Estimates and Proposals


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"Just give me a ball park figure, I won't hold you to it" - Every Client

Estimating is something we all struggle with no matter how long we have been in business. It is time consuming, dreaded by almost everyone and is probably the least enjoyable task we perform. With that said, a properly written and calculated estimate is the difference between making money and losing money.

As a member of FromDesign2Build.com, you will learn:

That estimates and proposals are not the same thing

The essential legalese that will protect you and your business

How three little words can cut your estimating time in half

How a proposal template can literally save your business

How to write accurate yet "flexible" proposals that protect you

How to stop giving your clients a shopping list for your competitors

About "Site Visit Proposals" -- write it, sign it, sell it.

Proposal writing is as much an art as it is a science. A well written proposal can "seal the deal", while a poorly written one can "kill the sale". Learn how to create your own standardized proposals, with approved boiler plate text and out clauses, that will speed up your turn around time, increase your accuracy and quite possibly make this something you look forward to doing (ok that last part is a stretch).

"Give Me a Few Days and I'll Get You a Proposal" - Yeah, Right!
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 . . . keep reading

Bid is a Four Letter Word
Jody Shilan, Editor

Throughout my career I have never been one to participate in the bidding process. I know that for many landscape contractors "bidding" is a very successful business model, but clearly less so these days . . . keep reading

Job Costing Basics -- Inaccurate Job Costing Can Be Costing You Plenty
Marcus VandeVliet, Contributor

We're all acutely aware of the labor shortage facing our industry and also the limitations being placed on the H-2B seasonal guest worker program. This is a real problem for the Green Industry, but one that can be minimized if we approach it from different directions . . . keep reading

"We Don't Know How Much We Want to Spend" - How to Get a Budget Number From Your Client
Jody Shilan, Editor

A common problem for landscape contractors is trying to find out what a client is budgeting for a particular project. Clients are always hesitant to throw out a number, and contractors know that without a budget they are going to be flying blind . . . keep reading

The Write Stuff - How to Speed Up Your Proposal Writing
Jody Shilan, Editor

I think you'll all agree that writing a proposal is probably one of the least enjoyable tasks in our business. Truth be told, most of us hate it. The real irony here is that we consider writing proposals hard work yet look at running equipment and building things all day as enjoyable. . . . keep reading

It's All in the Details: The Benefits of Standardizing Construction Details, Materials, and Techniques
Jody Shilan, Editor

If you put all of your construction foreman and laborers together in one room and asked them to describe how they build a paver walkway or patio, how many different answers would you get? . . . keep reading

More Than Just A Pretty Picture
Jody Shilan, Editor

If you are like many design/build contractors, you may think of a landscape plan as an unnecessary expense that is often required just to get the sale - and that's all. Well, nothing could be farther from the truth. Its real value is typically misunderstood and completely overlooked. . . . keep reading

Download: Design Proposal
Jody Shilan, Editor

When I first started providing design services, I spent a lot of time meeting with homeowners and landscape contractors just to try to sell design services. This was very time consuming and not very productive . . . keep reading