that.

aaron61 · Guest

I've given up on trying to predict a customer. There has been many times when I didn't want to make that 4 or 5th quote of the day after riding all over Tampa Bay all day.Thinking it's too far for the value only for that 1 to be the best repeat customer.
It's my job as a contractor/salesman. I love what I do!!

Treasure Coast Roof Cleaning · Guest

I gave a quote over the phone 1 time a few years back and got burned....... So ever since I have met with the customer or atleast did a drive by to look at it. Just added a sales person last week so there is no need to play the google earth guessing game on residential.

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

aaron61 wrote:

I've given up on trying to predict a customer. There has been many times when I didn't want to make that 4 or 5th quote of the day after riding all over Tampa Bay all day.Thinking it's too far for the value only for that 1 to be the best repeat customer.
It's my job as a contractor/salesman. I love what I do!!

I drove 57 miles on friday, one way, bitching the whole way cause of how far it was for a $500 estimate. Ended up being $900 and I got their neighbor for $600. Doing both on tuesday. Then got 2 calls from flyers I through in the neighborhood

Ugly Shingles LLC · Feb 13, 2011

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:
Why not hire people to do the roof cleaning and you spend more time closing more sales at higher prices?

Yep... I knew we were going there eventually. 100% true and that was what I did in the construction business....sold and managed jobs.

That's a notch up and most guys are not looking at it from that perspective though, in all reality you should hire a salesman at 10% and you could go fishing with AC everyday... AC would love it.

Were trying to build up the company a little more first, this is still a newer concept around here. Then maybe next year we can go fishing with AC.

We will see how it goes with the home shows and cable maybe we will be so buried in work that we can name our price, like back in the 90ties If you showed up at the house it was sold.

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

Ugly Shingles wrote:

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:
Why not hire people to do the roof cleaning and you spend more time closing more sales at higher prices?

Yep... I knew we were going there eventually. 100% true and that was what I did in the construction business....sold and managed jobs.

That's a notch up and most guys are not looking at it from that perspective though, in all reality you should hire a salesman at 10% and you could go fishing with AC everyday... AC would love it.

Were trying to build up the company a little more first, this is still a newer concept around here. Then maybe next year we can go fishing with AC.

We will see how it goes with the home shows and cable maybe we will be so buried in work that we can name our price, like back in the 90ties If you showed up at the house it was sold.

I dont think its possible in the first year or 2 in a young market, especially for someone whos never been in business. Someone like AC could jump into ANY market and make it happen and never spray a drop of bleach himself.

It also depends on what you want out of your company. Alot of guys want to be in the field forever and stay 1 truck. I actually WISH I wanted that. It would be a whole lot easier!! Lol. Unfortunately I have a strong desire to grow bigger and bigger, just never knew how to do it.

Ugly Shingles LLC · Feb 13, 2011

I dont think its possible in the first year or 2 in a young market, especially for someone whos never been in business. Someone like AC could jump into ANY market and make it happen and never spray a drop of bleach himself.

It also depends on what you want out of your company. Alot of guys want to be in the field forever and stay 1 truck. I actually WISH I wanted that. It would be a whole lot easier!! Lol. Unfortunately I have a strong desire to grow bigger and bigger, just never knew how to do it.

I been a self-built business owner my whole life, not soft wash roof cleaning, I use to tear them off and put on a new roof or a second story.

If a "salesmen" wants to make serious money they cannot do their own work, that's impossible, been down that road years ago!

IE A window salesman can write 2.5 million in sales and never touch or know how to install a window, you just need to sell yourself and know your product, and you can sell anything.

I would like to take this to the point, where I can do what I want, when I want, and still have fun doing it!

Roof Cleaning Little Rock Arkansas · Guest

I am making some changes this year to cut down on the expense and time wasted chasing 4-500 dollar leads all over creation. Meeting customers after 5:00 in the evening or even on Saturdays isnt the lifestyle I want. Dont get me wrong I dont mind working on a Saturday in the spring when the jobs are falling off of trees but I dont want to do that all season long.

