How do I train my nephew to quote pressure washing jobs accurately?

Start in the field. Take him to estimates and ask him to work out the job before you speak. Explain how you read the surface, how dirty it is, how hard it is to reach and what could slow the crew down. Do this over several weeks so that he sees many different jobs.

Then show him the numbers. Share past quotes alongside the final time and materials used. Where quotes were too low or too high, discuss why. Your accountant can help him understand how a quote becomes profit once overhead is covered. Try to quote one real job yourself in front of him and then talk through how you arrived at the number.

Teach the customer side too. A good quote explains what is included, what is not and what could change the price. Let him practise explaining it aloud, and sit in on his first few conversations. Set up a simple check. For the first several jobs, review his quote before it goes out, and review the result afterwards. Keep a log of surprises. Finally, talk about what happens when he is unsure. It is better to return to the site than to guess.

Key takeaways

• Have him estimate on site first, then compare with your quote.
• Review old quotes against the real time and materials used.
• Check his early quotes before they go out and learn from surprises.
• Sit in on his first few customer conversations.