recently got 2 leads.
one … structural repair, I was recommended by the PE that did the analysis.
high income neighborhood, job cost around 5% of the current value of the home.
second … front porch demo / rebuild , referred by a deck company that doesn’t do
porches. Mid to low income neighborhood , job cost around 25% of current value of
house.
both bid very similar … not in price … in “value”.
bid both tight, but not too desperate … but tight.
one price shopped … one jumped at the price.
I’da bet the beam job was almost a given.
they “liked” me … but another company was “way more reasonable”.
porch job … guy said he did some basic checking … found my numbers “very reasonable”. Struck me as funny both used the term “reasonable” too.
just found that interresting … would have lost that bet.
never can tell.
beam job needs to be done asap.
porch is old … but not gonna fall over tomorrow.
only signal I caught right away was the beam job lady saying she was suprised at the cost of the PE. I know he’s one of the better priced guys in the area … pretty sure that ended up costing them under $400 … cheap in my eyes.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Replies
I find that the ones I'm sure of, don't buy and the ones I doubt, end up buying.
It's weird that way.
Hey! congrats: you're batting .500.
Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Edited 4/15/2008 11:18 pm by Jim_Allen
if this were pro ball I'd be a millionaire!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
i find the same...... finally got to the point where i could keep my mouth shut and let them close the sale
stopped trying to guess which ones i'd get and which ones i'd lose
usually price had very little to do with itMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
You think the fact the beam was a lady and the porch was a guy had anything to do with it?
Ask yerself: to whom do ya make more sales? Guys or Dolls?
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
no.
beam lady's husband made the final decision.
at least on the phone when I told her keep me in mind for that kitchn project, and if anything falls thru with the selected beam contractor don't be shy about calling she said they were already planning on keeping my card ...
and said while the "other company" was "alot more reasonable ... she still wasn't sure ..."
so ... thinking it came down to money.
she stressed "alot more reasonable" ...
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I'm thinking you'll be getting a call to fix/complete "a lot more reasonable"
I see you are still doing all that extra line space stuff
Is that because it's become your style?
Just Jeff doing his Jeff thing?
Kind of like a stream of consciousness thing
Just keep tapping that 'enter' button until another thought occurs
Good job I've got a scroll wheel on my mouse
What was the original post about?
I've forgotten
All the best, John
think of it like paragraph breaks.
I just write in really short paragraphs.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
"think of it like paragraph breaks.
I just write in really short paragraphs."
He just needs to get with your program. <G>
Ive been trying to sell a new house and aint sittin the world on fire .
Theres a lady that gave me the best offer Ive had and I turned it down kinda. I asked for a grand down payment and she didnt have it I guess. She was gonna get a 100 percent loan. Anyway the house hasnt sold but guess what ? I was there mowing Sunday and two chicks pull up and ask to see the house . Its the same chick and her realator dressed in blue jeans . Both of um. Threw me off fer a minute.
My question in my mind is that she had her chance and didnt buy it . Why is she still lookin? My realtor got on that question and found out she hasnt found anything comparig it to my house . Well theres not anymore new houses in town. She knows that too. Building has completley shut down. She wanted a new house but shes not gonna find another one. I dont get it but hey , its a woman.
Tim
Tell her to call me. I'll get her one built by next week. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I wonder why she didnt think of that .
Seriously, those caliber of people never think about it . Im talking the 100 percent loan to value folks. They will pay any amount they can borrow .
Tim
Edited 4/17/2008 9:26 am by Mooney
"They will pay any amount they can borrow ."And that's the limit that I'll sell to them LOL! Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Jeff ?
in all seriousness
I have always found that middle to lower income range to be excellent business
not crack ghetto you understand--but the kind of neighborhood people actually WORK for a living at something besides surfing Ebay in their cubicle????
they appreciate hard work-because they do it themselves.
we probably couldn't sell them expensive kitchens
but solid ,no-nonsense necessities( like a roof!)--just excellent customers, excellent referalls-excellent neighbors-- without getting mushy????-the kind of people you are genuinely proud to take care of.
machinists, firemen,cops,nurses, teachers------just damn fine people.
stephen
Hells yeah! I couldn't agree more.
Although I'll add the caveat that there are some engineers and scientists who do some pretty decent stuff, like my buddy (an engineer) who designs underwater robots. Way over my head. So I'm not quick to write off all white collar clients as spoiled. . .
But yeah, I know exactly what you mean. ;-)
what about looking at BT in the cubicle? does that count? :)
I just put an estimate together for a lady that wanted basement work done. I had a feeling while talking to her, she just didnt seem quite focused. I think she liked me and my ideas but I came in highest.
I dont expect i'll hear from her but stranger things have happened.
I had one lady call me a year ago for a kitchen job. I gave her a price, she seemed like it and then.....nothing.
Three months go by and she calls again. Tells me shes still working on it. I havent heard from her since.
Strange.