[Stonehenge]

I had heard of other members getting a letter like this...well yesterday I got one of my own.

The letter itself is addressed just like it shows in the title; nothing is written to let me know that I was specifically who they were thinking of. Well, at least the envelope was hand-written.

Each section of pavement they are requesting a bid for mentions that they are considering "normal concrete, color & textured concrete, and brick pavers." There are four such sections like this. Plus several lawn sections.

From what I understand, the home is new. However, the 2-car garage appears to be at least as large as the living area, making me think there is no way these people can afford the work they've sketched. A $100K scape doesn't usually accompany a $100K home.

Lastly, since they are considering all these different pavement options, you have to know that we are one of probably 20 or more contractors who received this letter and sketch.

I'm hanging onto it in case they call, just for kicks. But I'm pretty sure we won't be doing any work for these nice folks.

[agla]

Another case of a homeowner thinking that every contractor in the world is ready to do, as the car sales cliche says, "what is it going to take to get you in this fine landscape?".

When are they going to understand that "Landscaper's Challenge" is a TV show and that the pricing and eager contractors are hyped up to be on TV, not to "service" the client.

[jwholden]

There are two types of residential customers:

Those who get it and those who don't. I run like hell when I run into the latter category.

[Bill Schwab]

I will usually answer those letters with something like:

Dear soon to be client, for preparation of your new hardscape, you can figure X per square foot with a 1000 sf minimum. Anything areas less than that are subject to appropriate increases.

I just got a job tonight where the entire back yard is getting retaining walls and pavers. Since the access was 29" wide, I really did not really want the job, so, I took the bid and calcs from my estimate, and mutliplied the total by 2.

By not investing a whole lot of time in a simple reply, you have little to loose and quite a bit to gain, assuming they have the budget to do the work.

[site]

[Atta boy Bill. That's something you can do when you are in demand. Good work.

[Dale Wiley]

I quoted a job where we had 5 sidewalk crossings and 1 20 foot driveway cross.

I wanted a new borit machine so I slapped an additional $ 1500 on this $5K job .

Picked up the deposit this afternoon.

We have another one that has VERY difficult access. Quote was $ 16K, but I felt hinky about the access thing, so I slapped another $ 7K on it. Picked up that deposit today as well.

[Bill Schwab]

Yaaaahoooo!

Good work Dale! And thanks Site. I am in desperate need of a tiler. We have 3 swimming pools waiting tile and coping and my one two man crew can't keep up....Sooooo, the new tile and coping price will go from $35.00 per running foot, to $45.00. That pays for the new tile saw.

[NC Lawnscapes]

Maybe I need to learn this mysterios world of Hardscaping and give up the Maintence world

[Nebraska]

NC...

Did you ever see the Daily Show about G.W. where the reference is to the size of his "kahoona's" in relation to the UN and "their" demands? Well...multiply the CAT scans x 10 and there's Bill and Dale!

IMO the majority of us could learn a lot from Bill's & Dale's attitudes, which I sense have been developed over years of experience, that involved a lot of wasted time. Add that to the fact that they are not hesitant to share this knowledge.

For instance on Tuesday night I added another appointment (at 7p) for flagstone walkways at the last minute with very little qualification on my part to later find out that the couple is not satisfied with the retaining wall just built by another contractor and is questioning the pricing just presented for the walkways because they feel it's too expensive after they went to a local supplier and priced out the materials used in the wall and proposed for the walkway. It took me a half an hour in person to figure this out and all the while I could have been home with the family enjoying MY TIME! As such I roll in at 8:15 and microwave my dinner.... Some of us still learn the hard way.

[Dale Wiley]

As such I roll in at 8:15 and microwave my dinner.... Some of us still learn the hard way.

Go ahead and give yourself another 4 credit hours towards your PhD in the School of Hard Knocks.

It is an attitude that developes over time , and headaches and sore buttocks. I am in business to make money, and I will make money. I will pay and treat my employees well, I will give my clients fair and unsurpassed quality and service, and they will feel confident in hiring our company now and in the future. You do not get that way by being low price and providing lousy service, or being shy about increasing your profit when you can.