• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Quotes, Estimates and Ballpark Figures

November 15, 2016 By Naseem Muaddi

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Telphone Estimate

When it comes to pricing jobs over the phone, we all know there are only three ways a call can go: (1) It’s a straightforward project for which the price is set, (2) There are so many factors involved that you can’t possibly give a price without seeing the vehicle first, or (3) The request is a bit complicated, but you could probably give the customer a rough idea of what it will cost.

The first two scenarios are cut and dry. But the third can get dicey if you or your customer use the terms quote, estimate or ballpark figure incorrectly.

Most of you know this, but here’s a refresher on how they differ:

Quote — A firm price that is guaranteed not to change within the immediate future. If unanticipated work is required to finish the job, the auto upholstery shop eats the cost.

Most quotes are written, but in some cases can be given over the phone. Shops should only provide quotes for straightforward projects where it’s highly unlikely that unforeseen circumstances could arise. For example, recovering a Dodge Caravan headliner.

Estimate — A projection for how much a job should cost. It’s understood that the shop will do its best to keep the cost as close to this projection as possible, but it could potentially increase.

Most estimates are pretty accurate. Shops should give them when they’re familiar with the work required, but can’t see all the factors involved. Hidden problems like missing hardware and broken components are the reason estimates are usually better than quotes.

Ballpark Figure —A wide price range that gives customers a rough idea of what a total project could potentially cost, from the very low end to the high end.

There’s no accuracy involved in ballpark figures, especially since they’re usually given sight unseen. However, shops find them useful in separating telephone shoppers from buyers. For instance, a ballpark of $1K – $2K could dissuade someone with a budget of only $500.

To successfully use any of these terms over the phone, you have to be very clear with customers about what they mean. For instance: “Listen, I can give you an estimate, but without seeing the car and without taking the seat apart, I can’t promise the price won’t increase. Are you okay with that?”

The terms can even pose problems for walk-in clients, which is why it’s a good idea to hang a sign in your shop that clearly states their definitions. It’s especially helpful when you get that customer – which we’ve all had – who only hears the low-end of the ballpark and wants to hold you to it.

To nip any problems in the bud, I like to remain as transparent as possible about my work throughout the life of a project. For instance, if I give a client an estimate and he accepts, I call him when unforeseen issues arise. I also offer to send photos of what I found or invite him to come see the problem himself. And when the final bill comes, I make sure everything is itemized.

Most customers won’t have any problems with estimates or ballpark figures, so long as you ensure that you’re both on the same page from the start.

Filed Under: Archive, Better Business, THR Favorites Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Job Estimate

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jorgensen says

    January 28, 2020 at 7:39 pm

    I do not blow phone inquiries off.
    I do ask follow up questions to box in the job.
    One common ask- headliner, Sunroof?, Yes, factory? (there are a bunch of vehicles where sunroofs are rare or only coupled with a “package”… A Camry with fabric and a sunroof? very good chance dealer installed)
    “oh, I guess you need to see it?” Terrific.
    This does take time, some want a bottom line price, period. On the phone.
    ’06 Jetta headliner, (actually almost any VW of the last decade)
    Intricate, problematic. Folk ask for a range, between x to y, “”but another place is quoting 25% of that…”
    Go, and visit them, look at the work in house. If you are comfortable, go forward.
    We end up seeing 1/3rd of those. Sometimes after a hack job.
    The email requests are a whole other issue, 80% are scam attempts.

Primary Sidebar

anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Hyde Leather
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Albright's Supply
  • Keyston Bros
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Leather Craft
  • Big Z Fabric

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - VW Bus

JNG Creations 1961 VW Bus Resto-Rod

After converting a 1961 Volkswagen single-cab … [more] about JNG Creations 1961 VW Bus Resto-Rod

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Design Studio - Chevrolet Chevelle

Design Studio: 1968-72 Chevelle Door Panel

We’re continuing our popular door panel … [more] about Design Studio: 1968-72 Chevelle Door Panel

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ish Jimenez - West Coast Customs

Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 2

In part one of our three-part interview … [more] about Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 2

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - M&M Hot Rod Interiors

Shop Profile: M&M Hot Rod Interiors

Since 1982, M&M Hot Rod Interiors in … [more] about Shop Profile: M&M Hot Rod Interiors

Building Brand Awareness for Your Shop

We’ve all been there before – standing … [more] about Building Brand Awareness for Your Shop

How to Build a Display Motorcycle Seat

In April, I wrote an article titled "Why I … [more] about How to Build a Display Motorcycle Seat

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • The Viral Headrest Gun Safe Is Going Nationwide with Tint World
  • TMG and Haartz to Open North Carolina Plant, Creating 125 New Jobs
  • Everything We Covered in June 2025
  • How OEM+ Auto Tops is Redefining Convertible Top Manufacturing with In-House Mold Production
  • From Factory Match to Full Custom: LEATHER CRAFT Has It Covered

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in