As a contractor, is there ever a time when you won’t provide a free estimate?
15 Likes
We provide free estimates for any size job either during or after initial in home or business consultation for work and project(s) discussed.
I provide free estimates for all proseptive job projects.
The only exception to this policy is when a customer tells me that the purpose of the estimate is for comparison purposes only i.e. the customer needs competivie bids for Insurance purposes. In this case, I charge a small fee, based on the scope of the work, to provide a competitive bid.
I hope this helps!
If the rep doesn’t have to travel more than 10 miles from the office is fair.
It’s always OK to ask. Every contractor has a policy, and they won’t be bashful about telling you what it is.
Contractors often use a fee to “qualify” a prospective customer. The fee almost never covers the expenses of the visit and the administrative work to create an estimate, but it separates the “possibles” from the “just thinking about it” types, or from the folks who just want a price check on a bid from another contractor. Roofers, painters, and contractors in other price-competitive sectors use fees more often than custom remodeling and general contractors.
Homeowners should also understand the limitations of the free estimate. A free estimate is part of my sales process - its purpose is to start the discussion that ends with me doing a project. So even though I provide free estimates, I won’t estimate every project. In my initial phone calls, I qualify prospective customers by asking questions about their budget, their schedule, how many other contractors they’ve contacted, and so on. If it’s apparent that I’m not the right contractor for them, or they’re not the right customer for me, I thank them for their call and tell them I won’t be able to do the work for them. Most homeowners understand this.
One of the biggest sticking points with customers and the free estimate is the amount of detail that customers expect in a free estimate. Customers often ask for a detailed breakdown by item, separating materials and labor costs. Most experienced contractors - including me - won’t provide this information. That breakdown is the first part of a project plan, and it is a valuable document - for a kitchen remodel, it might represent $500-$1000 worth of work, and it might be worth much more than that to another contractor who doesn’t have the knowledge or experience to plan the project without the help of my breakdown. I sometimes ask why the owner wants the breakdown, and the answer is often that another contractor has asked for it.
What a homeowner should expect in a free estimate is a total price and a schedule of work - a description of the materials, methods, and time schedule. When the estimate is a firm price offer, the schedule of work should be more detailed.
So, go ahead and ask for the free estimate - there’s no harm in asking, and the response will depend on the contractor.
- Bob
All the time. Keep in mind the job must be within a resonable distance of the main office for the estimate to be free.
I always list my estimates as free as long as it is in range with my area, such as all of South Jersey and Central New Jersey. If I recieve a call for an estimate in North Jersey I will usually decline the offer with much appriciation of the potential customer for taking the time to call. Point is that it’s always ok to ask for a free estimate in my opinion, as long as its within “your” jurisdiction of work!
Free estimates are part of this business but as in anything you should consider the time and effort that’s goes into creating bids and make sure you respect that Contractors time by following up with them wether you choose them or not. This care should always be given to both parties.
I think a customer should be able to request an estimate so long as they are serious about getting the work done, it is in the customer best interest to receive no less than three estimates for any job and would not hurt to get a fourth or even a fifth for larger projects such as room additions and complete remodels.
Times when it is not ok for a customer to receive a free estimate is when they are using it for the sole purpose to bid against someone so that they can negotiate a cheaper price. We as contractors spend our time to drive to each appointment (sometimes up to 50 miles) offer our advice on what we think are the best options, and when that time is taken advantage of it is not fair to the company and person giving the estimate.
Its hard to know sometime when a customer is only using you for a quote, usually when they ask for a “formal quote” is when you need to be weary.
No, estimating is the most important part of sales. Even if you miss out on the job, you’re remembered by what you didn’t do.
On most any larger job. For the small jobs, a free in home estimate is just too costly for the contractor.
As a pool contractor all new construction or renovation estimastes are free. It is a built in cost of doing business. As a service company if a pool has a leak or a repair there is always a diagnostic fee or trip charge that is paid up front and an estimate for repair is given, if they use us for the repair the the fee is waived and the cost of the diagnosis is built in to the flat rate repair price.
Sure…
Free verbal estimates.
Any job requiring significant detail may require indepth calculations & additional time. Written estimates also require staff time & attention.
In that case, we inform the customer up front of the written estimate cost & then we will deduct that charge from the invoice.
Our customers have always felt that to be a fair way of doing honest, reliable & quality work.
Me personally would never pay for an estimate, so I do not charge to give someone an estimate. It is part of being in business.
It’s okay to ask for a free estimate at anytime, 24/7!
http://www.buildzoom.com/contractor/protection-1-energy-security-solutionsVery rarely unless it is outside a 100 mile radius. Some time small jobs seem like a waste of time but often lead to bigger opportunities.
I have never charged for a estimate, customer service is what I have built my company around. I find the estimate process critical to the relationship I build with customers. You will spend a lot of time with the contractor you select. You need to be able to trust your contractor and know they have your best interest in mind. You can have a contractor that’s work is second to none but if you don’t get along you will regret ever starting your project.
It is always ok to ask for a free estimate. Many contractors provide free estimates as a normal part of their business practices. There may be certain situations where it won’t be possible, but most of the time you won’t have to worry about a cost.
We Give Free Estimates any time…
We always provide free estimates. More often than not if it is a smaller job we wind up doing it right there on the spot. You’d be surprised how often a homeowner will hire you because they like you. Putting yourself in front of customers with free estimates is invaluable.