Gutter Estimate Software Enables Contractors To Win More Jobs

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12/09/21

The gutter installation industry is very saturated. Many contractors and independent gutter installers are offering similar services. So, even though you might be offering a superior combination of products, services, and prices, that overcrowdedness makes it very difficult for your customers to determine which is the best person for the job. Especially since most of these contractors offer the same services as you do. How do you set yourself apart from the rest and win more jobs? How can you distinguish yourself from the competition and get more customers for your gutter installation business?

The answer is: Better Gutter Estimating & Proposal Software.

One of the best ways to ensure that your estimate is complete, accurate, and catches every detail of the project without costing you valuable time or money is through estimating software like Trackfront, which is designed to make your job simple, increase your profit, and win more jobs.

Win more customers by making your business stand out from the rest

It won't be easy. However, there are ways to differentiate your business from the competition. One of the best and most effective ways to do this is by using better estimating software. This will not only help you close more sales but also make your business look more professional to potential clients. Trackfront helps to automate the estimation process, making it faster, easier, and more accurate. You can also use it to create customized proposals, as well as track job costs and project progress.

Better estimating software will also help you win more jobs and close sales faster because it allows you to submit accurate estimates quickly. Additionally, using estimating software can save you time and money on each job. Using gutter estimate software such as Trackfront is one way to separate your business from the competition and win more jobs. Here are some excellent ways to make your business more appealing to potential customers.

Offer a wide range of services and service options

A sure bet to making your business stand out from the others is offering as many products and services as possible.

Offer a wide range of styles and materials

You can start by offering as many gutter types and styles as possible: K-style, Half-round, and Box gutters for example. Furthermore, it's a good idea to offer a wide range of gutter materials such as vinyl, copper, galvanized steel, and aluminum.

Gutter parts and add-ons

In addition to offering a wide range of gutter styles and materials, you should also consider offering a wide range of options when it comes to downspouts, downspout elbows, ferrules, hangers, end caps, pipe cleats, and mitered corners. Your clients will also appreciate offering add-ons such as a wide range of leaf guard options.

Downspouts and drainage

A wide range of downspout and drainage options can also be a strong selling point. It will help if you emphasize the importance of the downspout and drainage option as much as possible. Here are some of the selling points you should be communicating to your customers:

Prevent rainwater penetrating the foundation of the house which can undermine the entire structure.
Your basement can be flooded.
Mold and mildew can appear on your walls.
Attract insects, critters, and pests
Damage your shrubbery and garden flowers
Create leaks in your windows and doors

Maintenance services

Customers also care greatly about what happens after you install their gutters. Most of them know that their gutters will need the occasional cleaning so they can work properly. Offering maintenance services to your clients can be another benefit as well as creating an additional revenue stream for your business.

Elevate your professionalism and beat your competitors

The first impression is everything, not just in life, but in business as well. Nowadays, that's more than just being polite and friendly with your customers. It involves being able to communicate your professionalism and approach your customers in a way that will get you more jobs.

Your website is key to making a good first impression with potential clients in this digital era. These days, people find businesses online, and one of the first things they will do is go to your website. Having a professionally designed website will go a long way to creating a great first impression for your business.

Additionally, gutter estimate software such as Trackfront can play a huge role in elevating the customer experience. Using gutter estimating software can help you elevate your professionalism with ease by ensuring that every single detail of the estimate is covered, from start to finish.

In addition, creating estimates with this software ensures accuracy and saves valuable time. Thanks to Trackfront, you can easily create custom proposals for each client in a very short amount of time. So, no more emails, no more paper-based quotes, and no more wasting time. You'll be able to focus more on doing great work instead of spending lots of time creating proposals. The customer gets a customized proposal with all the details they're wanting in a very short amount of time. They don't have to wait days to get pricing. It is a win-win situation for everyone.

Create clear cut proposals to educate your clients why you are better than your competitors

A well-thought-out proposal can make all the difference when it comes to winning new business. Therefore, some of the most important things that you need to include in your proposal are:

Customer-centric reasons why they need to choose your company for their gutter installation project
Things that make you different from your closest competitors - comparison charts are great ways to communicate this
Which gutters and styles do you recommend, the reason why you recommend those exact gutters, and how do they compare against other gutter types
Factors to consider when selecting the proper gutters
Top factors that influence the cost of the project
Send photos and examples of finished, previous projects similar to theirs - that way, they can see first-hand what they can expect to receive from you
Guide them through the process, from start to finish - let them know how your team will install the gutters, what steps they will take, how long it will take, and so on
Explain to them about the warranty/guarantee of your work and your products
Share online reviews and customer references

With the help of Trackfront, it is possible to create customized proposals based on your sales materials and information customized for each customer's unique needs. Plus, you can create various pricing scenarios with optional products and services to let them make an informed choice based on their budget.

Quote competitively while remaining profitable

As mentioned earlier, the gutter installation business is highly competitive. Price is one of the top deciding factors customers consider when choosing a gutter installer. Creating accurate price quotes takes time. In the past, you needed to do all that by hand and only with the help of your calculator. Many contractors still present pricing with very rudimentary details on a piece of paper to customers.

