An Alternative to Free Estimates

Rather than giving away estimates, provide a “Comprehensive Project Evaluation” (for a fee).

1 MIN READ
A Comprehensive Project Evaluation (CPE) includes design drawings, a detailed job scope, photos of the exisiting structure, and a cost analysis. When presenting this to the clients, the author withholds the final cost of the project until the clients understand all the services that his company, DBS Remodel, will provide. While this investment amount is derived from a careful estimate of every task and labor hour, it is presented as simply as possible as a lump sum.

A Comprehensive Project Evaluation (CPE) includes design drawings, a detailed job scope, photos of the exisiting structure, and a cost analysis. When presenting this to the clients, the author withholds the final cost of the project until the clients understand all the services that his company, DBS Remodel, will provide. While this investment amount is derived from a careful estimate of every task and labor hour, it is presented as simply as possible as a lump sum.

Brian Altmann’s company, DBS Remodel no longer gives “estimates” to potential customers. Instead, the firm provides “Comprehensive Project Evaluations,” or CPEs—for a fee.

A project’s CPE is composed of three parts: the design, the job scope, and a cost analysis (three components I believe every homeowner needs in order to properly conduct business with a remodeling company). The CPE is the key to Altmann’s business, and the key to an effective CPE is a well-written job scope.

In this article in Remodeling‘s sister publication, JLC, Altmann reviews how to compose an accurate job scope, which he describes as “a precious document that clearly defines precisely what the consumer is purchasing. Leaving no stone unturned, this line-by-line summary outlines the step-by-step components of all work to be completed, as well as expressing what is not included and what is to remain untouched.”

Read more.

About the Author

Brian Altmann

Brian Altmann, CAPS, is president of DBS Remodel, a design-build residential remodeling company based in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He is also a private consultant for other remodeling companies related to business advice. brian@dbsremodel.com

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