Ok, as an end-user, without the quoting process, how do I find out what it's going to cost for you build my project?... Steve
I have become very independant in the last few years. My clients know this. IF they need something that I can provide AND they have enough money to get it THEN we sit down and talk.
It start with what they need ... not what they want, because half the time they don't know what they want but sure enough, by talking about there problems and expectation we can easaly determine what they need. With this I can tell then a ball park figure VERBALY.
I will exchange a formal Quote for a Purchase Order number.
Its like a prenup agreement. You write it down AFTER you have decided what is going to be in it.
Sometime a new client will be shopping around for prices and they don't have a clue about the value nor the price of what they think they need. I talk with them very openly about there ideas and also about the price for them.
If I have to renew a quote some months later... I keep the same quote but it goes up 50%.
I give my loyal client all that I can. My honesty, my sense of pride in the work I do, I go the whole nine yard to give them the best for there money. In exchange for this and to respect myself I don't give a damn $hit about the others.
I don't deal with cities, goverments or BIG corporations. I have sent some of them registered letters to stop sending me plans and drawings to quote on (once your in there system its hard to get out).
I used to have maybee 40 clients... on and off. Now its downd to perhaps 15. I make better money. My quote succes is around 99% and I am much happyer.
So Steve how do find out ...
First, you should know the price BEFORE you ask a quote
Second, a ball park figure is +/- 15%
I sub-contract some work to others and I always make my informal quote of the work they will quote me.
Whatever way they use to quote... from the simplest to the more detailed, we are always within 10%.
So what's 10% between thrusting partners? Yes, once you use an integrator or another professional, you are is partner in the succes of your project.