Be Smart About What You Ask: Why “Small, Medium, Large” Beats Exact Measurements (Most of the Time)

Let’s get this straight.

Asking for exact measurements in your pricing estimator isn’t always bad.

If you’re asking something people already know — like the square footage of their home, or the number of windows they have — that’s totally fine.
They can answer that off the top of their head.

But here’s where things fall apart…

If you ask for fiddly details — like the exact width of a window recess, or the precise length of a patio — while someone’s sitting in a café scrolling their phone…
You’ve just lost them.

They’re not getting up to measure.
They’re not guessing.
They’re leaving.

The Simple Fix: Give Them Easy Choices

For those “I-don’t-know-and-I’m-not-measuring” moments, ask questions like this:

• “Roughly how big is the area you want to cover?”
  
  • Small (fits a car)
    
  • Medium (patio set space)
    
  • Large (most of the garden)
    

Or:

• “How big is your shower area?”
  
  • Small (1 person)
    
  • Medium (1-2 people)
    
  • Large (walk-in)
    

It’s quick.
It’s relatable.
And people can answer without thinking too hard.

Why This Matters:

1. You keep the conversation going.
   No friction. More completions.
   
   
2. You give them a price range.
   That’s what they came for in the first place.
   
   
3. You build trust.
   Because you’re meeting them where they are — literally.
   

When Is It OK to Ask for Exact Numbers?

✅ When it’s a number they probably already know.

• Home size in square feet
  
• Number of rooms
  
• Number of windows or doors
  

✅ When it’s part of their research journey and they’re happy to dig deeper.

But as a rule of thumb:
If they can’t guess it, don’t ask it (yet).

Final Thought

Every question in your estimator should pass this test:

“Could someone answer this while sipping a coffee in a café?”

If the answer is yes, you’re golden.
If not, simplify it.