qualifying a customer.

[grumpydasmurf]

Let's say a customer sends you an e-mail or calls you requesting an estimate for a new roof, or siding, or any decent remodeling job... What questions would you use to qualify that lead as apotential customer? Do you qualify your leads at all or do you simply estimate everything that comes in?

Some possible qualification questions:
How soon do you need the estimate and how soon do you think you will be ready to make a decision?
How soon are you hoping for work to begin?
How many contractors have you spoken with, or plan to speak, about this project?


What other questions would be good to ask?

[mreynolds]

Man did you hit a nerve there. This is from the customer end last spring. I was getting bids to rough grade my property and install a driveway. I have my 3 top excavators lined up, know exactly what I want. I check insurance and the like and everyone is OK. Well this one guy managed to nix himself in a hurry. We were talking while he was looking over the site and I asked when he thought he would be able to get to the job, I felt this was a reasonable question. Then he goes off about how he can't tell me this because I am hypothetically asking him to do the job, blah, blah, blah. :evil: I told him that I am not asking him to commit to a date, I just needed a ball park idea to have some idea so I can plan when to deliever materials etc. Not to mention why in the world would I hire him if I didn't feel he could get the job done in a reasonable time frame. Needless to say I hired the other guy and he did a great job.

[Rich]

This may be a little odd - but I've often asked about financial information. Is it out of pocket, through a bank, etc. What would the pay schedule be - monthly or % based? Will they have a general liability insurance policy or maybe builders risk? What insurance will you require for me? And then there is always the intuitive feeling about the person. Do they know what they want or are questions answered with another question? Is it going to be changing or do they have a definitive plan in mind. What warranty do they want? 1 year or 50 years :shock: ?

[grumpydasmurf]

So nobody has a type of script they go through? Some good advice about the finances though.