Tyre Kickers Ate My Profit (And Probably My Weekend Too)

How Builders Can Qualify Clients and Protect Their Time

You know the type. The client who calls three times, asks for a “quick quote” and swears they’re ready to go. You drop everything, spend hours on the phone, pull together a detailed residential quote, and then… silence.

A week later you spot their design on someone else’s social media.

That, right there, is a tyre kicker. And if you’re not careful, they’ll eat your time, your energy and your profit.

In the world of building estimating services, the real challenge isn’t just pricing accurately, it’s qualifying clients properly. Knowing who’s serious and who’s shopping for free advice can be the difference between a thriving business and a burnt-out builder.

Most builders lose days every month chasing leads that were never going anywhere. By the time you add up all the unpaid hours and late-night emails, it’s no wonder you feel stretched thin.

Here’s what helps:

• Have a clear preconstruction process that screens enquiries before you quote
• Use a quality budget estimate to help clients understand what their design really costs
• Charge for detailed quotes or full quantity estimates
• Keep your communication professional and consistent so you’re seen as a business, not a favour

At Price A Plan we help builders qualify clients with structure and confidence. Our quality budget estimate and full quantity estimate show clients the real cost of their project early, which saves everyone time. It also turns “Can I get a quick quote?” into a paid, valuable service that earns you respect and filters out the tyre kickers fast.

When you learn to qualify the right clients, you protect your weekends, your cash flow and your reputation. You spend less time chasing and more time building.

So next time you get that call asking for a “ballpark figure,” remember that your experience has value. Treat it like it does.

HAYDN SIMMONS – DIRECTOR