Things to Consider When Quoting and Securing Early Season Jobs

It’s January, we are on the other side of the winter solstice, and the days are getting longer! If you are a Calgary building contractor, by now you’ve evaluated the 2019 performance of your business, developed your plan of attack for 2020, and are ready to start implementing your marketing strategy to reach the lofty yet attainable goals you’ve set for yourself!

Congratulations Calgary’s best contractors, you are well on your way to making 2020 your best year in building homes, fences, decks, pergolas, and beyond…

When the phone inevitably starts to ring, and your customers begin looking for designs and quotes on their projects, there are a few things you should consider when quoting and securing your early season contracting jobs.

You will look like a hero in the eyes of your clients when you follow Mountain View Building Materials simple rules for early-season jobs:

1. When purchasing early season building materials, remember to ask if they are from last year.

Last years materials may not be stocked at your favorite building supplier the following year, leaving you searching for that infamous “last piece” to finish the job. There are also variations in color between dye lots, specifically with composite decking products so just because it is the same colored deck board you ordered last year, it does not mean it will be a 100% match! Composite companies regularly discontinue under performing colors & product lines and Canada is a small fish in a big pond, so just because a product is performing good up North in Calgary and area, it doesn’t mean it is performing well down South. If this is the case, the product will be deemed an “under performer” and be subject to the chopping block.

At Mountain View Building Materials, we will do everything we can to ensure you have all the building materials you need for your job, especially when working with last years products!

2. Often, heavily discounted products are heavily discounted for a reason.

It is not uncommon to find heavily discounted products early in the season as retailers and suppliers struggle to make room for next year’s inventory. If a product you are eyeing for a customer is heavily discounted, make sure to go and inspect it in person prior to committing. The product could be returns accumulated throughout the year, or they may have some damage or imperfections. If you have worked with Mountain View Building Materials before, you know that heavily discounted material is not necessarily a bad thing, we just recommend you make sure you are educated on what you are getting before it gets shipped to site to avoid any surprises. Plus, we love it when you stop by our shop, located in Springbank, Rocky View County, just outside of Calgary and Cochrane

3. Purchase prices for building materials in Calgary can differ greatly depending on your start date.

Did you know that Calgary’s white wood and commodity based lumber prices change every 5 days?! Did you know that Calgary’s treated lumber prices change quarterly or every 3 months?! Composite and engineered wood prices tend to be more stable.

As your building materials supplier, it is our job to make you aware of pricing changes, but it’s good to let your team at Mountain View Building Materials know the intended start date of the project so we can give you the most accurate quote for your home-building, fencing, decking, or other lumber project!

We’re truly proud to offer unparalleled knowledge, quality, and service every step of the way, because your success is our success

4. Learn which products your favorite building material supplier will be stocking this year.

AKA: Come to our Lunch & Learn events, book an appointment with one of our local building experts, or stop by anytime.

Educating yourself on the latest and greatest building materials will allow you to be an expert on the product you are intending to sell your customer. You can acquire a wealth of knowledge available to you by simply calling your favorite building materials retail associate to learn more about a product. We can set you up with all the brochures and assets you may need about a specific building material for any project from fencing to decking to siding and beyond.

By selling the product your favourite building materials supplier stocks, you can be sure it will always be on the ground, saving you the headache inducing process of searching or waiting for the “last piece”.

Finally you will get the best product support by selling stocked building products. Warranty issues, replacement boards, quick deliveries etc. can all be expedited if product is actually in yard!

With all that said, go out there and attack your 2020 plan, and know that your friends at Mountain View Building Materials are here to help! From design to completion; choose Calgary and areas go-to building supplier for your project.

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