Creating electrical estimates probably seems straightforward enough. You know your trade, the amount of time and materials it takes to complete your customer’s electrical project, and what it will cost. Enough said, right? Not quite. Think of estimates as your second chance to make a first impression. So, even if your first meeting with the customer went well, this is your chance to close the deal.
Here are some essential tips to make sure your electrical estimate has your and your customer’s best interests in mind.
Tip #1: Have a Detailed Project Discussion With Your Customer
Winning a bid starts well before you start creating the final estimate in your estimate software. Discussing an electrical project with the customer is obvious, but the key is to discuss it in detail. The goal is to understand what the customer’s expectations are for their electrical work. It’s best to repeat back to the customer what you understand their electrical needs are to ensure you’re both on the same page. Then, speak about the electrical work it will take to meet or exceed their expectations and the estimated price that goes along with it. This is the critical foundation to providing an accurate electrical estimate, so make sure to allow enough time to go into deep detail about circuits, outlets, fixtures, and any code compliance requirements.
Tip #2: List Individual Line Items With Clear Pricing
The first conversation with your customer is where trust starts to take root. A transparent electrical estimate with a clear pricing structure will help that trust grow even deeper. You may feel that price is the only thing you can compete on, but the truth is, a person is often willing to spend a little bit more to ensure electrical work is done safely and correctly if they feel confident in your expertise and trust your business. A detailed electrical estimate with each line item listed—materials, labor, permits, and any specialty work—and a clear price associated with it reassures the customer that they are getting what they need. Plus, it gives both of you an easy launching point to discuss any necessary increases or decreases to the scope of the electrical project.
Tip #3: Create a Timeline for Work to Be Done
Timelines are tricky for electrical work. There are many things that are out of your control, such as permit approval times, material supply, inspections, other trades you depend on to complete the work, and the like. But your customer is expecting a timeline when you provide them a detailed electrical estimate. They need to plan their life around the electrical project, especially if it involves power outages or areas of their home being temporarily inaccessible, so they need to understand what the timeline is. Even an estimated timeline is better than no timeline. If you are providing an estimated timeline, make sure that you emphasize “estimated timeline” and let the customer know there are factors outside of your control—like inspection schedules and permit processing—that could shift the original timeline. If anything changes in the timeline, communication with your customer is key to keep their trust.
Tip #4: Set Payment Expectations: When and How
Although the bulk of payment typically comes toward the end of the electrical project, it’s always a big question on your customer’s mind. To help ensure you get paid on time, be sure to cover how and when you expect payment in your electrical estimate. The best way to ensure on-time payment is to make it as easy as possible for your customer to pay by taking online payments and credit card payments. Your payment policy or any payment expectations need to be included on the electrical estimate to ensure there are no open-ended questions or uncertainty regarding payment. On the off chance you need to take a customer to claims court because they didn’t pay, clearly outlined payment expectations included on the electrical estimate will help your case.
Tip #5: Make Your Estimate Look Professional
Your estimate might not be the only one a client is receiving. One of the easiest ways to make sure you stand apart is with a professionally branded electrical estimate. Let’s say a potential client receives one estimate scribbled on paper and one sent electronically with professional branding, contact information, and a transparent item and price list. Which one do you think communicates, “We’ve done this before and have processes in place to make sure the work gets done in a timely and efficient manner”? Using an easy-to-use CRM like Project 2 Payment makes converting your paper bids into professional estimates a breeze.
Tip #6: Include Contact Information and Licensing Details
In addition to professional branding, there should be a very clear way to contact your electrical business to get started on a project. Electrical estimates should include your business’s name, address, phone number, and electrical license number. To go above and beyond, list the main electrician for the project with their phone number and email address. Make sure that it is very easy for your customers to contact your electrical business, or you risk losing the job to someone they perceive as more available. Clearly listing your electrical business’s contact details and licensing information on estimates and invoices also makes it easier for customers to re-find and contact your business for future electrical projects or to refer your business to a friend looking for a trusted electrician.
Tip #7: Make Approving Your Estimates Easy for Your Customer
Including your contact info makes it easy for interested customers to reach out and get started. If you need customer approval before scheduling, use software with built-in estimate approval. Customers can approve with one click, and you get instant notification when they’re ready. The easier you make it, the fewer deals you’ll lose to forgotten callbacks.
Preparing an electrical estimate is like preparing a guide for your customer. This is your opportunity to build deeper trust and make a great first impression on your customer. Your electrical estimate should include all the details of the electrical project so that there are no questions about what electrical work will be performed, what the cost will be, and when the project will be completed. Electrical estimates should include an itemized list of electrical materials, labor, permits, and services along with pricing and who to contact with questions.
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