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Can you give me a “ballpark” estimate of the cost to repair?

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

 

 Can you give me a “ballpark” estimate of the cost to repair? 

 

Yes, I can give you a “ballpark” dry rot estimate, but it will likely be flawed.

baseball ballparkIt has been my experience that this only works out after we have worked together for a while. It takes a while to get to know what you mean by “a little bit”, “not too bad”, “a long time” and all the other descriptions that we have. Your definition and my definition may be worlds apart, if we have worked together for a while, we can come to a better understanding of these words.

Your idea of the extent of the dry rot will likely be different than what I understand you are telling me. Despite my best efforts to understand the damage repair, it will be my interpretation of your description. So based on this, I will give you a “ballpark” cost of repair.

 

After you get the rough estimate, there are three possible responses.

The estimate is too high, and you choose not to hire me. The deal ends before I even get a chance to see the project.

The estimate is too low; you want to get started right away. But later you are upset because the job is much bigger than anticipated in the ballpark number.

The estimate is right on the money. You hire me, I do the work, and everyone is happy. This, unfortunately, is the exception. A rough estimate rarely works out.

 

That is why it is best for the contractor to come out and see the work to give a more accurate estimate of the cost to repair the dry rot or water damage. This may take some additional time, but the Free Estimate is worth it.

Do you need a “ballpark” estimate? Give us a call.

Tromler Construction

916-765-5366

(We will probably try to convince you to get the free estimate.)

Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

You are right to keep bringing this stuff back to relationship Tom.  And what is the point of a ball-park estimate?  It will simply get changed anyway.  But you GQ guys probably always get the work anyway...

Jun 01, 2012 10:53 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

I always say "No, but I can give you the name of someone who can!"  :))) 

Jun 02, 2012 01:47 AM
MaryKay Shumway
The Kellstrom Ray Agency, Inc. (Est. 1948) - Sister Bay, WI
Door County Wisconsin's Real Estate Expert

I liked this.  I can't give a ballpark anything, but it reminds me to be careful to remember to ask the experts!

Jun 02, 2012 02:14 AM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Tom, the picture tells the whole story, there's so many variables in giving a price opinion. Good post. 

Jun 02, 2012 03:10 AM
Rob Lang
At Home Kansas - Shawnee, KS
Local Expert in NE Central Kansas Real Estate Home

Agreed!  If it's a free estimate, why not go with that since it won't cost them anything anyway?

Jun 02, 2012 03:50 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Hi Tom, great post. And you point out quite well how significant that quote might be.             

Jun 02, 2012 03:51 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730
As an agent I even get asked all the time what some repair will cost. I guess we are just looked at as the specialist that should know everything.
Jun 02, 2012 11:06 AM
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 is part of the problem, people will hold on to that figure if they like what they hear Sheila.

 
Jun 02, 2012 11:11 AM
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 think you know what I'm experiencing Scott.

Jun 02, 2012 11:11 AM
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've never been called a GQ guy Jay. Thanks... I think.

:)

Jun 02, 2012 11:11 AM
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

Are you giving out my number Joni?

That explains it!

Jun 02, 2012 11:15 AM
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

Make sure the experts are able to look at the job though MaryKay.

Jun 02, 2012 11:15 AM
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 always variables, many go away if I can see the job personally Adrian.

Jun 02, 2012 11:15 AM
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

Maybe the customer feels that it is an inconvenience Rob.

Jun 02, 2012 11:15 AM
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

True Sandy, they are asking for a reason. They will be basing some sort of decision when the number comes out.

Jun 02, 2012 11:16 AM
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 love dry rot repair Erica!

Tell me you called another contractor!

Jun 02, 2012 11:16 AM
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've gotten calls from buyers who were told that it would cost x dollars to repair, sometimes the numbers are nowhere near what it will cost to repair. That make things real uncomfortable Debbie.

Jun 02, 2012 11:16 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I thought I saw you before on the cover of GQ.  Maybe not.  For sure on the cover of Cosmo!  Should I have said "you Cosmo guys?"

You'll love my posts today and tomorrow.

Jun 02, 2012 07:52 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 will be checking them out Jay.

 

In the mean time, I'll have to contact GQ, maybe they are looking for me?

:) 

Jun 03, 2012 02:39 AM
Frank Iglesias
Working With Houses, LLC - Atlanta Real Estate Investments - Lawrenceville, GA
Atlanta, GA Real Estate Investor

This is such a crazy field.  As a home renovator, it is amazing the quotes I get and we even talk the same contractor language.  Getting multiple bids from a clients scope of work keeps things in check so that apples are compared to apples.  Always interesting!

Jun 03, 2012 11:47 AM