Individual job conditions

[Stormin Mormon]

Got a call, yesterday. Company wants me to estimate for changing filters on HVAC units at stores. They want a list of prices, based on the tonnage of the unit.

I went to the one store they needed estimate. Found several specific conditions and factors that would change the ammount of labor and bother needed.

The furnace was 12 feet above the floor. In a cage, with one door. By the bottom of the doorway was a gas pipe and a PVC drain, making it unsafe to put an extension ladder. Also, the warehouse is tightly packed, making it dificult to get an extension ladder to where it's needed.

And, they want me to quote all "# of tons" units the same.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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[Steve]

They already *KNOW* about all the problems and conditions... its why the last guy quit, and they are looking for another sucker

[Stormin Mormon]

Cynical, but profound.

BTW, they emailed this AM. "Please hold off from going to any more stores at this time. We just found out they are putting a hold on the PM'S for now due to they our changing a few things they want done and they will be getting back to us.

Sucker D'uh Young Learn more about Jesus

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They already *KNOW* about all the problems and conditions... its why the last guy quit, and they are looking for another sucker

[PaxPerPoten]

Apparently they are looking in the right place. ;-p

[PaxPerPoten]

They just want you to beg a little bit for the oncoming screwing. ;-p

[grumpy]

Number "One" They would need to pay me for quote before any estimate is done or quote giving if they objecting to that tell them to get some other sucker.

[Stormin Mormon]

I wonder. Maybe ask for a few dollars "gas money" when providing estimates?

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

[Grumpy]

Remember your wan is not running on farts from Mexican chilly or is it?

[PaxPerPoten]

More then that! After all, Body shops charge for estimates. Its a good way to find out how quickly they will make payments if at all. Tell them that you will deduct the estimate costs from whatever actual profitable contract work they give you. It does sound like they are niggling and chipping cheap.

[Steve]

There is a lot more than *just gas that has to be paid for... here is the short list;

401K

Health Insurance

Holiday Pay

Office Benefits

Sick Pay

Uniforms

Vacation Pay

Air Conditioning Equipment Maintenance

Building Repairs

Cleaning Service

Electric Utilities

Facility Mortgage Payments

Furniture

Gas/Oil Bill

Landscaping

Parts Storage Racks

Security System

Shop Tools

Callbacks

Miscellaneous Hardware

Air Conditioning License

Bad Debt

Business Licenses

Cash Reserves

Certification Tests

Chamber of Commerce Dues

Collections

Dealer Meetings

Interest Expense

Internet Access

Inventory

Inventory Control Costs

Inventory Financing Costs

Inventory Shrinkage

Invoices

Legal Services

Liability Insurance

Management Training

Mobile Phone Charges

Mobile Phones

Office Training

Other Associations

Overnight Mail

Property Insurance

Recycling

Subscriptions

Tax preparation

Technician Training

Trade Association Membership

Trade Show Attendance

Brochures

Charitable Contributions

Dealer Group Advertising

Door Hangers

Home And Garden Shows

Magnets

Postcards

Newspaper Advertising

Other Advertising

Outdoor Advertising

Patches

Radio Advertising

Sales Commissions

Service Club Dues

Warranties

Website

Yellow Pages

Yellow Book

Youth Sports Team Sponsorships

Accounting

Calculators And Adding Machines

Computer System Maintenance

Computers

Copier

Copies

Fax Machine

Files And File Cabinets

Network

Office Supplies

Phone Bill

Phone System

Postage

Postal Equipment

Printing

Software

Stamps And Pads

Telephone Bill

Telephone Equipment

Training Equipment

Trash And Disposal

Water Bill

Technician Pay

Federal Taxes

Local School Taxes

Local Taxes

Municipal Property Tax

Other property Taxes

Sales Tax

Social Security Taxes

State Taxes

Unemployment Insurance

Worker's Comp

Gasoline

Ladders

Radios

Tires

Tools

Truck Decals

Truck Depreciation

Truck Insurance

Truck Inventory

Truck Maintenance

Truck Shelves

Trucks

Profit

[Stormin Mormon]

For sure, and my wan needs to be repaired, now and again.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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[ilbebauck]

Just give them one lump sum price for everything otherwise theyll try and get you to just do a few of them that are virtually unreachable and theyll do the rest. Tell them its the only way you quote it. Walk from it if they give you a hard time. Some jobs are not worth it and especially if your safety is exasterbated from dangerous working conditions.

[Stormin Mormon]

I had to look up

I don't think my Bishop would approve of that. Unsafe, you know?

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

Walk from it if they give you a hard time. Some jobs are not worth it and especially if your safety is exasterbated from dangerous working conditions.

[Stormin Mormon]

My position with the company, each job has to be quoted, on its own merits. And, you are so right about safety. What good is a filter job, if I fall off a ladder, and end up in the hospital?

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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Just give them one lump sum price for everything otherwise theyll try and get you to just do a few of them that are virtually unreachable and theyll do the rest. Tell them its the only way you quote it. Walk from it if they give you a hard time. Some jobs are not worth it and especially if your safety is exasterbated from dangerous working conditions.

[NotMe]

Quote a base plus a variable factor (in your favor) for the unknowns and see what happens.

[NotMe]

Time is money and unless this is a prime deal (does not sound like it is) you get paid to show up and advise.

[Stormin Mormon]

Thank you for your very polite reply.

This post was from several weeks ago. I went to the store, took a bunch of pictures. Send them in. The company finally decided to drop the account.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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Quote a base plus a variable factor (in your favor) for the unknowns and see what happens.

[Stormin Mormon]

Timeless, and excellent advice.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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Time is money and unless this is a prime deal (does not sound like it is) you get paid to show up and advise.