Short answer
Confirm occasion, who is eating, date, location and kitchen access, and budget band before you quote. Qualifying protects both sides.
After this lesson: You will run a short qualify on the first call so you only invest meeting time in real fits.
The five-minute qualify
You do not need an interrogation. You need enough to know whether to drive to their home and what kind of job this is.
Qualifying is service: you are making sure you can actually help before anyone wastes a Saturday.
What is really happening
A number without scope is a guess. Guesses create angry clients when the guess was wrong.
Why this works
When you confirm basics on the call, the in-home meeting starts ahead. You are listening for fit, not discovering you do not do drop-off catering after you have already mentally quoted.
What to ask
What are you planning, and for when?
Who will be eating, and can they be at the meeting?
Where is the kitchen, and is it workable for what you envision?
Have they hired a personal chef before, or are they comparing caterers?
What budget band are they trying to stay inside, even roughly?
- Use the first-call qualify checklist.
- Book the meeting when answers point to a fit.
- Release early when category, location, or budget are clearly wrong.
- Save detailed menu talk for in person.
Lines to use
Help me understand what you are planning so I can make sure I am the right fit before we set a time to meet.
What budget range are you hoping to land in? That helps me propose the right scope.
FAQ
- Won't budget questions scare them off?
- Ask with respect. Most buyers know a rough range. It saves you from proposing a five-course plated dinner to a buffet budget.
- When should I walk away on the call?
- Wrong geography, wants only drop-off when you cook in-home, or refuses to meet anyone who eats. Thank them and move on.
- Should I quote a range on the call?
- A wide range can work if they push. Better: meet first, then quote from real scope.
- Does this apply to paid inquiries?
- Especially. Speed to call matters, but so does releasing bad fits early so you spend time on buyers who can close.
Related: Respond fast to inquiries