Stop Guessing: Quote Commercial Jobs With Confidence
Pricing commercial propane jobs isn’t just about plugging numbers into a calculator. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to underprice the job, miss key details, or lose the bid altogether. When you’re quoting bigger jobs – especially for farms, restaurants, or commercial buildings – small mistakes can cost you in a big way.
You might be dealing with bulk tanks, longer contracts, or complex installation needs. That’s why it’s important to slow down, look at the full picture, and make sure your quote is clear, complete, and fair. Whether you’re new to quoting commercial work or just want to tighten things up, avoiding the most common mistakes can save you time, money, and stress.
Start With a Site Visit, Not a Guess
One of the biggest mistakes is giving a quote without seeing the site in person. You need to look at where the tanks will go, how trucks will access the property, and what type of gas usage they’ll have. Guessing from behind a desk opens the door for surprises – and not the good kind.
If you walk the site yourself, you’ll notice things like uneven ground, long distances between tanks and appliances, or hard-to-reach fill points. All of these can raise your costs and should be reflected in your quote. If you leave them out, you’ll either eat the cost later or frustrate your customer with add-on fees.
Be Clear About What’s Included
Another common issue is failing to spell out exactly what the quote includes. Are you covering the tanks, the regulators, the installation, and the service lines? What about permits or inspections? If your quote is vague, it leaves room for misunderstandings, and those can damage trust.
It helps to make a simple list of what you’re providing, what the customer is expected to provide, and any potential extra charges. This isn’t just for their peace of mind; it protects your business too. When everyone knows what to expect, things tend to run more smoothly.
Don’t Forget Long-Term Expenses
Commercial jobs can turn into long-term accounts. You’re not just quoting the setup – you’re also quoting for years of deliveries, maintenance, and customer service. Think about tank rental fees, refill schedules, and who’s paying for regular checkups.
If you only focus on winning the bid with a low number, you may be setting yourself up for losses over time. You need a price that’s competitive but also reflects the real cost of doing the job right. Be honest with yourself about what it will take to serve this customer well for the long haul.
Review for Hidden Costs and Delays
Some jobs seem simple but have hidden aspects that add time and/or labor. Trenching, special fittings, or weather delays can drive up your costs. Make sure you factor in extra labor if needed and have a buffer for jobs that don’t go exactly to plan.
Also, be sure to look at the customer’s timeline. If they need the job done quickly, you might need to pay overtime or shift your crew around. That has a cost too, and it’s fair to reflect that in the quote.
Give Yourself Room to Explain
Don’t just email the customer a number and hope for the best. When possible, walk them through your quote in person or by phone. This gives you the chance to explain the value of your service, answer questions, and build trust.
It also gives you a better chance to win the job, even if your price isn’t the lowest. Many commercial clients are willing to pay more if they feel confident in your team and clear on what they’re getting.
Why Clear Quotes Lead to Stronger Jobs
When your commercial quotes are done right, they help your business in more ways than one. You avoid delays, stay profitable, and set better expectations from the start. That makes for happier customers, smoother installs, and fewer callbacks later. Quoting commercial work isn’t about just tossing out a price. It’s about setting the job up for success—and that starts with knowing what to look for and communicating it clearly.
Careful quoting helps you avoid future trouble, protect your margins, and deliver great service, and that’s what builds your name in the community. The more you fine-tune this part of your business, the easier it becomes to win jobs, keep clients satisfied, and grow your propane company with confidence.
