Special offer

Do you give free estimates?

By
Home Builder with Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 CSL#642819

 

Do you give free estimates?

 

Absolutely!

In my 25 years as a General Contractor, I have never charged for an estimate. I have heard that some contractors charge a fee for their efforts, sounds kind of silly to me. If someone is thinking about doing some work around the house, or taking care of some repairs that need to be done, I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to bid. If the contractor isn’t getting enough work to justify giving free estimates, maybe they need to check how they do things.

Free estimate

 

There is a catch, I don’t always bid on every call that I receive.

 

contractor QR CodeIt doesn’t always make sense spending time running around and bidding on everything – Work would never get done! Last month I got a call from a woman who had three small trim boards that had dry rot. She lives an hour away! Even if I got the job, I’d be driving 4 hours total to put up $10 worth of wood. The cost of gas alone would be more than she would be willing to pay. But these jobs are the exception.

If you are interested in getting a free estimate from a General Contractor in the Sacramento area, call

Tromler Construction

916-765-5366

 

 

Peg Barcelo
Fluff My House! Home Staging Inc. 250.486.6369 - Summerland, BC
The FlufftasticStager from Summerland, BC

Good plan, Tom. To drive that far for so little isn't worth it. It's good to know you are busy enough, but not desperate!

May 30, 2012 05:40 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Never been charged for an estimate in my life, good policy Tom............pays off in the end too, I'm sure.  Smart catch too!

May 30, 2012 07:08 PM
David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct
Good to see you are keeping busy, it's been rough on the east coast for construction.
May 30, 2012 08:33 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Great approach.  Our estimates are free too and some of my competition charges $35.  They then say they put it towards the cost of the job and I feel this puts pressure for the person to decide and I just don't think that is right.

May 30, 2012 08:35 PM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Nice to know you give estimates Tom. Seems only natural to know up front what a job will cost. Can totally understand you can't take every job if they are like your example. It has to make business sense.

May 30, 2012 11:08 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

There are other examples besides financial Peg. "It's probably something that we can't afford right now, but I just wanted to see how much it would cost", Really?

May 30, 2012 11:20 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

We all have to draw the line somewhere Roger. A local handyman may be able to help them out.

May 30, 2012 11:21 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

That's what I've heard David, hope things turn around soon.

May 30, 2012 11:21 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

 

I wonder how the contractor would feel about paying the homowner up front, but getting the money back if they got the job Debbie?

 

:)

May 30, 2012 11:26 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Some jobs may be too dangerous, too hostile, or unsafe. Sometimes it just makes sense not to get involved at all Al & Peggy.

May 30, 2012 11:26 PM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

HI Tom,

 

Good to know that you choose to design your work to fit your priorities...and good advice for others...

May 30, 2012 11:41 PM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Excellent and yes sir I do free CMA's for anyone that contacts me!

May 31, 2012 08:22 AM
Sheila Newton Team Anderson & Greenville SC
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - C. Dan Joyner - Anderson, SC
Selling the Upstate since 1989

I have several vendors that DO charge for bids..If they get the job, they deduct it but it still is hard to explain to a client why the vendor is charging... of course, so many banks and sellers now want a bid to know what is wrong with a property but they have not intention of repairing the property.. the contractors have gotten wise to that I guess.. It is good that you do it for free.. I still think that is a better policy.. and if you can't, then like you said, just decline it!

May 31, 2012 01:28 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Thanks janeAnne, we have to make some tough choices sometimes.

May 31, 2012 03:07 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

You are providing a very valuable service to the people of Albuquerque John.

May 31, 2012 03:08 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Sheila, It was because of this very thing that I started getting more choosey about giving estimates. Contractors were asked for estimates with absolutely no intention of doing the work. We even get this from homeowners too.

May 31, 2012 03:08 PM