You’re not short on skill. You’re short on time. The fastest way to win better jobs is to stop chasing the wrong ones. Here’s a plain, field‑tested pre‑qualification system you can run on every new inquiry in under 15 minutes—plus scripts and templates you can copy today.

No big theory. Just the questions to ask, the red flags to spot, quick VAT checks for France, and how to capture it all so your quote is tight and your cash flow doesn’t get hit.

The 3‑Minute Phone Screen (use this script)

Keep it friendly and straight. You’re just finding out if it’s worth a site visit.

"Hi, it’s [Your Name], electrician/plumber/painter. Tell me in two minutes what you want done."

1) Scope
- "Which room(s), roughly how many m²? Any photos you can text me?"
- "Any materials chosen yet?"

2) Timing
- "When do you want this finished? Any hard deadline (move‑in, baby, rental)?"

3) Decision & Budget
- "Who decides and signs?"
- "Ballpark budget so I steer you right?"

4) Property & VAT (France)
- "Property over 2 years old? Energy upgrades involved?"

5) Next Step
- "If the budget range fits, I can visit [day/time]. After the visit I send a clear proposal and timeline. Sound good?"

Take quick notes. If it’s already way off (budget, deadline, scope), you can bow out politely and save yourself a free half‑day.

Red Flags That Save Your Week

• “We need it tomorrow” with a tiny budget
• “Three brothers‑in‑law are helping” but they want your guarantee
• “I’ll choose finishings later” with a fixed date and no contingency
• “Can you do cash?” while asking for a full invoice for insurance
• Price shopping only: “Just send your best price” without scope clarity

When you hear two or more, you’re likely heading for late nights and late payments. Step back or set strict conditions.

Quick VAT Check (France)

Getting VAT wrong hurts your margin and your credibility. Confirm it up front:

• 10% VAT: most renovation in homes older than 2 years
• 5.5% VAT: energy efficiency works (insulation, windows meeting specs, certain boilers)
• 20% VAT: new construction, extensions treated as new, or non‑eligible works

Ask:

• Age of property (over 2 years?)
• Energy improvement items planned?
• Will they need paperwork (client attestation, if applicable) to support reduced rates?

Note your assumption on the quote (e.g., “Pricing assumes 10% VAT—property >2 years”). If it turns out to be 20%, you’ve warned them.

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Try this inside Donizo

Set up a simple flow so every lead gets handled the same way:

• Create a lead and drop your call notes (voice or text)
• Use AI voice to draft a first pass quote while the call is fresh
• Pick the correct VAT per line (20%, 10%, 5.5%)—Donizo totals it right
• Save one “Pre‑visit checklist” template to reuse on every job

Five minutes now prevents three rounds of re‑quotes later.

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Budget Reality Check (ballparks you can say out loud)

You’re not promising. You’re anchoring. Give a range so nobody wastes time.

• Electrical panel upgrade (small flat): 700–1,200 € HT
• Bathroom refresh (keep layout): 8,000–15,000 € HT materials+labor
• Painter, proper prep, walls/ceilings: 12–20 € HT/m² surface
• Heat‑pump swap (eligible models): varies widely; warn about 5.5% VAT checks

If they say “Our full budget is 5k” for a 12k bathroom, you’ve got a mismatch. Either re‑scope (phase it, change finishes) or walk.

Decision and Timing: lock it down early

Ask these every time:

• Who signs the quote and pays the deposit? One person or a couple?
• Access: keys, elevator, noisy hours, neighbours?
• Constraints: co‑op rules, heritage area, plumbing stack hours?
• Must‑hit date: move‑in, tenant arrival, rental listing?

Write the constraints into the proposal. Vague promises become clear approvals.

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Turn your summary into a clean proposal with Donizo

• Convert your call notes into a professional proposal
• Add staged timelines and simple status tags
• Send and track opens; use built‑in follow‑ups so you’re not chasing in WhatsApp
• When accepted, one click to invoice with the right VAT

You look organised, and clients stop “forgetting” to reply.

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Send a Written Summary After the Call (steal this)

Lock the facts before you burn hours on a site visit.

Subject: Summary + next step – [Your Trade] – [Street/Client]

Hello [Name],
Here’s what I noted:
- Scope: [rooms/items]
- Timing target: [date]
- Decision maker(s): [name]
- Budget range discussed: [€ range]
- VAT assumption: [10% / 5.5% / 20%]

Next step: site visit on [date/time]. If the range fits, I’ll send a clear proposal 24–48h after.

If anything above is off, reply here so I adjust before visiting.
Thanks,
[Signature]

If they ghost after this, you saved yourself a trip.

Score the Lead in 90 Seconds

Keep it simple. 0–5 on each: Fit, Budget, Timing, Decision, Compliance (VAT/paperwork). 20+ is solid.

Lead Score = Fit + Budget + Timing + Decision + Compliance

Fit (0–5): scope you do well? access ok?
Budget (0–5): aligned with ranges?
Timing (0–5): realistic start/finish?
Decision (0–5): single clear signer?
Compliance (0–5): VAT/right docs likely?

Log the score. High scores get fast slots. Low scores get honest ranges and a polite no.

Site Visit Mini‑Checklist (15 minutes on site, not 90)

• Photos that show context (wide + detail)
• Measurements that matter (m², linear runs, ceiling height)
• Services and constraints (water shutoff, panel space, venting, stack)
• Surprises: damp, weak substrate, old wiring, weak plaster
• Neighbour/HOA rules: noisy hours, lift pads, waste removal

Add two options in your quote: base case + contingency line for the likely surprise. You’re not upselling; you’re staying honest.

How Donizo ties it together

• Capture calls and site notes (voice to text)
• Build quotes fast with AI, then fix the few lines that matter
• Correct VAT per line, always
• Send proposals, track opens, and auto‑follow up
• Turn to invoices when accepted; track who still owes what
• See project status at a glance so nothing slips

When the admin is tight, your week is calmer, and the right clients respect your time.

Ready to stop burning hours on the wrong leads?

Run this checklist on your next three calls. Then put it on rails with Donizo. Less chasing, cleaner quotes, faster yeses.