Planning contract ... A new trick for quick customer retention?

What are you up to?

I myself demand money for offers where the customer wants a preliminary planning ... the reason is quite simple, most customers run with my work to others and have them implement it!

I see it as outrageous not only to not get paid for services but then to take my intellectual experience to others ...

In the meantime, I also charge money for offers without sketches ... because it eats into my free time ...

Service paid = working time Service unpaid = free time Because even every small job requires at least 40 paid hours!

I agree 100%, we do it the same way (not a construction company, but building automation). Exactly for the reason that people run with finished concepts, which can involve a lot of time, simply to the next one who then easily offers a slightly lower price. Needs assessment and a room book are free, every further detail costs. Live and let live.

I myself charge money for offers where the customer wants preliminary planning ... the reason is quite simple, most customers take my work to others and have them implement it!

I consider it outrageous not only to get work unpaid but then to take one’s intellectual experience to others ...

Nowadays I also charge money for offers without sketches ... because it takes away from my free time ...

Work paid = working hours
Work unpaid = free time
Because even every little one needs at least 40 paid hours!

I understand this attitude. It is somehow plausible.

However, this is often the craftsman’s way of thinking. I do something now for them and in return I want my money from them.

Well, in all the industries I know more deeply, there is no 100% money guarantee.
It would be too good if every written offer also brought money. You have to stretch yourself and partly set up mixed calculations.

Customers want something? Write an offer!
Customer should pay? Get the order and work it off accordingly.

But sure, currently craftsmen can apparently do whatever they want! (Although the craftsmen in my area are still complaining because jobs are not worthwhile?! Strange).
But times will change again eventually. Then I want to see if anyone with the 100%-money-guarantee attitude survives. Of course, I would wish it for that person. But I don’t believe it.

Stromberg: He who doesn’t go with the times, must go with the times.

That’s life

I understand this attitude. It is somehow plausible.

However, this is often the craftsman’s way of thinking. I do something now for him and in return I want my money from him.

Well, in all the industries I know in depth, there is no 100% money guarantee. It would be too cool if every written offer also brought in money. You have to stretch yourself and partly set up mixed calculations.

Want customers? Write offers! Customer should pay? Get the order and work accordingly.

But sure, at the moment craftsmen can apparently proceed as they want! (Although craftsmen in my area are still complaining that orders are not profitable?! Strange). But times will be different again someday. Then I want to see if anyone with the 100% money guarantee attitude survives. Of course, I would wish that person well. But I don’t believe it.

Stromberg: Whoever does not keep up with the times must go with the times.

That’s life

no, it isn’t!

Just sent the SLR back again. Everyone wants to charge 29-50 € for the inspection/error analysis, which will be invoiced if repaired. By the way, the cost estimate states that the final invoice can be +/- 20% depending on the effort. It is Caon directly, so serious.

But it was like this already 5 years ago.

I can absolutely understand that craftsmen, who are already overloaded, charge money here for offers and information. I must repeatedly quote my acquaintance: "I don’t make money writing offers." How many free riders do we have by now who build according to budget and obtain 8 offers per trade??? And it doesn’t stop with the offer. Depending on the trade, the customer, pardon, he is not a customer but only an interested party, also wants detailed information whether the toilet is 80 or 60 cm high.

I understand this attitude. It is somehow plausible.

However, this is often the craftsman mentality. I do something now for someone and in return I want my money from them.

Well, in all the industries I know in depth, there is no 100% money guarantee.
It would be too good if every written offer also brought money. You have to stretch yourself and sometimes make mixed calculations.

Want customers? Write an offer!
Customer should pay? Get the order and work it accordingly.

But sure, at the moment craftsmen can apparently do whatever they want! (Although the craftsmen in my area are still complaining because orders are not profitable?! Strange).
But the times will eventually be different again. Then I want to see if anyone survives with the 100%-money-guarantee attitude. Of course, I would wish that for them. But I don’t believe it.

Stromberg: Whoever does not keep up with the times must go with the times.

That’s life

When I make an offer, depending on the scope, I sit there at least 4 hours, larger inquiries normally take 3-4 days, but these are mostly through architects who have no clue anyway!
Only idiots estimate! Although they still get their money ...
Then the potential customer wants to see something, like a rough drawing, and already 8 hours of free time are gone ...
What does the greedy customer do? He takes the free obtained documents to the next one ...

About the drawing, the CAD program in steel construction costs ~25,000€, I, as a small one, need 40 paid hours just like any other indifferent worker, plus bureaucracy, documentation ...

What do you think why many customers send you on? Because 80 hours a week are no longer enough! And when I calculate these hours, it’s clear, I have no right to minimum wage in Germany!

While others have a family life, we sit there for free and have to write offers ... no, for me it has something to do with respect and human rights!

For me, customers who get my service for free are inhuman egoists!

PS: The other countries of the EU can do it much better! Live and let live ...