58% reduction in quoting time for a carpentry shop in Radom
We implemented a simple online calculation system, thanks to which the owner stopped spending evenings manually calculating quotes.
Mr. Adam, the owner of the Drew-Styl carpentry shop, spent an average of 14 hours a week just calculating boards, glue, and man-hours for quotes. His family mostly saw him at his laptop, and customers waited up to 8 days for a wardrobe quote.
The challenge
The company employs 8 skilled carpenters, but the sales process was stuck in the 90s. Adam used an old Excel spreadsheet that had 16 tabs and a mass of incorrect formulas. In March 2024, the workshop had a backlog of 19 quotes, which blocked advance payments amounting to approximately 43,000 PLN. A single error in calculating the price of oak cost the company 1,400 PLN in losses on just one kitchen order.
Our approach
We sent 2 of our consultants to the carpentry shop, who observed the work on the shop floor on Warszawska Street for 4 days. We mapped 43 of the most common operations — from board cutting to hinge installation. Instead of buying expensive software that would require an annual subscription, we opted for a simple tool based on a database of current prices from timber wholesalers in Radom.
The solution
We built a cost calculator that works on tablets and phones. After measuring at the customer's site, the employee clicks on the appropriate materials and enters the dimensions. The system automatically adds a 21% margin and transport costs within the Radom district. The completed PDF quote is generated in 6 minutes and sent to Adam for approval, who can then send it with one click from his phone.
Results
Adam regained nearly two working days each week that he previously wasted on bureaucracy. The carpentry shop now takes on 3-4 more orders per month because customers receive quotes on the same day instead of a week later.
Timeline
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March 12, 2024Analysis of 43 production processes and material costs
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April 2, 2024Launch of a test price database from 3 wholesalers
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April 15, 2024Training of 3 employees in using tablets during assembly
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May 10, 2024Full system implementation and phasing out Excel
"I thought that with my custom wardrobes, nothing could be automated. I was wrong. Now I create quotes in front of the customer, and I have my evenings for my children instead of counting linear meters of edging."