free estimate withdrawal

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Rewire

Rewire

Senior Member
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Lake of the Ozarks
I deciced after much thought to start charging a 30 dollar trip charge for estimates. The first call was grounding a dock I told the HO that it would be 30 dollars to "come look" they said it was a small job so just come do it ,I thought gee I like this. The next call was to look at changing a service after the HO went through a long explanation of what they wanted done (I thought they were wanting to set a time up to just come do it) he said " what I want you to do is come out and tell me how much it is going to cost me" I then said it would be a 30 dollar trip charge that would be credited to the price. He sid he did not like that at all and he was a plumber for thirty years and never charged to come out for an estimate and he would just get someone else and hung up.What I felt next can only be discribed as free estimate withdrawal symptoms or FEWS,my mind was racing thinking I just threw away a job,my heart pounded I was sweating fighting the urge to redial the number.After a few minutes it passed and I realized this joker was fishing for the cheapest electrician he could find and all would have done is set the price for the other guy to go under.It is not easy breaking old habits but now is the time,thanks to all those who charge for giving me the kick in the pants to do it to.
 
On small jobs I always tell them it cost me more to come look then the job is worth. I would be happy to come do the job and give a phone estimate. It usually works out fine.
 
Rewire said:
I deciced after much thought to start charging a 30 dollar trip charge for estimates. The first call was grounding a dock I told the HO that it would be 30 dollars to "come look" they said it was a small job so just come do it ,I thought gee I like this. The next call was to look at changing a service after the HO went through a long explanation of what they wanted done (I thought they were wanting to set a time up to just come do it) he said " what I want you to do is come out and tell me how much it is going to cost me" I then said it would be a 30 dollar trip charge that would be credited to the price. He sid he did not like that at all and he was a plumber for thirty years and never charged to come out for an estimate and he would just get someone else and hung up.What I felt next can only be discribed as free estimate withdrawal symptoms or FEWS,my mind was racing thinking I just threw away a job,my heart pounded I was sweating fighting the urge to redial the number.After a few minutes it passed and I realized this joker was fishing for the cheapest electrician he could find and all would have done is set the price for the other guy to go under.It is not easy breaking old habits but now is the time,thanks to all those who charge for giving me the kick in the pants to do it to.
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I was a dummy for a long time, and thought the same way, "What I felt next can only be discribed as free estimate withdrawal symptoms or FEWS,my mind was racing thinking I just threw away a job,my heart pounded I was sweating fighting the urge to redial the number." as you said "It is not easy breaking old habits" only after loosing a good amount of money, did i get the picture, and changed the way i did business.
 
I just started using flat rate pricing this week, and I compared my prices of jobs that I have been doing for ten months and wow I have been taking a beating. Not any more. I charge a $75.00 consulting fee now and tell them that I will drop the fee if they decide to give me the Job. I have heard so many People say this " the one's shoping for prices are the ones you need to stay away from!'' So true. I have given many free estimates only to walk away with out the job, disgruntled feeling and a loss of time and less gas in my van!! Never Again
 
I have a situation that I dont know what I will do I went to price to jobs for one owner he paid the trip fee now he called and said to go ahead on one job but he wants to talk about the other I think I was high on one and low on the other and now he wants to shop.Both jobs could be done by the same crew in one day but bidding separately I had to bid as each job with its own crew and travel time so I could cut an hour off and still do them at a profit.
 
bth0mas20 said:
The price shopping Is why Service Magic never worked out for me. I learned that lesson.
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I used SM for one year. Looking back I can't believe I wasted all that time and money giving free estimates on bogus leads. STAY AWAY FROM SERVICE MAGIC!!
 
Im sold on the fee for estimates.

My question is, Is it illegal for a HO to get an estimate, show it to another EC and ask them to beat it? Or for an EC to ask HO to get a bid from others and he will match or beat it?

This is a problem I seem to be having with "buddies" of the EC and I think the fee would help stop this practice also.

It doesnt really benefit the HO so much as it does the Evil Contractor.
 
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