I want to get out of the field so I can focus on chasing the bigger fish that I havent had time to focus on in the past. If the homeowner still wants to meet thats fine but Im not going to insist. I am doing an estimate in person this afternoon. The google maps and bing images are blocked by trees.......

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

Ugly Shingles wrote:

I dont think its possible in the first year or 2 in a young market, especially for someone whos never been in business. Someone like AC could jump into ANY market and make it happen and never spray a drop of bleach himself.

It also depends on what you want out of your company. Alot of guys want to be in the field forever and stay 1 truck. I actually WISH I wanted that. It would be a whole lot easier!! Lol. Unfortunately I have a strong desire to grow bigger and bigger, just never knew how to do it.

I been a self-built business owner my whole life, not soft wash roof cleaning, I use to tear them off and put on a new roof or a second story.

If a "salesmen" wants to make serious money they cannot do their own work, that's impossible, been down that road years ago!

IE A window salesman can write 2.5 million in sales and never touch or know how to install a window, you just need to sell yourself and know your product, and you can sell anything.

I would like to take this to the point, where I can do what I want, when I want, and still have fun doing it!

+1 ....I agree.

I wasnt referring to you with the "someone who never built a business comment", it was a general comment literally focused on people who havent built a business before and not targeted at anyone in specific.

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Awesome information here, guys! P.S. I closed the deal, scheduled for 3/20/2011 - WOOOO! First roof cleaning job of the season booked. Off to a much better start than last year (my first year).

Bee Clean Pressure Cleaning LLC · Guest

What about this idea tell the customer that the lowest price to do the house is X then if they are ok with the price set a date and see the house and add on what you need to for no gutters or heavy mold growth. If they accept the price start cleaning and add a deal if they take price when u get there! Hope that sounds right

-- Edited by Bee Clean Pressure Cleaning LLC on Monday 14th of February 2011 01:55:59 PM

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

In my experience, customers don't like when the price goes up! I'd rather set it and leave it unless absolutely necessary. I'd consider it my fault if I didn't view a residence and then underestimated.

SEE OUR WORK HERE!!! · Guest

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD wrote:

Awesome information here, guys! P.S. I closed the deal, scheduled for 3/20/2011 - WOOOO! First roof cleaning job of the season booked. Off to a much better start than last year (my first year).

Congrats on your first of the season booking.

AC Lockyer · none

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:

aaron61 wrote:

I've given up on trying to predict a customer. There has been many times when I didn't want to make that 4 or 5th quote of the day after riding all over Tampa Bay all day.Thinking it's too far for the value only for that 1 to be the best repeat customer.
It's my job as a contractor/salesman. I love what I do!!

I drove 57 miles on friday, one way, bitching the whole way cause of how far it was for a $500 estimate. Ended up being $900 and I got their neighbor for $600. Doing both on tuesday. Then got 2 calls from flyers I through in the neighborhood

Pop goes the corn!

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

Got 2 calls today from rock flyers I threw This morning, Then another from yard signs from this mornings jobs, then a call from a letter sent 3 months ago.

Multiple avenues is what brings in the busines guys. Don't rely on one or 2 things.

Roof Cleaning Bradenton FL 941-822-2454 · Guest

Scott,
How many homes are for sale in Houston Texas, think I am going to move. LOL
It is either Texas, Iowa or Virgina? Just kidding,
That is great things are kicking into gear or maybe they never stopped?
Kim R

andy hinson · Feb 15, 2011

In the past I did not agree with mapping a job and bidding over the phone That has changed.
I have contacted a business that actually measures the roof and sends a detailed report. A great presentation. I told him we really onle needed pitch and sq.ft. His price is still to high.
I'm quoting one today, three hours away. don't like it. Could get the wrong home.

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"