First-time house renovation

Canucklehead

Hi...thanks TM and HH for your responses. We've been using email with a Word attachment on letterhead detailing the quotes i.e. specifications, terms, conditions and price as well as communicating follow-up info by email and phone rather than relying on snail mail. I always request a 'Read Receipt'/'Return Receipt' for any email communications; the intention was to ensure the potential client had received the detailed quote/communication which could be printed out and retained by both parties as a permanent record rather than following up with a phone call (a call that some folks consider 'intrusive' or 'badgering') but unfortunately some don't bother clicking the box 'yes' on the request hence requiring the phone call and so it goes...can't win for losing:o

Just curious as to what folks on this thread would think about receiving quotes etc (for plumbing and heating works) in this manner: we're just trying to get the quotes to the customer as soon as possible, a contentious issue documented by many MSErs.

Thanks in advance.

Canucklehead

TomsMom

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi...thanks TM and HH for your responses. We've been using email with a Word attachment on letterhead detailing the quotes i.e. specifications, terms, conditions and price as well as communicating follow-up info by email and phone rather than relying on snail mail. I always request a 'Read Receipt'/'Return Receipt' for any email communications; the intention was to ensure the potential client had received the detailed quote/communication which could be printed out and retained by both parties as a permanent record rather than following up with a phone call (a call that some folks consider 'intrusive' or 'badgering') but unfortunately some don't bother clicking the box 'yes' on the request hence requiring the phone call and so it goes...can't win for losing:o

Just curious as to what folks on this thread would think about receiving quotes etc (for plumbing and heating works) in this manner: we're just trying to get the quotes to the customer as soon as possible, a contentious issue documented by many MSErs.

Thanks in advance.

Canucklehead

Hi Canucklehead

I find it rather curious about the read receipts. I've got this set as default on my OE yet very few people actually send the receipt, friends or otherwise. Silly really, as you have to click YES or NO so I can't understand why people don't click YES. I always do if I get the message. I wouldn't mind a phone call either, if I didn't want to give the work to that particular tradesman I'd just say "Thanks for taking the time and trouble but I'm not going ahead" or whatever. At least it would let me know they're interested.

Shimmyhill

Remember a read receipt does not mean you have read the email, all it means is that you have clicked yes !

Canucklehead

TomsMom wrote: »

Hi Canucklehead

I find it rather curious about the read receipts. I've got this set as default on my OE yet very few people actually send the receipt, friends or otherwise. Silly really, as you have to click YES or NO so I can't understand why people don't click YES. I always do if I get the message. I wouldn't mind a phone call either, if I didn't want to give the work to that particular tradesman I'd just say "Thanks for taking the time and trouble but I'm not going ahead" or whatever. At least it would let me know they're interested.

Thanks again... I.have it set as default also....odd isn't it We're the same as you...always appreciate knowing the outcome one way or another but I guess common courtesy sometimes goes out the window...oops, I'm showing my age/culture now! One would think that the fact that the OH has spent several hours of his time travelling to the quote, conducting a site survey and then preparing/submitting a full specification quotation would indicate his interest in the job...in fact he'll turn down the opportunity to quote if he isn't interested that way no-one's time has been wasted...go figure;) Now we assume if someone can't be bothered to click 'Yes' , then they aren't interested in proceeding, in other words, message received at our end: I must admit this seldom happens with potential clients who have found the OH through personal recommendation....95% of the time we'll get a phone call shortly after receipt of the quote (and most of the time get the job as well:D).

Live and learn.

Canucklehead

Canucklehead

Shimmyhill wrote: »

Remember a read receipt does not mean you have read the email, all it means is that you have clicked yes !

Hi...it does mean the potential client has received the quote; whether they read it or not is up to them. We just don't want to be lumped in with the trades criticized on this forum for not getting back with quotes in a timely fashion.;)

Canucklehead

Shimmyhill

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi...it does mean the potential client has received the quote; whether they read it or not is up to them. We just don't want to be lumped in with the trades criticized on this forum for not getting back with quotes in a timely fashion.;)

Canucklehead

My point was more that lots of people dont like to say yes until they have read the email - of course by this time there is no way to say yes !

TomsMom

Shimmyhill wrote: »

Remember a read receipt does not mean you have read the email, all it means is that you have clicked yes !

Oh yes, I realise that Shimmy. But it is proof that the e-mail has been received, say if you were in dispute with somebody over something and they denied having received an e-mail off you, if you had received the read receipt and kept it then you'd have the proof. Extreme circumstances I know, obviously thinking of business here.

helping_hubby

The whole quote thing is such a nightmare on both sides I think. I can totally understand how trades people need to factor in the time and money for travelling to places where they might never get the job, and on the other hand the pure frustration us customers have with the ones that never get back.

My personal experience has been that 75% of the trades people don't even return phone calls, even when I've been genuinely interested. I've ended up going with the ones I have mainly because they've actually got back to me and communicated with me.

I think email is a great way, and it saved a LOT of time when negotiating the job with my electrician. But he did send the final quote with confirmation of the dates by post, which I felt more comfortable with. Don't know why, just do. He also sent me an email the week before reminding me (as did the plumber) that he was coming which was useful and put my mind at rest that they hadn't forgotten.

So, Canucklehead, from my point of view I'd be happy with pure email quotes and communication, but once the job is agreed a letter in the post.

Hope that helps

By the way do you have a website? I always look for websites for all trades people and most don't have one.

Wickedkitten

helping_hubby wrote: »

The whole quote thing is such a nightmare on both sides I think. I can totally understand how trades people need to factor in the time and money for travelling to places where they might never get the job, and on the other hand the pure frustration us customers have with the ones that never get back.

My personal experience has been that 75% of the trades people don't even return phone calls, even when I've been genuinely interested. I've ended up going with the ones I have mainly because they've actually got back to me and communicated with me.

I think email is a great way, and it saved a LOT of time when negotiating the job with my electrician. But he did send the final quote with confirmation of the dates by post, which I felt more comfortable with. Don't know why, just do. He also sent me an email the week before reminding me (as did the plumber) that he was coming which was useful and put my mind at rest that they hadn't forgotten.

So, Canucklehead, from my point of view I'd be happy with pure email quotes and communication, but once the job is agreed a letter in the post.

Hope that helps

By the way do you have a website? I always look for websites for all trades people and most don't have one.

Same here, I don't mind email at all. I also agree about the websites as well, especially if they have good pictures of work that they have done on it.

Canucklehead

Wickedkitten wrote: »

Same here, I don't mind email at all. I also agree about the websites as well, especially if they have good pictures of work that they have done on it.

Hi... the major advantage with many personal recommendations is that the potential client has actually seen the work. Be aware, some trade websites use stock photos from manufacturers' catalogues in the case of bathroom installations and photos of boilers aren't terribly sexy but different strokes and all that. The OH has seldom taken photos of his work: one exception was the leadwork he did on Hampton Court Palace in Surrey years ago . I think some of his past clients would have found it invasive just to be asked for permission to have had photos taken of their loos and other 'inner sanctums' and for display on the internet, oh my:eek:

Canucklehead