Quote:
Originally Posted by Blake Foster
I have a excel spread sheet that I use to HELP Estimate jobs, it is not perfect but it does help. one thing I notice is that when you lay it all out and show the customer on paper what the REAL cost is.......... most are scared away.
this is a good thing!
It is odd to me that this is about the only profession that I can think of where you give an ESTIMATE before you ever see the job, then do work and hope you get paid, all the way along till the LAST invoice then the whining starts and the negotiating and nit picking and the builder takes it in the shorts every time. contract or no contract.
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You've got to learn to qualify your customers. That first meeting when they're asking you all sorts of questions, interviewing you, you've got to be doing the same. Last thing you need is what you describe above. That outcome isn't good for anyone on either side.