Bidding
At the end of the day, we're all trying to make as much money as possible. If you can make $700 profit in 2 hours do it! I don't quote based on square footage. Of course its good to know what the average is for other people charge, but it take too much energy worrying what others are doing. If the average is $9 per square foot, and you know the price of the job you're looking at is $500, but you think you can bill them $850 and get the job, why wouldn't you bid higher.
The amount of jobs you will get using this method beats out the customers saying "no" because someone can do it cheaper. There will always be someone who can do it cheaper. If you market yourself in a personal way, people feel like they're buying from the individual more than buying from a company. They are more likely to go with you at a higher price.
Lots of sales trainers teach you it's all about the upsale, but when was the last time you were happy about an upsell? I can't imagine a time I have. The film you're selling, typically all costs the same. If you tell a customer the price is the same no matter what they pick, they will be more interested at looking at the options. People naturally will stay away from options that are more money but that is completely up to the individual. Of course some films are more money like security films, but that is a little different and requires more time for the installation.
It's your job to tell the customer all about the product without confusing them. Not everyone wants the scientific details, but it's extremely important that you know them. Some customers do expect the scientific explanation for things. That is your job to read the individual to see what they want. There's also nothing wrong with asking "is there more you would like to know?"
Pick up on your surroundings. Do they have fine art on the wall? Okay, great the film can protect that! I use this example for 2 reasons. It shows the customer you care about protecting their art with the UV Protectant film & the many benefits it has, BUT it also may be a tell they like finer things. Maybe they will spend more money on something they like. Where do they live? Is it a nice part of town? Nice cars in the driveway? Modest cars, but a beautiful home? These are the details that go into selling.
At this stage in my career, I'm authentically myself. I try not to use something "ON" a customer to get an edge, but just be smooth with it.
Maybe they have a half a million dollar Lamborghini in the driveway, but you're price is totally fair. Maybe they expected you to quote high, because they said people quote them high. At the end of the day, you want to get as much as you can without the customer feeling like your price is a rip off. If you can beat someones price, but you're genuinely happy with the profit from that job, take it. The money is made from the crumbs and the big slices.
Sample Book
Any of the companies I linked to get you set up with film will have a sample book. Order one and get to know all the products like the back of your hand. Most of them cost the same. Let the customer take a pic without the pressure of one being more expensive than the other.
Calculating Job Cost
1. Measure the Height and Width of Each Window
Start by measuring the height and width of each window (in inches or feet). It's important to measure the visible glass area, so make sure to avoid measuring any frame or trim.
- Height: Measure from the bottom of the window to the top.
- Width: Measure from one side of the window to the other.
2. Convert Measurements to Linear Feet
If you're measuring in inches, you’ll need to convert the measurements into feet (since one linear foot = 12 inches).
- For height in inches: divide the height measurement by 12.
- For width in inches: divide the width measurement by 12.
For example, if a window is 36 inches tall and 48 inches wide:
- Height in feet = 36 ÷ 12 = 3 feet
- Width in feet = 48 ÷ 12 = 4 feet
3. Calculate the Linear Feet of Film Needed
To determine how much film is needed, you'll calculate the perimeter (the total length of edges) of the window. Here's the formula for that:
Linear Feet of Film = (Height + Width) x 2
This formula accounts for both sides of the window.
For the example above (a window 36” tall and 48” wide):
- Perimeter = (3 + 4) x 2 = 14 feet of linear film
So for this window, you would need 14 linear feet of film to cover both sides.
4. Account for Extra Film
You’ll need extra film for mistakes, overlap, and trimming. A common rule of thumb is to add 10–15% more film to your total measurement.
For example, if you need 14 linear feet, adding 10% gives you:
14 feet + 1.4 feet = 15.4 feet (so round it up to 16 feet for safety).
5. Repeat for Each Window
Do the same for every window you're tinting and add them all together to get the total linear footage required for your project.
*Remember the rolls of films come in 36", 48", 60", & 72". Make the best use the roll size to maximize the amount you can get out of a roll.
STAY PROFITABLE!
Only order film after you collect a small deposit. Don't build up inventory off the bat. You're putting yourself in debt for no reason. Inventory that is sitting on the shelf waiting to get a job is debt.
Rolls of film on the shelf when theres leftovers from a job you already made money on is what you want. I personally worked with companies over the years who order rolls of film because they think spending $1,000 while saving $100 on cut fees (cutting the roll from 100' to a less amount upon request, like 25') is a better buy. You still have $1,000 debt until you sell the job.
The rolls come in 25' increments, so if you need 20' just order 25', if you need 49' order 75'. For this example, you would already know the total cost of a 75' roll of film. But you need more than 1' for extra, you can't finish. 1 mistake or less then you have to come back. That's not as profitable to be going back to jobs. Unless of course its a big job.. Bill for having to buy 75'. If you don't get the job because of that, thats okay. BECAUSE you avoided debt.