Site visits & quoting
The site-walkthrough checklist: ask these before you quote
The walkthrough is where you win or lose the job — and where you find out whether it'll be profitable. Ask these questions before you put a number on paper.
A quote built on assumptions either loses money or loses the bid. Twenty minutes of the right questions on-site beats a painful re-do — or a job that bleeds margin all season. Walk the property with this list.
Why the walkthrough decides the quote
The customer is deciding if they trust you, and you're deciding if the job is worth having. Both happen here. The owner who asks sharp questions looks like a pro and prices accurately.
The checklist
Access & logistics: gate codes, parking, water and power access, room for equipment, allowed working hours, pets.
Scope: exact areas in and out of scope, frequency, special features (irrigation, beds, trees, hardscape), debris removal.
Expectations: what "great" looks like to them, what went wrong with the last vendor, any non-negotiables.
Decision: who signs off, the budget range, the timeline, whether they're getting other bids.
Red flags: unrealistic expectations, vague scope, signs of a slow payer, "can you also just…" scope creep.
Tailor it per property with AI
I'm doing a walkthrough for a [commercial/residential] landscaping job: [describe the property and what they asked for]. Give me a grouped question checklist for the visit, and tag the 8 most important "MUST-ASK" so I price it accurately.
Get the tailored version
The $47 Starter Pack turns this into a prompt that builds a property-specific checklist and flags the must-ask questions for you — plus nine more prompts for the writing that wins and keeps jobs.
FAQ
How long should a walkthrough take?
15–30 minutes — long enough to see access, scope, and condition, short enough to respect their time.
Should I quote on the spot?
No. Gather answers on-site, then send a written quote. On-the-spot numbers are how you underbid.