6 Tips for Better Pest Control Estimates [Template]

If you own a pest control company, one thing is certain: you’ll have customers contacting you to ask about your services. They’ll want to know exactly what you offer and how much it will cost. In turn, you’ll need to provide them with an estimate. But don’t worry—with a template, you can make fast and easy work of this part of the process. 

An easy-to-understand estimate template that’s branded for your pest control company is vital. It can help you build trust with your customers and win business. 

In this post, you’ll learn what a pest control service estimate is, why you need to provide one to customers, and ways to improve your existing template. We’ll also provide you with a free template you can start using today. 

What Is a Pest Control Service Estimate? 

A pest control service estimate, also known as a pest control proposal, is a statement you’ll provide prospective customers. Your sales team will handle the initial inquiry. The first step is a conversation with the potential customer about their pest control needs. Sometimes, this may include a visit to the property. 

After the salesperson has all the essential information, they’ll assemble it in a proposal template. These may be part of a field service software platform or simply a Word or Excel document.  

The estimate defines what you’ll provide to the customer and the prices associated with it. It’s a standard communication that details the scope of work based on what the homeowner or business needs. 

Why You Need to Provide Your Customers With a Service Proposal 

Before anyone hires you, they need to know what they’ll receive from your pest control business. They’ll likely be comparing pest removal services from more than one company.  

For some potential customers, like property management firms, pest removal services may be an expected cost. But for others, discovering they need to eliminate pests can be a stressful experience.  

Pests can make any space feel less comfortable, so hiring a pest control provider can be an emotional decision. Property owners may also have fears about damage to their property, so time is often of the essence.  

And the need for pest control services continues to increase. The industry grew 2.8% from 2017 to 2021, with over 27,000 businesses in operation. There’s greater demand and more competition, which makes your estimate critical to earning new customers. 

Here’s why you should use an estimate template:  

• The estimate sets up expectations between you and the customer about the scope of the job and the costs.  
• When you create a proposal, you show that you understand the customer’s needs and requirements before any work begins.  
• With estimating documents, your sales team can track opportunities more accurately. The pest control industry is projected to hit $17.4 billion in 2023. Your sales team will need to be able to follow up appropriately and capture some of those profits. 

• Proposals allow those seeking services to compare costs accurately, so be as detailed as possible. Use standard terms so people can confidently judge each proposal and its value. 
• Estimates inform customers of the payment responsibilities (e.g., need for a deposit, pay upon completion, monthly fees, etc.) so there’s no confusion. 

Creating and providing pest control estimates will ultimately help your company operate more efficiently. However, your current template may not cover all the key information or be as impactful as possible. So, what can make your estimates better? 

6 Ways to Make Your Estimates Better 

Is your pest company’s proposal template as engaging and informative as possible? Updating and modernizing your estimates could help you win more business. Here are some tips to improve your template. 

1. Add Your Branding 

At a minimum, estimates should include your logo prominently and clearly. You can also incorporate other branding elements with colors and fonts throughout the template. Being consistent with your brand in any communication is critical to others interpreting your company as legitimate and credible. 

RELATED ARTICLE: Pest Control Branding  

2.  Explain Your Services  

Elaborating on the scope of work is essential to customers’ understanding of what they will get from your company. Some information to include here would be the date(s) of service, duration of the activities, what areas you’ll cover, and the types of pests it will control. 

3. Detail the Costs of Each Job Component  

Many customers appreciate a breakdown of costs. A proposal with one final cost can be confusing. For each group of services, you should label its cost. Common categories include material, labor, and equipment costs.  

If you have any other fees outside of these, note those too. An estimate isn’t the final bill, but it should be as accurate as possible so there are no surprises after you complete the job. 

4. Make It Easy to Read and Understand 

Someone receiving your estimate isn’t an expert in pest services, so the language you use and how technical it is matters. Consumers may find it off-putting if it’s jargony. Consider the proposal from the perspective of a customer. 

5. Explain the Terms 

Each proposal you send should note how long it’s good for, which can range depending on the type of service. Also include disclaimers about terms and conditions, chemical usage warnings, and payment schedules. 

6. End With Action Items 

Customers should know what steps they should take after reviewing the proposal. You can list the options, such as accepting the estimate, requests to revise it, or how they can reach out to you for questions.  

Adding action items can speed up closing the sale and booking the job. 

Pest Control Estimate Download 

Now that you know more about developing a better pest control estimate, you can thoroughly review your current one. Consider the layout, information provided, how well it represents your brand, and how easy it is to generate for users.  

In this assessment, you’ll find things you’re doing well and gaps in the process. 

You can also download this free pest control estimate template that represents all the best practices discussed. Get it today to see how it can improve your proposal and sales operations.