Fortunately, the days of calculating material and labor costs by hand and the time-consuming task of going through all the possible pricing scenarios are gone. Trackfront enables you to do all the math instantly, even for the most complex pricing scenarios. You'll have a clear picture of what all your costs are and how competitive you can be on price. That way, you can give your best quote while remaining profitable.

The gutter estimate software will always include all costs that lead to the final quote. Here is what Trackfront can be set up to take into consideration when calculating your cost:

Costs by linear foot of gutter by material type
Costs by linear foot of different gutter sizes
Costs by linear foot of seamless vs. sectional gutters
Costs of corners versus straight runs
Gutter hanger costs
Screws / nails costs
Heat tape costs
Downspout extension costs
Cost of downspouts, factor in building height
Flashing costs
Splash blocks costs
Gutter painting costs, materials & labor
Permit fees
Labor costs
General installation
Welding, fabrication
Machinery usage costs
Travel costs
Cost to remove old gutters
Drainage rework costs, materials & labor

Always know your bare minimum profit margin

Sometimes, you need to decrease your profit margin in a highly competitive market to win the business. However, there is no point in going below your minimum profit margin and losing any money on a job. Trackfront enables you to create price quotes that keep you aware of your bare minimum profit margin requirements. The more you stop ballparking pricing, applying generalized pricing calculations, and factoring in large markups to cover your unknowns, the more competitively you'll quote, and you'll start winning more jobs.

Adjust quotes for volume

Suppose you got a contract for a massive house. You should be able to adjust your quote due to the economies of scale with a larger project. When you account for all of your costs in great detail, you can make adjustments to your quote that make it more economical than your competitors while remaining profitable. When your quoting process shows you the true costs of the sheer volume of the materials you will use and the long labor hours, you'll be able to quote more competitively. So, why not make small adjustments where possible, and offer some discounts to make your quote even more appealing to your customer.

Add optional items in your quote

Trackfront allows you to easily include optional items and add-ons, such as Leaf Guards. The gutter estimate software enables customers to select any add-ons instantly and update the pricing on the fly as they make their choices.

Account for every activity that requires labor

Your quote should consider every single possible scenario and activity that you may encounter in a job. In addition to the installation, there are additional activities that need to be considered in the final quote. That way, you're accounting for all your costs and you maintain profitability while remaining competitive on price. Some of those activities may include the removal of old gutters, disposal of the old gutters, disposal of other materials, cleaning up after the work is done, etc.

Include price breakdown in your price quote

Transparency is something that every customer cares about. They will trust you more if you are transparent about your cost to complete their project.

Trackfront allows you to control the visibility of your pricing breakdown. You can show as much as you want or as little as you want to your customers. For example, you can show line items but not show your markups.

Include a set of contractual terms and conditions

This is where you define the obligations of both parties, the customer and the contractor. Your customer needs to feel comfortable and protected with the contractual terms and conditions. Here are some suggestions on how to write fair contractual terms and conditions.

Protect the customer and the contractor

Ideally, both parties will be protected by the contractual terms and conditions. This way, you can ensure that none of the parties backs down from what they are obligated to do.

Define payment terms and payment schedules

Payment terms and payment schedules ensure that the customer meets its financial obligations on time and as per the agreement. Failing to pay on time and as agreed, you can take legal action against your client and claim what you are owed. The contractual terms and conditions are a warranty that you will get paid if that happens.

Define what happens in the event of a dispute

The contractual terms will need to define what exactly happens in the event of a dispute between the two parties. Being specific about the potential conflicts can be very helpful and is recommended when writing contractual terms and conditions.

Define what is required of the contractor by the customer

Again, it all comes down to details. Typically the customers require the contractor to do the job within the given time frame without damaging the surrounding property, to make sure that the job is completed per the specifications in the contract, the quality of the work to be as per agreed, etc. Define and outline all required obligations by both parties that ensure a successful job completion.

Define what will be done by the contractor for the customer

The contractor's job is to ensure that they complete the job as agreed with the client, within the agreed time frame, and according to any other pre-agreed terms and conditions. Clearly spell out any deliverables.

Use Trackfront to put it all together

Trackfront is the best gutter estimate software to help you put everything we've outlined together and create a winning proposal. Everything mentioned above is covered with Trackfront's features. Once your customer receives your proposal, they simply accept and digitally sign online, and you're instantly notified that they chose you for the job.

Trackfront can be set up with pre-built estimating templates designed specifically for gutter installation contractors. You can be up and running in no time, and start creating custom proposals within minutes. Creating better proposals in minutes instead of days enables you to not only win more jobs but also run your business in a more effective and streamlined manner.

All in all, The Trackfront software is the best tool to consider for any forward-thinking and revenue-hungry gutter installation business. Missing out on working smarter will be a costly mistake, especially in this overcrowded market in which every job matters. Now that you know how to put together a winning proposal, it's time to get started! Try out the free trial of Trackfront and see for yourself how our software can help your business win more jobs, easier and faster.