Quotes and estimates

[dave1]

Do you break them down into labour and materials separately?

Ive just quoted for some work and customer has come back and questioned everything, how much is the boiler? How much for pipes and fitting etc? How much for labour over how many days etc?

 

[plumben]

Do you break them down into labour and materials separately?

Ive just quoted for some work and customer has come back and questioned everything, how much is the boiler? How much for pipes and fitting etc? How much for labour over how many days etc?

I just give the customer a price for the work, if I'm supplying all the gear, if they want a break down they'll have to pay me for an hours work to work it all out and then it'll be an estimate not quote, they'll start knocking 50p off the bill because you didn't use all the elbows you quoted for

 

[hammers4spanner]

Free estimates and free quotes breakdowns cost time which means chargeable.

They can take it or leave it.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

i do a materials and labour split but dont list and price every item just total materials

 

[Deleted member 7121]

All as one , if there starting to ask for break downs before the start its just not worth the hassle

 

[Chalked]

For bathrooms I split the quote into labour snd materials. But a boiler change is one price. If they start querying it, just ask them to get other quotes using the same boiler.

 

[jtsplumbing]

Simple answer NO, they will be internet shoppers, Give them the option of doing all the running around and supplying materials , just give them a Labour only price, With the understanding that all that comes off the van are your tools & any faulty items is down to them to sort out, They have to supply everything down to the last screw & rawlplug & be there to run around in case you need anything

 

[bert large]

One price for all of it.
Once you start breaking it down is when they start quibbling & it's not worth the hassle.

 

[oz-plumber]

I had one person I was quoting for a heating system installation - just last weekend.

I sent the quote through with the radiator sizes, boiler type, rad valves and other minor items required.

The bloke emailed me back and said they have purchased all the heating equipment from the supplier and it is ready at their place to be installed.

How much would I take off the quote?

I added up all the equipment he bought, deducted 20% from my buying price, and sent him through the 'revised quote'

He is not a happy camper, I would love to be the sales person he bought the equipment from.
It's been 4 days now and haven't heard a peep.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Add this policy to your quote when you send it:

 

[Riley]

I will explain why I'm buying things and what they're for but my prices are my business if they don't like it then they can lump it. I'm reassuringly expensive

 

[SimonG]

In the few instances where a cust has bought something after I have estimated. I give them a reduction at cost. I keep my overage, 30%, because I do.

As for breakdown, forget it. Free estimate and that's it, unless they want to pay for my time.

 

[Leo21]

All as one , if there starting to ask for break downs before the start its just not worth the hassle

Same. It just opens the door to loads of grief.

 

[julesverne]

only give one price supplied and fitted I don't get asked often to breakdown when they do in my head I say to myself my profit margin is my business not yours.
to the customer as politely as I can but probably isn't to them
I say when you do your shopping at morrisons do you ask them how much it costs them to buy a tin of baked beans.
I did used to do bathroom refurbs where they supplied the bathroom gear but they were always told happy to fit but any problems and they sorted it.
but in reality this never happened or the job would never get finished but I always added an extra couple of hours on top and when I explained why there was no objections