Pre-Purchase Removal / Pruning Estimate Policy

[M.D. Vaden]

Just curious how other companies deal with real estate related estimates. More so just to get some ideas out. My policy is already set. Another call came in today - one of several since January.

One type is a buyer wanting one or more estimates for a house they are looking at or have a down payment on. The other is the seller wanting the improvement done now - unless they are curious about price. Due to not hearing back from various folks in the past or collapsed real estate deals, I limit estimates to owners only.

I won't schedule anymore unless it's the owner who calls. If they are gathering estimates to arrive at some other decision, that's using an estimate as consultation.

What works in your area for you?

 

[LTREES]

I have a Real Estate agent that just calls and says give me a price at 123 Main St. Then he says ok, I always treat him right and I'm the only bidder. People around here trust him to get their property ready to sell. If it costs 1 or 2 G to get the better price, so be it. Very nice deal.

LT...

 

[jmack]

wow thats great md that limit my gas and yap time to a min thanks

 

[treeseer]

I have a Real Estate agent that just calls and says give me a price at 123 Main St. Then he says ok, I always treat him right and I'm the only bidder. People around here trust him to get their property ready to sell. If it costs 1 or 2 G to get the better price, so be it. Very nice deal.

Sounds like you have a good relationship in a defined market with an RE agent who knows how to sell tree value. Great work, and a great example to follow!

When buyers call yes getting sucked into the free estimate trap is usually a waste. They should pay for a consultation. Also sellers who have never cared for their trees often want info more than they want work, so they should pay for your time too.

Learning diagnosis and risk assessment and buying and knowing reference material can pay off very well when you can sell consultations instead of chasing a lot of free estimates that don't yield paying work.

 

[alanarbor]

I got stung a few times early on, but now, unless I am contacted by the owner, or the seller's agent. I charge consulting time for it.

I actually have done a few like a home inspector, but I'm evaluating the landscape.

 

[LTREES]

I agree that I would not spend alot of time with a non-HO. How do you charge for an est.? I think in my area they would say see ya later. Too many chippers here. I also do not advertise, I work from word of mouth. They call me and say John Doe told me to call you for tree work. I'll get @ 85% of the calls. I don't even bother with the tire kicker that looks in the phone book. Time is money, money is time. I'm not knocking ads. I just am not that big of an operation. I know this year is going to be tough for everyone, however I can stay dormant for a while due to I own all the equip. Tis the season for calls though, everyone is getting their income tax returns and it is burning a hole in their pocket.

LT...

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I got stung a few times early on, but now, unless I am contacted by the owner, or the seller's agent. I charge consulting time for it.

I actually have done a few like a home inspector, but I'm evaluating the landscape.

This is how I do it. I will only go to the property as a consultation, and will look at everything there. Then I will give a range of expected cost for treatment in our market.

 

[Toddppm]

Consultation charge minimum. Funny how they act slightly insulted. The last one a couple weeks ago said his home inspector told him a big tree near the house should come down? He wouldn't pay. Could have been a good job but why worry about it now? That's right, to try and get a lower price from the seller.........

 

[jefflovstrom]

We are fortunate not to advertise in the way a HO would call. Basically, we do not do resedential work unless they are in the HOA we are caring for. Then it is not a bid, we give them a price and a fair one and do it. If they are shopping for a lower bid, I give them the name of one of my guys to do on the weekend.
Jeff