quoting jobs

[Maxxy]

Some out of the box questions.

Access equipment - (scissor lifs, booms) getting the right stuff for heights and restrictions/obstacles (eg the doorway it needs to enter the building through)

Site access- do you need to carry all your tools through a tiny doorway, meaning itll take a few hours to unload? And to roll cable drums through etc

Parking - Is the parking on street, or is there acarpark? Is it secure to leave your van unlocked if your going to and from regularly? Enough parking for all your workers, or do u need to 'vanpool'

Lifting equipment (for getting large drums off of lorries when they are delivered)

Onsite storage - is there safe storage? Or do you need to use JIT (just in time eg arrives when its needed, not stored)

Waste- is there a communal skip? Is the customer getting rid of the waste, or do you need to factor that into the costs.

Site security - will your tools get nicked when you are on your lunch break
Visitors book - do you all need to sign in and out?

Other workers - will other people be getting in your way, thus slowing your work down. Eg you can only do up to a certain level at a time before having to pull off so they can do their bit. In which case you should split the quote up - to ensure you get paid at reasonable intervals, even if the job equates to 5 weeks work stretched over 5 months.

Medical room - do they have one?

 

[RMS]

thanks maxxy

 

[Maxxy]

Oh and most importantly - is there a cafe nearby, and is the food good?

 

[Pensdown]

Quoting a large project is no different to quoting a small project, it just takes longer.

Sit down with the customer and make sure you clearly understand what they want. Don't assume anything, even if you feel stupid asking. Offer them advise based on your experience but don't try to sell them something they don't want.

Take loads of notes and make sure when you leave the meeting you know exactly what you are quoting for and when they expect the price back.

Break the project down into small sections and list all of the materials for each section. Add the labour rates to the materials take off.

Add overheads and profit plus any other costss, traveling time, non productive time etc.

By breaking the project down into small sections you minimise your risk of missing something and loosing money.

On most projects you will be quoting against other contractors so you have to make sure you're quoting eggs for eggs. Break your quotation down and don't just give a lump sum.

Make sure the quote is detailed so the customer knows what you have and haven't allowed for. List your exclusions ie out of hours working.

And finally, remember big projects very often equal big loses. There are loads of companies/builders out there looking for a "green" contractor with pound notes in their eyes

 

[Taylortwocities]

Per the above. MAke sure everything you have agreed to do is in writing. If they make a change, get a variation order - changes alter the price and the timescales!

TTC