Written estimates can look completely different from one piano technician to another. My written estimates were made out of a small general purpose book, bought from a stationary store, with my name stamped on each page. Recently, I looked at several pianos for repairs at a college. Before I handed in my estimate, the man I was dealing with showed me another company's estimate, which made mine look like garbage. Their estimate was much higher priced than mine, but it looked so nice, it seemed they had a much better chance at getting the job.

I told the man that I would write another one, and send it to him. Luckily for me, he was just a middle manager and didn't have the authority to make the decision. When I got home, I tried to make the new estimate look just as good as the one I saw. First, I made company stationary with a picture on it, using my computer. Then I typed it all out with columns, listing the location of the pianos, piano brands, serial and model numbers, etc. I got a color folder, pasted the school name on the front, and made it like a booklet. So far, neither of us has gotten the job yet, but the middle manager I was dealing with said that he thinks I'm going to get the job.