Jody Shilan, Editor

When I was working for a large design/build contractor I would often go on appointments that were not large enough to require a landscape plan but would be a good one or two day project.

Like many of you, I would tell the client that it was a pretty straight forward project and I would get back to them in a few days (3 days max)with a price. Before you know it 3 days have passed, you've done nothing and the project is slowly falling into the "estimate abyss". The bigger problem is that I've done the same thing 10 times this week. Doing the "meet and greet" with potential customers -- but somehow never finding the time to get back to them.

Does this happen to you?

You know the drill. You meet the client, walk around their home and take notes, do all the niceties, leave your card with the promise of a sketch, an estimate and even a second appointment. Before you know it, more interesting projects appearor managing installations takes a priority or other business issues develop. Whatever the reasons, that few days turns into a week, which turns into 2 weeks, which turns into "never". Now, the potential client is frustrated and calling your office wondering where their "free estimate" is. You're getting uptight because you know you have fallen behind and now this is just more pressure. Besides this, your employer is starting to get on your case for not getting back to the client.

You can't believe this is all happening again and you just can't figure out how to make it all stop. It should be so easy. Meet with a client, go back to the office, "whip out" an estimate and get right back to them in a few days.

Somehow it just never goes that way. But why?

Well that's what we're going to discuss right now, and more importantly, how you can prevent it from happening ever again. Not only are we going to relieve your stress, but we'll make sure that you, your clients and your boss will be much happier. And, as an added bonus you are also going to sell more work in less time.

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