Masonry estimating services are an essential piece to putting together a comprehensive plan to accurately and efficiently perform a large masonry project where there are multiple levels of stakeholders and tradesmen involved. But it’s also important to recognize that when it comes to masonry processes for a small business, one size does not fit all. If your masonry business projects are on a smaller scale—such as patching up a chimney or installing new driveways, walkways, or fabulous patios—professional estimating services and high-end take-off software may not be worth the retainer and subscription fees.
For the “smaller” or slightly less complicated masonry projects, your masonry estimate needs are much simpler and do not necessarily require massive building plans that include masonry estimating services. For these types of estimates, there are less expensive ways to create a specialized, detailed estimate rather easily.
Setting the Foundations of Masonry Estimating for Small Projects
Here are some foundational elements to set up ahead of time so that your estimates are organized, comprehensive, and quick:
- Determine your profit margin so that you can ensure all pricing is set to hit your target. You can find more information in this blog: how to price your services. Due to changes in the market and cost of materials, you may want to revisit and update your profit margin from time to time.
- Within software tools like Project 2 Payment, you can create an item library that includes materials, labor, and anything else that you would charge a customer for during a project, like setup or travel fees. When setting up this library, make sure to adhere to the first item above and add your profit margin into the price of each item.
- Determine your payment terms and how you would like to communicate that with your customer. For example, will a down payment be required? When is payment expected for the project? These are important questions that your customer may have, and it’s good to set payment terms and expectations in your estimating process so that there are no surprises when the bill is due or the project is completed.
By determining and setting up these three items ahead of time, you can easily create an estimate by just adding the details specific to the project. Having this information organized and at your fingertips creates operational efficiency and increases your cash flow over time.
Components of Small Masonry Project Estimates
The main purpose of a masonry project estimate is to ensure that you and the customer are properly aligned with expectations for the project, and they’re often used to help sell customers on why they should use your business. An estimate should include the following:
- Your company name and contact information
- Customer name and location where the project will take place
- A line-itemized summary of materials, labor, and rental equipment—essentially, anything that is part of the cost of the project
- Estimated total that the project will cost to complete
- Timeline of when the project will start and end
- Payment terms
- Any notes to help clarify information
When using Project 2 Payment’s estimate creation workflow, each estimate is automatically created and formatted for you with the information you select. The estimate has your logo on it, the customer’s and project’s information, line-item details, and all of the settings you set prior (payment terms, etc.). You can even select if a down payment is required and send the link for payment.
Tips for Masonry Estimating Communication
Believe it or not, estimates can set the tone and expectation on how you communicate with your customers. As a business owner, you are juggling multiple tasks, which is where software like Project 2 Payment can help ensure all communication is accurate and timely.
Instantly send project estimates. We live in an era of instant gratification, which means customers don’t want to wait for the estimate. They would like to know now what the work entails and what it is going to cost. Project 2 Payment makes it easy to estimate right on site and send to the customer in a timely manner.
Follow-up on project estimates. If you send the estimate and you don’t hear anything back, make sure to reach out to the customer to see if they have any other questions. If they are waiting for more estimates from other masonry businesses, you could gently remind them that you were able to provide the estimate first because you would like to see the project through to completion—a nice way of saying that perhaps your competitors don’t really want the job if they didn’t provide an estimate already.
Communication before and after project completion. Keep the lines of communication wide open. Communicate before the project is scheduled to ensure that everyone has it on their calendars. After the project is completed, send the invoice immediately and make sure to include how appreciative you are that they chose your masonry business to complete the work.
Do You Need Masonry Estimating Services?
Masonry estimating services play a crucial role in the success of large-scale masonry projects, providing comprehensive plans and detailed cost analysis to ensure efficiency and accuracy. However, for small masonry businesses, these services may not always be necessary. By setting up foundational elements such as profit margins, item libraries, and clear payment terms, small masonry businesses can create accurate and professional estimates without the need for high-end software or professional services.
Effective communication throughout the estimating process, from sending timely estimates to following up and maintaining open lines of communication with customers, can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Utilizing tools like Project 2 Payment can streamline this process, ensuring that small masonry businesses remain competitive and responsive in today’s fast-paced market.
Ultimately, whether or not to invest in professional masonry estimating services depends on the scale and complexity of your projects. For large, multifaceted projects, these services are indispensable. For smaller and straightforward jobs, a well-organized and methodical approach (like Project 2 Payment) is all you need, allowing you to deliver high-quality results and maintain healthy cash flow. By evaluating your specific needs and resources, you can determine the best approach to masonry estimating for your business.
Ready to see if Project 2 Payment is the right masonry estimating software for your business?
