[slickshift]

Interesting discussion on Contractor Talk but was off-topic as per the OP
I thought it deserved it's own thread
As painting can be different from other trades in this regard, I'd like to discuss it here

I shy away from "estimates"...must be the E-Myth thing or something along the line got me to stop calling them estimates

I've used the phrase
"I don't give estimates, I give promises"
More than once or twice when asked for my "estimate"
I'm sure it's helped me close more than a few

I do call them bids though...or proposals depending on how (and who) I am referring to them

 

[Nathan]

"I don't give estimates, I give promises"

.... Sorry, but I just can't do sales speak. I'm sure it's effective though.

I do call them bids though...or proposals depending on how (and who) I am referring to them

In the upper right hand corner of the bid is the word PROPOSAL. I usually put "Free Estimates" on my advertising though. It's a term people associate with a bid and right or wrong I don't want to get missed because they don't see the E word on my ad.

Maybe I'm off though.

I do understand the logic... Estimate seems like something that could change later. Interesting. Looking forward to reading what others are doing.

 

[painttofish]

An estimate is just that, an estimated cost. The total could be higher or lower. 99% of customers won't except that. A bid or proposal is the precise amount for the job. At least thats how I see it. For some reason my advertising states FREE ESTIMATES. hmm?:blink:

 

[painttofish]

weird, I read slickshifts thread, posted my reply, and nathan posted his reply with eery similarity just before me(free estimates in advertising)

 

[Nathan]

weird, I read slickshifts thread, posted my reply, and nathan posted his reply with eery similarity just before me(free estimates in advertising)

I would bet that we aren't the only ones doing this...

 

[slickshift]

.... Sorry, but I just can't do sales speak. I'm sure it's effective though.

Ha ha ha...yeah it works
I only use it when it seems to fit though
Even the guys that know it's "sales speak" seem to appreciate it
I felt it was a good response to those fearing the "estimate"
I see their point, the term implies it may go up
You get an estimate of $350 for a timing belt from your mechanic
Nobody actually pays $350 for a timing belt....ever....
It's ALWAYS more by the time they are done

Saying "It's not an estimate, it's a bid" or "it's not an estimate, it's a proposal" doesn't carry the same weight

 

[Nathan]

Saying "It's not an estimate, it's a bid" or "it's not an estimate, it's a proposal" doesn't carry the same weight

Very true... that wouldn't mean anything to most people.


I'm not knocking your sales techniques btw... I know they are effective and genuine. I'm just a bad sales man. I can never bring myself to do the most basic things such as ask for the job at the end of a proposal, catch phrases, or anything else. I just give a price and tell them what I do.

 

[Workaholic]

I read the thread on CT and many there said that they do not use the term bid. I usually say bid or proposal, depends on who i am speaking to.

 

[Rich]

When I am looking over a job, I (sometimes) give the potential customer an estimate of the expected cost, but I always tell them it is only a rough estimate

When I actually write up the job to present it, it is a proposal and that is what I call it from that point on

I usually say bid more casually, like if I'm talking to my wife I'll say..."yeah, I bid this job today"

 

[Finaltouch]

I like the word proposal. It sounds more professional and looks better on paper. Although in my advertising I put "FREE ESTIMATES". "FREE PROPOSALS" don't sound that good. And like other said estimates are just that, they can go up or down. I like to have a firm price and stick to it unless the scope of the work changes. It's kind of like the dif between a "Customer" and a Client".

 

[Nathan]

Kind of a side comment but somewhat related. I was talking to another forum admin the other day and they mentioned that they changed the wording to sign up a new member. Instead of "Register" he's using "Join" and his sign ups increased. It's just another example of how wording can make all the difference in how someone feels and feelings are what cause people to act.

 

[DiBs]

I like the word proposal. It sounds more professional and looks better on paper. Although in my advertising I put "FREE ESTIMATES". "FREE PROPOSALS" don't sound that good. And like other said estimates are just that, they can go up or down. I like to have a firm price and stick to it unless the scope of the work changes. It's kind of like the dif between a "Customer" and a Client".

Took the words right out of my keyboard! Well Put!

 

[sunnydays]

My Cards and ads say estimates but my final paerwork says "proposal"