Things You'll Need:
- paperwork
- briefcase
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Step 1
You are a walking advertisement for your company. Before you meet with a customer be clean cut and well dressed. Not a suit and tie. Go dressed to work, but not like the guy in the picture below either. Find a happy medium and look decent, or at least safe.
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Step 2
Get a briefcase if you don't already have one to store important papers to show your prospects for credibility. You will have to show your business license and proof of insurance. Always keep fliers and business cards on hand.
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Step 3
You need some bidding forms for your free estimates and contracts- don't take anyone's word that they will pay you at the end of the day unless you have established a permanent relationship. You may go to the library and photocopy free forms or you may search online. Look for short and simple forms that cover all your bases.
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Step 4
This contract in hand will also enable you to close a deal on the spot, just have them sign on the dotted line. That is your goal and mission. Letting someone think on it is a sure way to lose the job. Create urgency.
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Step 5
Occasionally you will run into people that will have you give them a free estimate just so they can decide how much the materials are going to run them and get free advice to do it themselves. Other times they just need an idea how much to pay Uncle Jack to do all the work. Don't provide them with that much information or go into details of how you plan on accomplishing the task.
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Step 6
You are selling yourself and your abilities. If you sense they are taking you for a ride emphasize the complexity of the job and the things that could go wrong if the job is not handled by a professional. Get out that contract and ask them to sign, explaining that your services may be booked in the near future by someone else unless they reserve you on the spot.
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Step 7
Aside from being on time with appointments, follow ups and call backs, there are a few optional things you can do to go the extra mile when giving out free estimates. Since you haven't had a chance to build up a great reputation you could provide a copy of a recent background check on yourself. The other is a recent drug test and show a copy of your driver's license.
This would help put the new prospects mind at ease since it is highly likely that they have had run ins with fraudulent companies in the past. -
Step 8
You need good references to provide the clients. In your briefcase you should have plenty of before and after pictures to show off your best projects and the variety of skills you have.
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Step 9
Now that you have given the estimate be prepared to follow through and complete all the tasks as promised. Any discrepancy in expectations in this early stage of the relationship can cause you to lose a customer for LIFE! This could have a ripple effect and lose you any potential work from this client as well as word of mouth advertising.
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Step 10
How to Start a Handyman Service- Estimates is part 4 of a series. Please click the link below for part 5
Comments
joni04 said
on 2/27/2009 Great article. Thanks for the tips. *****