Free Estimates?

Noah

Kinda the same line, but what do you feel is the most effective strategy for getting the most jobs with minimum wasted time. I personally do free estimates, and I'd say 10% never call back and I have lived with that. I've had other companies say the same thing you just said, minimum charge for estimates, to be credited to the job(if you get it). What is the best choice?

silvertree

This topic comes around now and then, and it's a good topic.
I charge for estimates much of the time. After qualifying the caller I decide whether to ask for an estimate charge. Better yet, a bid charge.
One guy calls it a trip charge, another guy calls it a service charge on and on.
A lot of us feel it's a slap in the face to ask a homeowner to pay for a bid.
Well that argument may have merit, but I think we should.
Some guys call it the cost of doing business, well part of being business owners is to cut overhead and make more money.
On other posts I agree with those that say no, and those that say charge.
Bottom line, I think we should charge a nominal fee for our time and xpertise.

KillerToiletSpider

We don't do work for homeowners, nor do we advertise or get random phone calls from people looking for a price, and we do not charge a GC for an estimate. We do charge them if the high rise the job is in requires a plan drawing to be submitted for plumbing rough before the job starts, Many HR's do, for that I charge a thousand dollars, which is not collected if the job is given to us, but is collected if another plumbing contractor gets the job.

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