Repair estimates: Is it common to be charged for onsite estimates?

[FarmerJohn]

I have a need for some pipe and equipment repairs. The 1st place I called (it had pretty decent reviews on Yelp) said at the start of the conversation that the estimate would be $135. It costs them money to send someone out and work up an estimate but that seems pretty high considering they had no idea what would be entailed. Am I just being cheap minded?

 

[JamesW]

Like they said, it costs money to send someone out to do a consultation with you about what you want.

You are also going to get their professional advice while they are there asking them a bunch of questions about whatever you want to know about.

While you’re here, can you look at my salt system; it seems like it isn’t working correctly, what do you think?

While you’re here, can you test my chemistry and let me know what you think?

While you’re here, can you listen to my heater and tell me if you think that it sounds right?

While you’re here, can you show me how to vacuum my pool?

While you’re here, what do you think about my light, should I replace it?

While you’re here, can you look at this loose bond wire and tell me how to connect it?

While you’re here, can you watch my kids while I run to the store and maybe you can give my dog Sparky a bath before I get back?

Beyond the time at your property, you have travel to and from your property and then time to write up a detailed proposal and time to figure out everything.

They have to figure out design, engineering and architecture, parts lists, costs, scheduling, parts availability etc.

You are going to expect them to provide an expert opinion about what the best options are with some sort of financial analysis and analyses about reliability etc.

They might have 3 hours into the proposal and you might not even give them the work.

Maybe you are just window shopping and have no intention of purchasing.

Even if you intend to purchase, you might get 10 estimates from 10 different companies, which means that the person is spending 3 hours for a 10% chance at getting the job.

That’s equivalent to 30 hours per accepted proposal.

If you go to a doctor for a consultation, do you expect them to see you for free and give you free advice?

 

[Newdude]

Anderson charged me similar to come look at my leaky windows. (that were still under warranty).

HD wanted to charge me to come measure my exterior doors for replacement, replacing them with the exact, still being made models. I had pulled the trim and took tape measure pics at the jambs just in case but they had to come and measure themselves. I passed on that one and went to the lumberyard who didn't charge, and were happy with my pics.

I don't like it either, but I'm seeing it more and more.

 

[JamesW]

It is what it is, maybe call someone else and maybe they won’t charge for estimates.

It’s up to you if you feel like the fee is worth paying or not.

 

[wireform]

Some of them give it back if you actually use them using it as an incentive.

 

[1poolman1]

Like they said, it costs money to send someone out to do a consultation with you about what you want.

You are also going to get their professional advice while they are there asking them a bunch of questions about whatever you want to know about.

While you’re here, can you look at my salt system; it seems like it isn’t working correctly, what do you think?

While you’re here, can you test my chemistry and let me know what you think?

While you’re here, can you listen to my heater and tell me if you think that it sounds right?

While you’re here, can you show me how to vacuum my pool?

While you’re here, what do you think about my light, should I replace it?

While you’re here, can you look at this loose bond wire and tell me how to connect it?

While you’re here, can you watch my kids while I run to the store and maybe you can give my dog Sparky a bath before I get back?

Beyond the time at your property, you have travel to and from your property and then time to write up a detailed proposal and time to figure out everything.

They have to figure out design, engineering and architecture, parts lists, costs, scheduling, parts availability etc.

You are going to expect them to provide an expert opinion about what the best options are with some sort of financial analysis and analyses about reliability etc.

They might have 3 hours into the proposal and you might not even give them the work.

Maybe you are just window shopping and have no intention of purchasing.

Even if you intend to purchase, you might get 10 estimates from 10 different companies, which means that the person is spending 3 hours for a 10% chance at getting the job.

That’s equivalent to 30 hours per accepted proposal.

If you go to a doctor for a consultation, do you expect them to see you for free and give you free advice?

Thank you for voicing what the reality of the issue is. An estimate is just a guess, hopefully based on experience. The minute someone asks, "Do you give free estimates?" its a high probability you're not going to get the job and waste a bunch of time.

I give free estimates over the phone all the time, "How much to replace this?" "How much to fix that?" with the explanation that to really know what the cost might be I really have to know the problem, see the equipment, and that takes in-person service. And I make house calls.

If a customer is really interested, I offer to come and do a diagnostic of the issue and charge. I'm not getting rich, but I do have to make a living

 

[JamesW]

And, then the customer does not just accept the estimate, they question every line item.

Why is the pump so expensive, I can buy it online for 10% less than what you charge?

Joe Blow says that he can do it twice as fast at half the cost and better quality, what about that?

Or, you don’t hear from them for 2 weeks and then they call and ask if you can get it done by tomorrow because they are selling the house and it needs to be done before closing.

 

[1poolman1]

And, then the customer does not just accept the estimate, they question every line item.

Why is the pump so expensive, I can buy it online for 10% less than what you charge?

Joe Blow says that he can do it twice as fast at half the cost and better quality, what about that?

Or, you don’t hear from them for 2 weeks and then they call and ask if you can get it done by tomorrow because they are selling the house and it needs to be done before closing.

All absolutely true.

Most people don't realize that online prices are sometimes less than I can purchase through distribution. Then I'm asked, "Why don't you buy online then?" For two reasons, 1). if I buy online I become the retail purchaser and most warranties are not transferable, and 2) I'm still going to mark it up. No one EVER goes into a grocery store and starts asking what they paid for product.

For the past several years, I actually have people buy whatever they want online and then do the install for $XXX.XX. They get the warranty, and have to handle any warranty issues, save money (which I'm happy to save them), and I don't have to make a lot of trips and handle the product a bunch of times. I'll make a recommendation and won't install something I know won't work and let them know that ahead of time. Seems to work for both of us.

My standard line when they say they can get the job done cheaper has always been, "Then why did you call me?" or "You better jump before he changes his mind." Did that right from the start as I knew from construction contracting that I didn't want that customer.

 

[Newdude]

Some of them give it back if you actually use them using it as an incentive

Appliance repairmen have been doing that since ever AFAIK.