We understand that in a customer. They need to know if they have to show up Saturday with 400 or 600. Can they blow $50+ on pizza and beer with the boys Friday night, or not?

But it also points out perhaps the hardest part of your job as a small entrepreneur. Tell them a probable min-max guesstimate, AND that only bigger more costly outfits can afford to ADD the cost of such expensive software to THEIR Bill. And that THOSE guys NEVER reduce their bill if things go more smoothly than expected. They pay a lower bill with you because if a lower overhead, and that estimation software is a part of it. But for a non-refundable 19-30 deposit, (job dependant,) you will research and cost out all the major components and guess-timate the "miscellaneous nuts and bolts" of it and total that up, and you'll be honest with both your labor guess and the actual labor too.

(In construction, a 10% cost overrun is acceptable and billable by law, except under a contract-to-spec.) I've asked my young mech to get back to me on the phone software he uses. The older mech would say, Oh, 2.or 300, we'll have to see - unless something else additional shows up. I don't expect that / I see it sometimes with these; it could add a hundred or so. Both these guys are known for their total honesty. I suspect you are as well. A customers WISH is for an accurate estimate. SOMEtimes, that IS possible - and other times it is just NOT.

I can build you a shed for about a grand. OR, I can write up a bill of materials, draft it, cost it out, maybe for 1400. Pick one and I'll get started. These examples show them the issue. Paperwork COSTS EXTRA. (See also: Government)

 

Sorry... I got a little amped up there. I really do appreciate the responses. I was rather pissed off at a situation at work when I posted that, I apologize fellers. Shouldn't have posted when I did.

Thanks COS, I understand where you're coming from.

Bill, good point... I do have a question though, what's a 19-30 deposit? Never heard that term before.

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To explain why I was/am pissed off, I am a systems admin for a job. I got told that they want me to (in addition to what I already do) set up machines so other people can run them. The only thing that made me feel good at all was being told that I am the best operator they've ever had, and they are trying to get people to learn from me. Other than that, it's rather frustrating. I'm sure DJ can relate.

 

All good. I had a day like this yesterday.

 

I hate having to stop because it's raining. I got the upper intake off. I snapped an extension while I was working on it, so went to HF to warranty it, and the rain rolled in whilst I was gone.

Got some cleaning to do for sure!

 

Ohhhh.... I found this on the side of the radiator. Was JC the OEM supplier for rad's for Ford?

 

Son of a..... I thought we were done with this trash. Usually mountain snow means I'm getting some.

 

Damn....
I'm thinking of planting early this year.
The lowest temp. in the 10-day is 46°
I'm definitely done with winter.... hopefully

 

19-30??? Typo. I meant, $10 - $30, non-refundable estimate, but which is taken off his bill if he has the job done.

Here's Andy's software; Shop Manager by Identifix. 250 monthly.

Andy has 2 assistants that he's training. His place holds 4 cars typically, although 5-6 fit. So he puts out 24 man hours a day at ~$150/hr. (His crew probably pulls half that in, but not as a wage.) Just eye-balling the operation, most cars spend 4 hrs there There are ~25 days x 8/4, or 50 customers who would share that $250 cost per month. But for one part time guy, $250 would be laid on every other customer, maybe.

Estimates are overhead. Ask the customer if he wants that added in? Or if they will understand some inexactness going in.

 

Or looked at way simpler, you lose 2 hrs of wrenching wages per month to software, or 80$ a weekend, leaving one weekend for the family. Others might ask you to do estimates, just charge them, 20-30 per, or as a percentage of the job. 1000$ job, $100 for the estimate... Maybe printed out, (on your letterhead, tee-hee.)

 

Are steering wheel mounted radio controls sissy?
I know that some in here have added them to their trucks.