Measure Before You Quote

Who this book is for

Chủ thầu nội thất, thợ mộc, đội cải tạo nhà, và người làm dịch vụ tại nhà ở Việt Nam; quy mô từ một mình cầm đồ nghề tới đội mười lăm thợ và một xưởng nhỏ.

Sound familiar?

• Quotes from eyeballed estimates, and the extras surface after the contract is signed.
• The site visit is all conversation: no photos, no measurements, so the quote is built from memory.
• Never asks what's behind the plaster, and finds out when it's opened up.
• Quotes distant jobs without counting the crew's travel time.

Each chapter answers one question

1. Chapter 1: After the site visit: data, or just a feeling?

   After a site visit, what do I take back with me?

   A good survey ends with a set of data, not with a feeling about the job.

2. Chapter 2: Which skipped question becomes week three's surprise bill?

   Which five questions must I ask the client before quoting?

   A question skipped at the survey comes back as extra work in week three.

3. Chapter 3: If the quote stays vague, is everything included?

   Does my quote clearly state what is NOT included?

   When scope is not written down, everything the client imagines is included in the price.

4. Chapter 4: The low price won, so where did my profit go?

   What does this job cost me before profit?

   Cost includes labour hours, materials, travel and contingency; forget one and you forget your profit.

5. Chapter 5: Winning most quotes: good sign, or underpricing?

   Out of ten quotes sent, how many become contracts?

   The quote win rate is the number that says most about whether you are taking the right kind of work.