Charging for estimates?

[UrbanEarth]

After reading T.D. Kasulinous' post about lowballers, I had a thought about charging for estimates. Does anyone do this? Does it work? Has anyone tried it?
Alan

 

[Timothy Kasulin]

I have thought about that too. In some cases when people call and the first thing out of there mouth is" do you do free estimates" Ive come back with the line " only for serious inquiries" S ometimesa people think your rude but alot of times it helps screen out the bargain hunter. If something like that is the firsty thing out of there mouth that helps tell you what they are looking for. Hopefully this helps but I would definately look for some more input

 

[Eric E.]

I tell people my policy is free estimate if we are just pricing a few trees for work. If i am going out to "look at my trees" that would probably be consultation which is $60 per hour including travel. If we do the recommended work than I may that the cost of consultation off the final bill.

If the estimate is for storm damage, etc it is a charge. I did too many estimates that go turned in to the insurance company and someone other than me got the money.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

It depends on the work load and travel time too.

I know a few who do the fee that can be applyed to the work bill. They explain it as ernest money. One uses the story about having the competition price off his bid.

 

[underwor]

Most of my work now is referrals, people calling up and saying they want the work done, don't ask about price, or if they do just so they can have cash on hand. I tell groupes that I talk to that they should be getting advice from a professional as to whether the work needs to be done or not. If they ask a doctor for advice, they pay. Very few would go to a doctor who only charges if he cuts something off. They shouldn't send their trees to one like that.

An in reality, how many "free estimates" resulted in a conclusion that nothing was needed?

Bob Underwood

 

[Treebeard]

I charge for some estimates. Here in New Mexico we have a lot of folks getting estimates for FEMA funding to remove trees for fire prevention. They have to get a hald dozen & then FEMA picks. I did a few for free but the work never follows, sometimes from what I've seen, never gets done period. I charge $25 bucks & tell folks I'll take it of the contract if I get the job. I think I'd also charge for estimates that require me to travel more than sya 50 miles from home.