Who charges for estimates?

[Tree Trimmer]

With the increases in fuel costs, and a very busy schedule, I decided to start charging at least $20 for estimates. One customer was insulted by the notion of having to pay for an estimate. I explained that it would cost a minimum of $8 in fuel and likely take up to an hour of my time. He persisted that it was unreasonable to have to pay for one of the "many" estimates he was getting. I just explained that my Professional assesment of his tree care was not something that I could afford to give away any longer. "No one else is charging for thier estimates" he exclaimed.

In the end he'll hire one of the many companies who's motto is "It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission" and they'll tear his yard to shreds. Most likely he'll also pay quite a bit more than if he'd hired someone who actually cares for trees more than how much they think he'll pay...

What do you think about charging a nominal fee for a written estimate?

TT

 

[vharrison2]

I don't think it would fly in these parts.

 

[fwf]

What do you think about charging a nominal fee for a written estimate?

TT

It's a bad idea that will cost you many times what you gain. Simply put, it is a cost of doing business and should be absorbed along with other business costs. Asking the customer to pay for the privilege of offering you a job is poor form.

Then again, that's just my opinion. If you can get away with it, good on you.

 

[fwf]

By the way, you have already found some people are offended by this. What is the damage to your reputation when they start spreading the word about your practice with stories that begin, "You aren't going to believe this..."

 

[treeman82]

The only way I could see it being semi-reasonable to ask for $ for an estimate would be if you had to drive a LONG way to look at the job. That, or if you had to do some leg work in order to come up with the final estimate, ie; soil tests, contacting many people in order to find a certain item which the potential client specifically wants, etc.

 

[begleytree]

Or charge the $20, and knock it off the estimate if they have you do the work.
-Ralph

 

[Stumper]

Bidding IS a cost of doing business. Those costs, when pointed out, help explain why the minimum charge is $45 even if it only takes 5minutes or the cost was $500 and it "only" took a few hours. Returning phone calls, bidding, travel time and basic maintenance of equipment adds about 3 hours for every 6 hours of "on the job" time. What I have some difficulty with is giving away consultations. Many free estimates cross over into consults-That is a tough line to draw, but I find that most people have no problem with being billed for a straight consultation. I only charge for the time consuming ones where no service work is going to be involved right away. I don't anticipate ever charging for estimates-I expect free estimates on projects that I want to hire done and think that if I want other peoples' custom I had better go after it.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Only for insurance bids.

 

[Tree Trimmer]

Or charge the $20, and knock it off the estimate if they have you do the work.
-Ralph

I should have mentioned that I do apply any estimate or cosultation fees to the work I secure. It's the low-ball seekers that usually get weeded out around here. I know one local company that only does bids on Thursdays. One of the three owners will go out for the day and do whatever is arranged by their secretary. Works for them, but even they have a hard time fitting bids into their schedule.

As far as reputation, I don't advertise. Most of the work I get is by "word of mouth" or repeat business. I'll even get a haggler every now and then who wants me to meet some one else's price, but I don't bid for beer money. Besides, I can't recall a haggler not being happy with the work we do in the end. Clean up around here is a huge factor in your acquiring a good reputation.

TT

 

[Menchhofer]

With the rising costs of fuel prices, I could see charging for estimates. However, I do not think it would work around here either. Consultations are a different story though.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Like Justin already said, it's the cost of doing business. Period.

 

[Tree Wizard]

If we have worked for you in the past 5 years we do not charge for estimates or diagnostics. If we haven't worked for you in the past 5 years, but worked for you previously, we do not charge for pruning or removal estimates but we do charge a non-refundable diagnostic fee for "What's wrong with my tree?" This would generally be disease, insects or environmental problems. If we have never worked for you we do not charge for pruning estimates but we do charge a non-refundable fee for removal estimates and diagnostic services.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

We require a $15 credit card charge before our answering machine will start recording, then, $150 will get a salesman to the door. Upon arrival, he will ask for ask for another $150. None of this is refundable, unless you pay the "opt out" charge of $150.
I don't know for sure what will happen if we actually land a job, but it won't be cheap.

 

[MasterBlaster]

 

[Ax-man]

If the client is serious about hiring a true professional and has a concern for their trees and property, they will not mind paying for a token estimate fee. It is the price shopping removal crowd who will balk at paying for an estimate, this type of customer is usally a one time deal anyway, no prospect for repeat work. This crowd usally has dead trees, neglected trees or is just a plain tree hater and is tired of the mess, they don't care if the people they hire is qualified or not, all that matters is the price.

Larry

 

[fwf]

If the client is serious about hiring a true professional and has a concern for their trees and property, they will not mind paying for a token estimate fee.
Larry

Totally disagree. That's a gross generalization which I don't think is valid.

Unless other arborists in the area are charging for estimates, and I have no reason to think you are any better than anyone else, why would I pay for the privilege to get a price?



Geesh, even lawyers often offer a free initial consultation.

 

[MasterBlaster]

He's got ya there!

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Most people are ignorant about trees and tree work, even, and sometimes especially those who do tree work.
Some very rich and nice folks don't have a clue. The $150 salesman we send over can steer them into taking care of their assets, even if it is a half dead, leaning toward the house, cottonwood.

 

[begleytree]

Try to get a free estimate from a heating and AC company.

My Father in law owns a heating an cooling company, He still gives free estimates.

This hints towards a question I have, but I think I need to start another thread for it.

-Ralph

 

[DDM]

Hmmmmm How about Free verbal Estimate but a 30.00 Written one? Especially after a storm because most of them will Send the written in to there insurance company then Clean it up themselves. :blob5: