Replies

1. 
   Tn...Andy | Jan 24, 2002 04:38am | #1

   *
   I had a lady call one night and in the course of the consversation about siding her old dog of a house, she stated she had already gotten ----> 15 <---- bids !! i paused for a minute, and then asked her "exactly what the h*!! are you looking , one that is 50 cents cheaper than everybody else ?" people are a hoot !

1. 
   Tommy_B. | Jan 24, 2002 05:56am | #2

   *I guess if I don't know the people, I try to get a feel for the project to see if its something I'm interested in and try and evaluate the likelihood that the job will develop into work. I like to ask three questions on initial consultations when I am meeting in person, project time frame, budget and who else is bidding the work. I might ask some or all of these questions during a phone consultation.If there is a strong referral and I have any good feelings about the people and the project, there is a good chance that I will be willing to invest an hour to meet them in person and look at the project a little closer. Of course it all depends on how much time I have to spare. I really enjoy meeting people, and looking at their specific project. I enjoy the challenge of getting an hour to look at a project that they may have spent years planning, and talked to other contractors and/or architects about and being able to understand what is taking place. It is a good chance to show your expertise and sell your company's way of doing things. I also enjoy putting together a bomb proof bid and contract package.It's like many others have said on this board, you'll have to develop your own answers to your question.I'm not sure you want to prequalify anyone if it is a sale you are looking for. I might be looking for a condition that exists which would prevent them from having me do the work. But that will take some observation and investigation. Examples would include, the budget is too small, their brother will be doing the work and my bid is to keep him honest, their planning to build in the near future and the investment can't possibly be recouped, to name a few.I used to use that term in the past, but I have landed some very profitable, rewarding jobs, where I might have wrongfully "pre-qualified" the homeowner. That's why I try to get a feel for the budget and some intelligence as to where the money is coming from, which can be accomplished with a sincere approach that works best face to face.

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   Peter_Koski | Jan 24, 2002 03:47pm | #3

   *Try this, it is in MS Word

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   Mark_Bentley | Jan 25, 2002 09:33am | #4

   *I talked to a new lead the other night and she told me her family was in construction but that she wanted to hire a GC so that she could "sue". She had to repeat it three times before I could think of something to say. Sometimes they qualify themselves.

1. 
   John_P-HCG | Jan 29, 2002 03:36am | #5

   *Peter:The phone has been ringing much more frequently lately and I 've bveen trying to modify my qualification questioning without coming off as aloof.What responses do you get from the last 4 questions of your lead qualifier? I like the whole form, but am concerned that the last 4 questions may put them on defensive?Thanks for the form.JOhn

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   Peter_Koski | Jan 29, 2002 04:14am | #6

   *Actually I am just trying out those four questions and they are meant to bracket what price you CAN price your job at. Questions 1 and 4 are throw away questions. The price the customer will buy from are based on questions 2&3. If your price is somewhere between those two figures, you stand an awfully good chance of signing the project, if everything else lines up.Try it and let me know what you think?Like every thing else it requires practice and really falling on your face a couple of times before you get it so that it fits you but it seems like it would be a dynomite tool.