Earlier in the week a client asked for a quote to spread soil around their new drive.  I’m disappointed in myself because I almost spent more time contemplating the job than doing it.  I believe the term is analysis paralysis.

Let me explain.

When talking with the client I said I can do the job but I’d like to look at it first.

New drives are usually 2-3 inches above grade and knowing the size of their drive it was going to take a decent amount of soil.

The client said, “Go ahead and do the job, no need to give a quote.”  I appreciated the trust but I don’t like to work jobs without a quote.  It’s easy for a client and I to be on different pages.

The job was going to take 3 yards of topsoil.  Further, the soil had to be pushed uphill from the street.  I wasn’t going to park my 24,000 pound truck on a new drive to save steps.  That’s asking for tire marks and a dirty drive.

I called a friend for a reality check.  During the call I hemmed and hawed about the work involved and whether I’d get the job or not.  My friend assured me I wasn’t crazy.

My fear, based on the way business has been the last few years, was that my client was going to decline the work.

That night I called my customer, told him the investment and promptly received a go ahead.

What’s the big deal?