Client told me my driveway estimate was too detailed, now I change how I quote

Had a guy last month in Portland tell me my 4 page breakdown for a 600 square foot concrete pour was “too confusing.” He wanted a single number with no line items for rebar or finishing. He ended up going with a cheaper guy who just wrote a price on a napkin. Now I send a short summary first and only give the full breakdown if they ask. Has anyone else had clients get overwhelmed by honest details?

3 comments

3 Comments

kimr911d ago

Respectfully garcia.wren, I see it different. A detailed breakdown shows you're not hiding anything. Those cheap napkin quotes usually end up with change orders for every extra step. I had a customer get mad at me for listing concrete sealer as separate line item, then called me six months later when the other guy's driveway was all cracked and stained. Maybe the trick is to frame it as "this is what you get for your money" instead of a confusing list, because cheap bids often cost more in the long run.

the_mary1d ago

Yeah I just started grouping everything as a flat rate and it stopped a lot of the questions.

garcia.wren1d ago

oh man this brings back a memory from when I tried to help my neighbor sort out a patio quote. she's like this older lady who just wanted a flat price and I kept trying to explain how the gravel base and sealing costs were separate and she finally just said "just tell me how much to write the check." I mean I get it, sometimes people just want the bottom line and all the extra detail feels like you're trying to upsell them or hide something. maybe it's just me but I feel like some folks get suspicious when you break it down too much, like they think you're gonna nickel and dime them later.