Would like to put in my $0.02 worth, concerning your request for a sample of bid proposals.
I feel that it all depends on your customer and what type of work you are bidding?
We've have found that most of our customers who have a collage education request a written proposal, (commercial type of business), the retail type of business managers (people who have "come up through the ranks") which seam to have limited education, (high school and/or some collage) will accept a verbal quotes. Don’t know.
But, all want to know what your are going to do and how much it’s going to cost. Using a preprinted forms is very ease to fill in the blanks, and you can give it to them on the spot.
We have found that by submitting a proposal, you can also show that you have inspected there property, listed everything which need cleaned and why, show why you are charging higher prices that your competitor. Plus. you can submit a monthly cleaning schedule or anything else, this gives you a "IN" for repeat business. This also scares the heck out of your competitors.
Written proposals, "scare" most business owners that don’t have a collage english degree. Myself included, But, I have learned to write proposals, (got by in high school by >>> the English teacher, flunked out of collage because of my English) just write it down like you talk, And that’s good enough.
I can e-mail you a sample of a written proposal if you like.
J Prewitt