Estimating help

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SiddMartin

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I'm am new to giving estimates on my own and need some help. I just had a meeting with a HO for a basement remodel. We walked through and he explained what he wants. Now, my question is, do I suggest ideas now during this process or do I get the basics of what he wants and then after I have the contract sell him the idea as an extra? The way I did it, was as we walked through I upsold on everything I could think of, accent lighting, dimmers, extra this, future that, and he took most of it. The other stuff, I am splitting up and giving an estimate to him as "Option B", so he can see the expense if he wants the certain extras.

Is this a good way? I know that you can make your money on extras, and just wanna know where you guys have success.
 
It'll take time to get comfortable and find out what works for you. I usually wait until the job is mine to upsell. It's good at the start to be confident & knowledgeable so they'll decide to work with you.

Dave
 
SiddMartin said:
Is this a good way? I know that you can make your money on extras, and just wanna know where you guys have success.
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You can only make money on extras if your existing rate is making a profit after all you overhead and oprtating expenses are cleared, for us that requires a break even rate of $82 per hour on remod jobs, everyones breake even will differ, try to offer all the options up front, so they know their complete job cost.
 
satcom said:
You can only make money on extras if your existing rate is making a profit after all you overhead and oprtating expenses are cleared, for us that requires a break even rate of $82 per hour on remod jobs, everyones breake even will differ, try to offer all the options up front, so they know their complete job cost.
Click to expand...


This is what I used to do as well. I usually would total the estimate at the time of the visit so they could make a determination as to what they wanted or didn't want. Then asked them when they wanted us to start.
 
It's called and Add / Alternate. List the price for what the customer wants, then add and show the alternate.

If you can qualify the function of this go for it. They don't have to agree
and you can strike any line item just re-total.
 
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