Tools of the trade: Using Google Maps to quote from your office
Window Quotes
from local window professionals
You'll rememberour blog about Google Maps, the free online map service. But two of the features ofGoogle Mapshave far more benefits for some tradespeople than just a simple map.
- Firstly, the satellite map. You can see an aerial view of an area and zoom in on specific houses.
- Second, Google Maps Streetview - where you can look up a specific street and look at the houses on it. You can zoom in and out, and approach the house from many different angles.
Combining the view of the house from an overhead satellite picture with a picture of the facade, there's even more you can tell about a house from the comfort of your office chair. So, quoting from home or your office sound good to you?
So, here goes with our Top 5 tips for trades using Google Maps to quote.
- Landscapers can check the gradient of the block, and look for side access for bigger machinery like dingoes
- Roofers can check what kind of roof it is, whether slate, tile or tin. Get a good idea of any ventilation or skylights by using Google Maps satellite image and viewing the house or apartment block from the top, and also use the scale to measure the roof area for quoting.
- Window replacement firms can view front windows style and dimensions to give a rough idea to a customer about price
- Because the images are not updated regularly, you can view a property as it was before a storm damage event and have a great idea of what the house should look like when finished.
- Insulation installers can check whether the roof is pitched or flat, and calculate the overall area.
Of course, there are loads of other ways that you can use Google Maps to improve efficiency in your business, and we'd love to hear about your successes. Email enquiries@servicecentral.com.au with your story to share!
To find out more about Google Maps and how to use it, check out Google's online guide here.
A couple of interesting facts about Google Maps
Google Maps Streetview South Africa was launched just in time for the FIFA World Cup kick off last week, but Streetview has been available in Australia since 2008. Last week a probe was launched into allegations that Google had been collecting private wi-fi data at the same time as they collected pictures for Streetview.
Window Quotes
from local window professionals
