Most customers tend to minimize the extent of cleaning needed and how many square feet. I can't tell you how many times someone has called just looking for a quick price & provide a square foot number that does not match the propoert apraisers. They also leave out the garage.
Isn't this whole calculator thing even worse than giving a estimate over the phone.
What happened to the personal presentation, and the up selling?
I understand some times we don't want to drive far to give an estimate, but the calculator thing would tell the customer ok I know what his price is so let me get another estimate, and the other guys shows up and steels the job,
I know Ugly Bob seems to be a pretty sharp dude, probably sharper than me lol. The calculator thing seems off to me.
My thought, the only way it would work well is if the customer thought the estimate was cheap enough to not even bother calling anyone else, but if they do call someone else and the other guy shows up in person and if his price is comparable I would think that the person that showed up would more than likely be rewarded the job, especially if he said we can knock it right now?
Maybe it's just the Old School... Old man way of thinking.... ????
I need to see the job, talk with the customer..... be a sales man.....
Donnie, I think we always need to keep an open mind on new things too, I think a mix of a lot of things is better, which I'm sure Ugly Bob is doing. the calculator thing is just a part of it>
volume marketing, and personal presentation sales sounds good too.
Yes, I know..... that's why I'm here ... to try and learn from others experiences..... I realize that MY way... may not always be the Best way... even tho I've been doing that way for so long....
80% of our estimates are between 600-800. We really have not figured out how to touch a roof for much less than 400, 2 men x 3 hours, fuel, liability, and travel. My math says that I might make 200 on that job. When it comes down to money or price, we sell value, if the HO see's the value, clients will pay more. Now, if your in flooded market, price will be more of an issue. Low Price will not keep you in business, good marketing, good service and good profits will. Maybe you can make it up in volume, but with about 10% market awareness, who knows?
Cheap seafood isn't good, and good seafood isn't cheap.
From what I have see on the calculators, it will be hard to come down when necessary. There might be a reason that the largest home service providers, Scotts , Tru-Green, Terminix and other like companies don't offer them.
Maybe it's just the Old School... Old man way of thinking.... ????
I need to see the job, talk with the customer..... be a sales man.....
Donnie, I think we always need to keep an open mind on new things too, I think a mix of a lot of things is better, which I'm sure Ugly Bob is doing. the calculator thing is just a part of it>
volume marketing, and personal presentation sales sounds good too.
I'm too busy working don't have time to visit unless I was selling the job for 8 or 10 thousand than I would be more then happy to sip a cup of tea with y'all... and give you my life story on how I use to walk up hill 6 miles in a snow blizzard, barefoot to school every day, but not over a couple hundred dollars roof cleaning profit.
I agree you have to be starting around $400 bucks and thats for one side of the roof. I once told a guy the job would be about $400 over the phone ,when I got there it was $420 { I know sad} he flipped out that I said $400 and I didn't do the job. Yes the $20 was not much of a difference for either of us but I learned no more estimates over the phone. I think the calculator will cause the same problem.
I agree you have to be starting around $400 bucks and thats for one side of the roof. I once told a guy the job would be about $400 over the phone ,when I got there it was $420 { I know sad} he flipped out that I said $400 and I didn't do the job. Yes the $20 was not much of a difference for either of us but I learned no more estimates over the phone. I think the calculator will cause the same problem.
When I get a call from a customer and they ask me how much it will cost I tell them I need to see their roof to give them a rough estimate so I get the customer to take some picture's of their roof and downspouts, landscape and send it to my email, I get work that is a 2 to 3 hr drive sometimes and this works, the customer is happy with the quick reply.
I agree you have to be starting around $400 bucks and thats for one side of the roof. I once told a guy the job would be about $400 over the phone ,when I got there it was $420 { I know sad} he flipped out that I said $400 and I didn't do the job. Yes the $20 was not much of a difference for either of us but I learned no more estimates over the phone. I think the calculator will cause the same problem.
When I get a call from a customer and they ask me how much it will cost I tell them I need to see their roof to give them a rough estimate so I get the customer to take some picture's of their roof and downspouts, landscape and send it to my email, I get work that is a 2 to 3 hr drive sometimes and this works, the customer is happy with the quick reply.
That is interesting! how do you guys drive 2-3 hours away and make it worth your while? I can understand if your cleaning additional roofs on the way or on the way back. you will have more windshield time than working time?
I just had a guy call me and he wants two roofs done, one is in my area, and another is 11/2 away. I told him I would have to charge a conciderable amount more for the one far away.
I agree you have to be starting around $400 bucks and thats for one side of the roof. I once told a guy the job would be about $400 over the phone ,when I got there it was $420 { I know sad} he flipped out that I said $400 and I didn't do the job. Yes the $20 was not much of a difference for either of us but I learned no more estimates over the phone. I think the calculator will cause the same problem.
When I get a call from a customer and they ask me how much it will cost I tell them I need to see their roof to give them a rough estimate so I get the customer to take some picture's of their roof and downspouts, landscape and send it to my email, I get work that is a 2 to 3 hr drive sometimes and this works, the customer is happy with the quick reply.
That is interesting! how do you guys drive 2-3 hours away and make it worth your while? I can understand if your cleaning additional roofs on the way or on the way back. you will have more windshield time than working time?
I just had a guy call me and he wants two roofs done, one is in my area, and another is 11/2 away. I told him I would have to charge a conciderable amount more for the one far away.
That's what I do too, extra for fuel and time. The reason I do the drive is because there is no one else in the area to do the job and it looks good for business I don't mind driving if its worth it and the customer appreciate's you going out of your way to help them out.
Dan, why is it cheaper to clean a 2 story roof than a 1 story according to your calculator? Or am I doing something wrong?
I was wondering the same thing. I would think going up the ladder would make you more money since it is more risk.
because a two story house generally has less square footage, a ranch is spread out.
I climb two stories all the time and once I get up there, I say to my self their isn't even no square footage up here lol
their usually not as dirty either, because ranches are flatter.
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Lanoka Harbor NJ 609-971-6553 on Thursday 9th of February 2012 08:03:45 PM
You got it Clyde. I was trying to explain this to several people just because the building is higher doesn't mean their is more roof, but if the building is longer their is definitely more roof. I tweaked the calculator around because once you get to 3 stories the difficulty increases.