Quotes and estimates - How long do you spend preparing etc

[matt h]

Here i am at this silly hour of the morning and i've just finished writing up estimates and quotes. I may get one out of the three, in fact I'm sure to get 1out of 3, but sometimes I wonder if it really is worth the effort... I'm going to be wasted tomorrow about lunchtime, and I've three jobs to finish so have to work til about 9.
How much time each week do you guys spend on quoting and such as opposed to actual graft, and what's your average timewaster to job ratio? ???

[Rich H]

An average domestic site survey takes 20-30 minutes plus travelling. A couple of years ago I developed an automated spreadsheet to do my estimating for decks (timber, labour), patios (sand, cement, scalpings, skip hire, etc.) and block paving (same again). It takes about 15 minutes to enter all the information and then another 10-15 minutes to write the quote.

I reckon 1-1/2 to 2 hours all-in per quote. I usually 3-4 a week so that's 4-1/2 to 8 hours in total.

My conversion rate is 75%-80% since I put all my eggs in the BNI basket, and used to be 25%-33% before (based on leaflets and print advertising).

[Pablo]

I have 11 pre written quotes for my most popular types of work and all I do is ammend the m2 material spec and a few other wee bits and bobs to make it all correct. For multiple works I just copy and paste. Did a quote at the weekend for 2 1/2 acre garden possible 6 figure budget and it only took just over 2 hrs. Normal driveway would take 10mins.

[Tony McC]

When I was contracting in the residential market, I had a version of the spreadsheets that are posted somewhere on the main site. They'd do the sums for me in next to no time, but keeping the materials prices database up-to-date took a couple or three hours per month, and, of course, you still have the site visits and assessments.

Once the site had been measured up, it would be plotted into CAD, which would then output the area and perimeter to a spreadsheet (assuming this was a block paved driveway) which would churn out the quantities and price, outputting the total area, type of block, pattern, kerb detail and drainage considerations to a quote template. Print it out, get the CAD to print out a drawing of the site and proposed driveway/patio, bung them in an envelope and wait for the 'phone to ring.

Meanwhile, the system had alternative output for the ganger in charge of the job, listing materials, quantities and time schedule, along with rates of pay. The CAD prog would spew out a colour drawing for setting out, so there was less risk of error or the customer changing their mind and claiming it was me that got the plans wrong.

I reckon a typical 30-70m² driveway could be surveyed in 30 mins, plus another 30 mins to draw it out and print out the pricing. I'd probably view 3-4 jobs per day, all of which made for very busy evenings, not much sleep, never seeing my kids, lots of stress and a heart attack at 39.

And then people ask me if I miss it? Of course I do!!!



Edited By Tony McC on 1197495323

[matt h]

so I'M NOT THE ONLY DAFT SOD BURNING THE MIDNIGHT OIL AFTER ALL. Like the idea of material price data base, but doubt i could keep it up all on my lonesum.. being a bit of a techno phobe that is:p

[Rich H]

Gaffer's system sounds very comprehensive and professional.

Mine is a lot more basic but deals with most of my needs. For patios, I put in the area and perimeter, and the sq.m price of the slabs and the spreadsheet calculates all the materials, equipment and labour. I have the same for turfing, decking and block paving. Often they need a bit of a tweak if, e.g. if access is bad, but generally not.

My database is accurate enough and I only update it every six months or so, e.g. turf is £1.75/m and has been for a couple of years, sleepers are £25, etc. Timber went up a lot last year so that had to be kept up to date regularly.

When I relied on print advertising I used to do 12-20 calls per week in the summer, and that's rough on you and your family.

[lutonlagerlout]

i have tried various guides but normally end up doing it my old man's way i.e. working out quantities etc then a price for materials and labour,its a lot more complicated on extensions than new build as nothing is ever straightforward
most double extensions now we allow 25 6 yd skips,which sounds a lot at first ,but that is about our median amount for a double
also a lot of guys like scaffolders dont like having to price 10 jobs when they only get one so we have to guestimate what they will want,i dont like doing it this way but it has worked ok for the OF for years
cheers LLL

[Dave_L]

When I was contracting in the residential market, I had a version of the spreadsheets that are posted somewhere on the main site.

Sounds just like what I'm after - any ideas where they might be buried Tone?