How would you reply?

> "We got another estimate that was a bit lower. Is there any chance you could do it for less? Otherwise we will go with the other folks."
>
> My price? $750, for about 6 to 8 hours of work.
>
> It seems odd that they are asking me to lower my price - why don't they just take the lower one that they already have? So I think they may be lying.
>
> Normally, I'd just say no, and move on. But things are slow enough now that I could use this little job, but I'm not going to work for free.
>
> Whether they are telling the truth or not, what is the best way to reply to something like this in order to try to get the job?
>
> Jeff

It's either they are fibbing to you, or they really like your work, but don't want to pay the price you quoted. It's always something...

I'd say stand firm and see what happens, but then again... I'm not in your shoes.

I hope it goes to your advantage, which ever way it goes.

Carl

" Dear Sir/Madame;

I would stongly suggest you accept the lowballer's quote and learn to live with it. It will lead you to exciting and mysterious places.
Once you have settled out of court, I will be glad to provide you with a quote to redo your survey. Underatand that the new figure will be significantly higher than berore. Just because.

Thamjewbellymulch,

The Surveyor Not Chosen"

Sometimes a key approach is to be assured they are comparing apples to apples. Have a well defined scope as provided by them, and make sure they understand any differences. Ask a lot of questions. A little schmoozing never hurts and may only take 10 minutes on the phone.

But I will suggest that in most parts, a day's field work, plus the research, the plat, etc.... is about double your quote.

Good luck.

I am with Carl - i wouldnt lower my price - doesnt look good all the way around -but we are not in your shoes like he says..

Like Wayne said.... Check and see if they want to revise your scope of service.

Never lower your price without revising the scope of the project!!!

It has always been my opinion that as soon as you drop your price to get the job, your integrity flies out the window. I would imagine that your price was lower than you wanted it to be anyhow.

I have used the fact that I could do the survey work quicker than the other surveyor, but I would end the conversation by saying that I could not go any lower in price. I've seen about a 33% success rate with that strategy.

This an approach I have used successfully...

Dear Prospective Client:

The fee previously quoted is based on my experience and knowledge of the area. It is my best estimate of the level of work necessary to successfully complete the project without cutting corners or rendering diminished service.

As a Professional Land Surveyor, I do not believe in providing "low ball" fees and then tacking on extras at billing time. Nor do I believe in haggling over fees. I am proud of my work and my reputation as are my clients.

If you feel that cost is the sole measure of professional service, please feel free to engage the other surveyor.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at your convenience.

If I may be of service to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me again!

Respectfully,

Gomaticus

We are NOT tradesmen. Let's stopping acting like tradesmen.

Can we all have permission to use that?

Very well put, top to bottom.

Thanks Ian, I've been wanting to say that for a long time, I just couldn't put it into words.

You don't mind if we use that, do you? 🙂

Thank you,

Dugger

:good:

I like that answer. Lowering the price without changing the scope implies to the buyer that you were charging too much to begin with I would think.

> How would you reply

my answer normally depends on the size of my bank roll and how busy i am. if i need money and i am slow i am flexible, but try not to leave money on the table. if i am busy and my accounts are in good shape i wish them good luck and maybe we can work together again soon.

ditto...good reponse Ian.

> Never lower your price without revising the scope of the project!!!

Yes, that's something I learned long ago!

Unfortunately, they just want one line staked for a fence. There's not much here to leave out. Maybe one less stake?:-P

And as others have mentioned, this is half the price I would have liked to get - it's in an old area, monuments nearby (buried stone bounds - hard to find), but I had surveyed it 20 years ago and thought I had a good chance with a low price.

I really like doing these small residential projects, but homeowners have no idea what a survey is worth. I had one guy last week ask for an existing conditions plan of the (private) road in front of his house to help with relocating the pavement, and he asked "How much do you think that will be? $125?"

Thank you, Ian!

That is exactly what I was looking for.

Jeff

Tommy:

For you, absolutely!

Everyone else, too...

tell him to get an ironclad agreement with the other firm so they don't change work order him to twice your price. we had a 50k estimate that was under bid at 5k. when they change work ordered him up to 70k, the guy came back and asked how much for us to complete their work.

50k.

"How much do you think that will be? $125?"

"Well, yes, after the first hour. The first hour is $200."

Certainly it is tempting when you really nead the job, but where do you think this will lead? The way you do buisiness will go down hill. The way other surveyors think of you will too, and sooner or later they will know. Maybe most important, when word gets around your clients, they will all expect to haggle with you. If that's the way you like to do business, you might consider pricing everything high and then haggling it all down.