My (future) client:
Thank you for getting that back to me so quickly. However, I had no idea a survey cost that much. That isn't something we can afford to do right now. I think we will just talk to or neighbors to see what they know about the property lines. Thanks again though for getting the quote to me that quickly. Sorry to waste your time. When the time comes that we do need a survey for one of our houses we will keep you in mind.
My response:
No problem at all. It is my pleasure.
This is a very good excuse to talk to your neighbors.
That sounds like an excellent plan.
Take care.
Brad
Brad,
At least you got a reply. Sometimes when I prepare a formal proposal, and email it to the potential client, I never hear back. I will follow up with a phone call, and they always say that they got it, but had no idea it was going to be that expensive, or that someone else will do it for less.
I have started to work up the price, call them back with the price, and then prepare the formal proposal. It does save some time.
You win some, and you lose some.
Good luck,
Jimmy
Many times
Many times all they need to know is a rough idea as to what it SHOULD take to do the job. After they reach for their heart pills, they sputter and stammer and suddenly find all sorts of reasons as to why they probably need to stop thinking about having a survey done. If they actually survive the initial SWAG then you can begin to explain to them what all is involved and help them determine precisely what they must have done as opposed to what they probably told you at the start. Then offer to work up a better estimate based on some fairly simple assumptions.
Had a guy call a few days ago. I shot him an incredibly low number. He admitted that was a lot lower than another number he had been given. Still, it was far higher than he could afford without saving up for a couple of months. If he really wanted to save money he would get rid of the giant dog he has. The town where he lives just passed some new regulations relative to dogs. He will need to construct a fence around most of his little tract. The fence will cost considerably more than the very inexpensive survey fee I was offering.
Many times
I usually give them the starting price for a simple lot survey. That usually weeds out the bargain shoppers.
"My response:
No problem at all. It is my pleasure.
This is a very good excuse to talk to your neighbors.
That sounds like an excellent plan.
Take care.
Brad"
A true professional with superior business acumen.
Have a great week! B-)
ps: ready for another road trip?;-)
That was the first thing I thought of too.
I would call that win-win or at least he
would know what he was facing pricewise.
Either way was a nice response.