Charge it when you can
Charge it when you can
Well this has been a good thread, even if some of us . . . :wink:
But I have two things to say:
First- I make a definite distinction between an estimate and a quote, and I really can't tell how many others posting here do. I try to avoid estimates whenever possible, quoted jobs are so much simpler if and when we get them, no time or material to track, just do the work. And no stress for the customer about how much it will cost, a worker on the phone, whatever.
Secondly- For a long time, I have given "free" quotes, estimates, ballparks, whatever. The first time I told a caller that we charged a dispatch fee to look at a job (for a standby generator), he said ok. That felt good.
When I got there, I looked at the service, possible locations for the genset, and nameplates of equipment.
At the end of that walk through, I wrote the invoice for the dispatch fee ($50), wrote no charge for the gathering of information, and gave it to him. He wrote a check for the fifty I asked for.
My first thought was: "Wow, that's sure not much money!" At that moment I went from free quotes to charging at least something for that time, when I can. I wish it was longer ago than it was.
I'll give a free estimate, over the phone, based on responses from my questions. As I get my flat rate pricing better, my estimating gets better.:smile:
If a new resi cold call comes in now though, and they want me to come to the property, it is at least a dispatch fee, when possible.
