The Three Questions I Ask Before I Give You a Quote

Most contractors show up, look at your project for five minutes, and throw out a number. Then you're left wondering: is this fair? Did they even understand what I need? Why is the other guy's quote so different?

I do it differently, and it starts with three questions that most handymen never bother to ask.

Question 1: What Are You Actually Trying to Accomplish?

This sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often it matters.

Someone calls and says "I need a new deck railing." Okay, but why? Is the old one rotting and dangerous? Does it not meet code? Do you just hate how it looks? Are you getting ready to sell the house?

The answer changes everything.

If it's rotting, we need to check if the posts are solid or if we're looking at a bigger structural issue. If it's a code problem, we need to build to specific heights and spacing. If it's cosmetic, we can talk about design options that fit your home's style. If you're selling, maybe we go with something classic that appeals to buyers rather than something custom.

Same question—"I need a new railing"—but four completely different projects depending on what you're actually trying to accomplish.

I've saved people thousands of dollars by asking this question. Sometimes what they think they need isn't what will actually solve their problem. And sometimes what they need is bigger than they realized, and it's better to know that upfront than halfway through the job.

Question 2: What's Your Timeline Look Like?

Here's the truth: I can usually move faster than I quote. But I don't promise what I can't guarantee.

If you need something done by next weekend because family is visiting, that's important to know. I might be able to shuffle things around, or I might need to tell you honestly that I can't hit that deadline. Either way, you can plan accordingly.

If you're flexible on timing, that opens up options. Maybe I can group your job with another one nearby and save you some money on my drive time. Maybe I can order materials in bulk with another project. Maybe I can slot you in during a lighter week and get to it sooner than expected.

And if it's a project that needs to happen in stages—demo one week, let something set, come back to finish—I need to know if that works for your schedule. I've had people assume it'll all happen in one day, then get frustrated when I explain we need to let concrete cure or paint dry between steps.

The timeline question isn't just about scheduling. It's about setting realistic expectations so nobody's disappointed.

Question 3: Have You Gotten Other Quotes?

Most contractors hate when you tell them you're getting other bids. I actually want to know.

Not because I'm trying to undercut someone—I don't play that game. But because it tells me what you're comparing and what matters to you.

If someone quoted you half what I'm about to quote, either they're cutting corners, they didn't understand the scope, or they're desperate for work. I'd rather know that upfront so I can explain exactly what you're getting for my price.

If someone quoted you twice what I'm about to quote, either they're padded in overhead, they're overbuilding the project, or they think you won't notice. Again, better for both of us if I know what you're comparing to.

And sometimes, other quotes help me spot things I might have missed. If three people are quoting you for replacing the posts and I only quoted for the railing, maybe I need to take another look at those posts.

I'm confident in my pricing. I know what things cost, what my time is worth, and what quality work requires. I'm not the cheapest, and I'm not the most expensive. I'm fair. But "fair" only makes sense in context.

What These Questions Really Tell Me

Here's what I'm actually figuring out when I ask these questions:

Am I the right person for this job?

Not every job is a good fit for me. If you need something done tomorrow, I'm probably not your guy. If you want the absolute cheapest option regardless of quality, I'm definitely not your guy. If you need someone who specializes in something I only do occasionally, I'll tell you that and probably recommend someone better suited.

Can I actually make you happy?

Some people want a craftsman who'll take the time to do custom work beautifully. Some people want functional and fast. Some people want someone to help them figure out what they even need. I'm better at some of those than others, and it's better for both of us if we figure that out before I start.

What's the real scope of this project?

The three questions usually reveal things that weren't in the original description. "Oh, and while you're here, could you look at..." or "I didn't mention this, but..." Those extras matter. They affect my quote, my timeline, and whether I'm even the right fit.

Why Most Contractors Skip This

I'll be honest: these questions take time. It's faster to just measure, calculate, quote, and move on. You can probably squeeze in more estimates that way, which means more chances to book jobs.

But I've found that the projects that start with these questions go smoother. Fewer surprises. Fewer misunderstandings. Fewer "I thought you were going to..." conversations halfway through.

And the customers who appreciate this approach are the ones I want to work with anyway. The ones who care about doing it right, not just doing it cheap. The ones who understand that good work takes thought, not just labor.

What Happens After the Questions

Once I understand what you're trying to accomplish, your timeline, and what you're comparing to, I can give you a real quote. Not a guess, not a range with hidden contingencies—a solid number based on actual understanding of your project.

And I can tell you honestly if I'm the right fit. Sometimes I'm not, and that's okay. I'd rather send you to someone better suited than take your money for a job I'm not excited about.

But when it is a good fit, when the project lines up with what I do best and you're the kind of customer who values quality work, then we both know we're starting off on the right foot.

The Bottom Line

Anyone can measure and quote. That's the easy part.

The hard part—the part that actually matters—is understanding what you really need, setting realistic expectations, and making sure we're both confident this is going to work out well.

That's what the three questions are really about.

So when I show up and start asking questions instead of just measuring and calculating, that's not me wasting time. That's me making sure that when I give you a number, it means something. And when we shake hands on it, we both know exactly what we're agreeing to.

Thirty years of doing this has taught me: the projects that start with good questions end with happy customers. And those are the only kind I want.