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Started By
Message
Paying for a contractor estimate
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:14 am
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:14 am
Called a local contractor yesterday to get a price to install a standby generator and they told me that there was a $125 consult fee to come out and give me a proposal. 
I informed them that I would not be paying them to come propose a project for me and would not be doing business with their company. They said the consult fee would be deducted from the cost should I proceed with the work but still complete BS!
Anyone ever experience this, I'm astounded by this practice. I've been in construction over 20 years and never once heard of someone doing this. Would have been different if I was requesting drawings, site layout, etc.
I informed them that I would not be paying them to come propose a project for me and would not be doing business with their company. They said the consult fee would be deducted from the cost should I proceed with the work but still complete BS!
Anyone ever experience this, I'm astounded by this practice. I've been in construction over 20 years and never once heard of someone doing this. Would have been different if I was requesting drawings, site layout, etc.
17
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:15 am to Tbooux
That's some bullshite.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:16 am to Tbooux
If they are worried about recouping that cost it should let you know that every dollar counts and it would seem not too many people use them.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:16 am to Tbooux
For certain types of business where there is a large amount of work involved in a proposal, yes a fee is expected. But to come out and look, to provide an estimate on something like a stand by generator, no. Unless you live an hour or more away, no
This post was edited on 6/10/16 at 8:17 am
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:17 am to Tbooux
Sign of the current construction bubble. They are so busy they can demand money just to come bid jobs.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:20 am to Tbooux
They're probably bombarded with people getting estimates and never buying so they're trying to weed out the tire-kickers.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:21 am to NYCAuburn
Shouldn't a contractor be able to quote you over the phone?
Doesn't seem like the work to install a generator would be that unique for each customer.
Doesn't seem like the work to install a generator would be that unique for each customer.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:22 am to Tbooux
quote:
Called a local contractor yesterday to get a price to install a standby generator and they told me that there was a $125 consult fee to come out and give me a proposal.
I informed them that I would not be paying them to come propose a project for me and would not be doing business with their company. They said the consult fee would be deducted from the cost should I proceed with the work but still complete BS!
Anyone ever experience this, I'm astounded by this practice. I've been in construction over 20 years and never once heard of someone doing this. Would have been different if I was requesting drawings, site layout, etc.
Another way to do it would be to offer to have them give you a proposal and pay the fee after you accept the job.
That's some bullshite though and you did the right thing. Right off the bat that tells me they aren't professional and will be nickel and diming you throughout the whole process. I would have given them a few words of my mind and asked how long they have been doing this.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:23 am to The Mick
[img]They're probably bombarded with people getting estimates and never buying so they're trying to weed out the tire-kickers[/img]
THIS^^^^
THIS^^^^
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:24 am to jbgleason
quote:
Sign of the current construction bubble. They are so busy they can demand money just to come bid jobs.
This
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:25 am to doublecutter
quote:
img]They're probably bombarded with people getting estimates and never buying so they're trying to weed out the tire-kickers[/img]
THIS^^^^
I would have reminded them they aren't the only outfit in town, and that if they want a shot at my business, a proposal would be a good idea without fees.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:26 am to NYNolaguy1
quote:
I would have given them a few words of my mind
I did exactly this. there response was "sir we're a reputable company"
Called two other companies who were more then willing to come look at the project and provide a price without a "consult fee"
quote:
I would have reminded them they aren't the only outfit in town, and that if they want a shot at my business, a proposal would be a good idea without
Any company that has this practice will not be given the opportunity to work for me.
This post was edited on 6/10/16 at 8:28 am
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:28 am to Tigeralum2008
quote:
Shouldn't a contractor be able to quote you over the phone?
Doesn't seem like the work to install a generator would be that unique for each customer.
Not really, total load, distance to fuel source, distance to electrical panel, access to site, etc all play a major role in total price, Now if the contractor was talking to someone who understood all of those things they could give them a pretty accurate price over the phone, but most people are idiots and would only make for bad feelings
ETA: not saying I agree for paying for a proposal
This post was edited on 6/10/16 at 8:30 am
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:28 am to NYNolaguy1
I just went through the same process. I called certified security , hmg generators , rescom, and chustz electric. All of them did on site estimates with no fees.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:33 am to bsramzy
quote:
bsramzy
Who did you end up going with, HMG is one of them that I have scheduled.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:33 am to Tbooux
That's cheap.
We charge $1000, but we apply it to the bill if you go with us.
Time is money, sport.
We charge $1000, but we apply it to the bill if you go with us.
Time is money, sport.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:34 am to Tbooux
I ended up choosing Chustz. HMG matched their price and offer, but they charge an extra 5% for credit cards. Their maintenance plan was also much higher.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:36 am to NYNolaguy1
A detailed proposal with accurate information and true estimate of project cost takes 8-12 hours to prepare. That's including a site visit to determine physical layout and various environmental components.
Why would anyone expect this for free?
Why would anyone expect this for free?
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:36 am to Tigeralum2008
quote:
Shouldn't a contractor be able to quote you over the phone?
maybe a rough estimate on an easy install. There are too many variables and the end customers often give incorrect info over the phone
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:37 am to Tbooux
Had this happen to me recently. The dude never mentioned this before scheduling to come out to my house to look at the job.
After talking for a while he mentioned he could put a proposal together but it would cost me for him to do so. I told him he could've mentioned that before hand and saved us both a lot of time. He got pissed and left.
After talking for a while he mentioned he could put a proposal together but it would cost me for him to do so. I told him he could've mentioned that before hand and saved us both a lot of time. He got pissed and left.
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