I just sent out 2 proposals for work that I desperately need. I hope I didn't sound to desperate, because I let them know that I would REALLLLY like to do the work.
Do you think that hurts my chances?
Does any body have a good way of getting work they desperately need?
TIA
Dugger
It is a fine line there, don't beg, however letting your client know the this job is right up your alley and perfect timing....well that is just good marketing.
Dugger
No, I think you are fine.
I just did the same thing, sent out a proposal for a simple rectangular lot/block property, subdivided in the early 70's.
I gave him a killer price and told him that.
here is the response i got back
"We are pretty strapped for cash right now. How much would it cost us just to find 2 property lines? East and West?"
-
-- I just don't know what to say anymore --
?
yeah but they don't need the north and south lines LOL.
WOW
It's amazing how some people think.
Draw him a picture of a rectangle and show him how establishing 2 of the lines automatically creates the other 2.
Amazing......
That's a new one. I've heard "I don't need a survey, I just want to know where my corners are" but just wanting two of the four lines? Jeez.
sounds like a great time for a special - buy 4 corners get 2 lines FREE!
I gave out a fee to update a survey in an area I rarely work in, the guy called back and asked if I could match another surveyor at $100 or so less. NOPE. good luck. bye. don't loose any sleep over it.
It ok to cover your assets by bringing cashflow into your business. Just don't spoil your clients into thinking that everything costs now because the backlog is gone.
Had a call few days ago needing a new date on something I had surveyed near 10yrs ago. I made the survey of a new home at 80% complete so the contractor could make his last draw and finish. Told them I would have t visit the property and show any improvements and update the legal information if any adjoiner had changed.
All they wanted was a new date. Said can not change the date if I haven't revisited the property.
As to your question, I don't have any real advice except to make a few new contacts, let any of the busy clients you have to remember to include you in their process if possible and expand into areas that you do not normally work.
Probably depends on the client
> I just sent out 2 proposals for work that I desperately need. I hope I didn't sound to desperate, because I let them know that I would REALLLLY like to do the work.
>
> Do you think that hurts my chances?
I'd say that it mostly depends on the client. Some clients, the sharks, will smell blood in the water. I'd say that you should be communicating responsiveness rather than *need*. Many clients want to hire professionals who are really going to focus on their work. The trick, such as it is, is knowing who the sharks are.
Probably depends on the client
> The trick, such as it is, is knowing who the sharks are.
There in, lies the rub.....
Probably depends on the client
> > The trick, such as it is, is knowing who the sharks are.
>
> There in, lies the rub.....
Well, here are my rules of thumb :
1) All home builders* are sharks.
* unless they are cost-plus builders.
2) All developers are sharks.
3) All prospective clients who come from cultures in which bargaining is normal will behave sharkishly.
4) Most prospective clients whose station in life comes with god-like powers, such as doctors and executives of large companies, will behave sharkishly if given the slightest chance.
There are others.
Probably depends on the client
> Well, here are my rules of thumb :
>
> 1) All home builders* are sharks.
>
> * unless they are cost-plus builders.
>
> 2) All developers are sharks.
>
> 3) All prospective clients who come from cultures in which bargaining is normal will behave sharkishly.
>
> 4) Most prospective clients whose station in life comes with god-like powers, such as doctors and executives of large companies, will behave sharkishly if given the slightest chance.
>
> There are others.
You should teach a seminar at the State Conference 🙂
I'd pay to attend, I might even make a trip to *Texas 😀
*I have kin in Telephone...
Cheers,
Douglas
Doug
Never show desperation, choose words as Kent suggested.
Your fee proposal could not have come at a better time as I both specialize in xxx type surveying and am coincidentally in the position to immediately attend to your surveying before commencing a larger project.
RADU
> Do you think that hurts my chances?
>
> Does any body have a good way of getting work they desperately need?
If the proposee is a professional client you have done business with before then I don't think there is any problem with sharing your reality with them.
If the proposee is a new client or a property owner who has never hired a surveyor before, and maybe never will again, then I think it's a bad idea.
Another day, another dollar.
Seems everyone is looking for a break. A break in the price and a break for some work. Adapt and survive. The question is how do you adapt.
> The question is how do you adapt.
Yes, that was my question, I just didn't ask it like that 😉
Thanks Ridge....
Probably depends on the client
> You should teach a seminar ...
Oh, these are just my personal rules based upon my own experiences and trying to estimate who is going to be a good client, who is most likely not now or ever going to be, and who might be worth the trouble to work on. Possibly home builders are different in other parts of the country (although I doubt it) and possibly mainly sociopaths aren't attracted to the highest levels of management elsewhere in the country (we may yet hope).
I try not to let on that a particular client is saving me from total disaster. I let them know that I appreciate their business, but business people being who they are, if you are drowning, they might not pull you all the way into the boat, they might just lift you up until your head is above water.
> I try not to let on that a particular client is saving me from total disaster. I let them know that I appreciate their business, but business people being who they are, if you are drowning, they might not pull you all the way into the boat, they might just lift you up until your head is above water.
Yes, I personally think that the best rule is to *never* let a client, any client, know that you *need* them to retain you. It's much safer to let them know that you're willing to schedule their project and give it your full attention before, as RADU suggested, the next large project kicks off.
