- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Paying for a contractor estimate
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:38 am to N2cars
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:38 am to N2cars
quote:
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.
for a residential stand-by?
1
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:39 am to lnomm34
We always tell 'em upfront. It helps get rid of the timewasters and chuckleheads.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:43 am to NYCAuburn
quote:
for a residential stand-by?
Naw, network services.
I don't really blame contractors though.
Gas and time really isn't free.
Also depends on the OP's house. Is it a simple 100A service? Lots of variables...
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:48 am to N2cars
quote:
Naw, network services.
well thats a bit different
quote:
Also depends on the OP's house. Is it a simple 100A service? Lots of variables...
Agreed, but a good estimator for a project like this can easily have everything done in an hour, usually less, on site, including meet and greet with the owner.
quote:
I don't really blame contractors though.
Gas and time really isn't free.
I can see if its a drive, but if its local, this is akin to getting an HVAC quote.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:49 am to N2cars
quote:
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?
This is lulzworthy for a residential stand by generator. There is a salesman coming to your house, not an EE. You should never ever pay for an estimate for anything residential. Period.
But to note, you are trying to buy a generator at the beginning of hurricane season so as was previously posted these clowns can afford to throw large bait and see if any moron will bite.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:51 am to Tbooux
quote:
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.
Sounds like a pretty shitty contractor that will be out of business soon.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:53 am to Tigeralum2008
quote:
Doesn't seem like the work to install a generator would be that unique for each customer.
It came be extremely different...
Is the gas meter on the same side the house as the electrical service.
Is there disconnect outside.
Do you have the original plot plan & elevation certificate
Generators are the worse for people wanting quotes during hurricane season, just because they were curious what it cost. Many get a quote and decide it is not worth the cost.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:53 am to N2cars
quote:
Why would anyone expect this for free?
It's a cost for you to get business. I could just imagine if the contractors that my company hires tried charging us to present proposals. It'd be pretty comical. Honestly I bet they'd pay us if we asked.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:53 am to The Mick
quote:
They're probably bombarded with people getting estimates and never buying so they're trying to weed out the tire-kickers.
And future customers.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:56 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!
So you want him to come out and use his time that he could be out making money to give you a quote, and if you turn it down he's out that time......
Sounds like you're a cheapass and while you may be in construction you've never been an owner-operator, thats obvious.
The fact that he'll deduct quote price from the purchase price if you say yes is very fair.
People's time isn't free.
This post was edited on 6/10/16 at 8:57 am
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:56 am to N2cars
quote:
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?
If you are a reputable contractor then A) You don't charge someone for an estimate. You want to get the work, not push work away from you and B) thats why you have overhead costs, such as estimators. The projects is how you make the money to pay your estimators. You have a much better chance of getting a project if you don't start the conversation with "that'll be $120 for us to do what we do daily". You don't charge the state or owners "estimating fees" do you? It's all built into your markup.
Your statement proves you don't know shite about the industry. Unless you are paying your estimators hourly, you should not be charging people for estimates. And if you are paying your estimators hourly, then your company is about to fold.
This post was edited on 6/10/16 at 8:58 am
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:57 am to Ignignot
quote:
People's time isn't free.
That's fine, but you may want to reevaluate that policy if your competition doesn't charge for an estimate.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:58 am to LNCHBOX
quote:
That's fine, but you may want to reevaluate that policy if your competition doesn't charge for an estimate.
If he's getting enough business doesn't matter what the competition is doing.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:58 am to BugAC
quote:
If you are a reputable contractor then A) You don't charge someone for an estimate. You want to get the work, not push work away from you and B) thats why you have overhead costs, such as estimators. The projects is how you make the money to pay your estimators. You have a much better chance of getting a project if you don't start the conversation with "that'll be $120 for us to do what we do daily". You don't charge the state or owners "estimating fees" do you? It's all built into your markup.
This.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 8:59 am to Ignignot
quote:
If he's getting enough business doesn't matter what the competition is doing.
I would wager a large sum of money that policy is costing the company more than they make in the fees. If you're being honest, you would too.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 9:01 am to Kajungee
[link=(It came be extremely different...
Is the gas meter on the same side the house as the electrical service.
Is there disconnect outside.
Do you have the original plot plan & elevation certificate
Generators are the worse for people wanting quotes during hurricane season, just because they were curious what it cost. Many get a quote and decide it is not worth the cost.
)]It came be extremely different... Is the gas meter on the same side the house as the electrical service. Is there disconnect outside. Do you have the original plot plan & elevation certificate Generators are the worse for people wanting quotes during hurricane season, just because they were curious what it cost. Many get a quote and decide it is not worth the cost.[/link]
This. Depending on the Parish, Residential stand-by generators can become a pain in the a** to have installed. I wouldn't pay for a base price estimate, but if you want a detailed estimate and lay-out of the system I wouldn't be surprised if a company had some type of charge associated with it. I wouldn't want to do all the leg work for someone only to have them give my layout to someone else.
Is the gas meter on the same side the house as the electrical service.
Is there disconnect outside.
Do you have the original plot plan & elevation certificate
Generators are the worse for people wanting quotes during hurricane season, just because they were curious what it cost. Many get a quote and decide it is not worth the cost.
)]It came be extremely different... Is the gas meter on the same side the house as the electrical service. Is there disconnect outside. Do you have the original plot plan & elevation certificate Generators are the worse for people wanting quotes during hurricane season, just because they were curious what it cost. Many get a quote and decide it is not worth the cost.[/link]
This. Depending on the Parish, Residential stand-by generators can become a pain in the a** to have installed. I wouldn't pay for a base price estimate, but if you want a detailed estimate and lay-out of the system I wouldn't be surprised if a company had some type of charge associated with it. I wouldn't want to do all the leg work for someone only to have them give my layout to someone else.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 9:04 am to b87
quote:
This. Depending on the Parish, Residential stand-by generators can become a pain in the a** to have installed. I wouldn't pay for a base price estimate, but if you want a detailed estimate and lay-out of the system I wouldn't be surprised if a company had some type of charge associated with it. I wouldn't want to do all the leg work for someone only to have them give my layout to someone else.
You are mixing the two up. This is a consultation for a rough budgetary estimate based on the site conditions. They aren't going out pulling permits and putting together a detailed bill of materials.
This post was edited on 6/10/16 at 9:05 am
Posted on 6/10/16 at 9:04 am to Tbooux
I build homes for people. Our company prices a design and features, then goes to look at the homesite. That's before we ask for any money. First money is asked for when we draft plans. Cost of doing business.
Posted on 6/10/16 at 9:05 am to Ignignot
quote:
If he's getting enough business doesn't matter what the competition is doing.
Well, seeing as the OP went with a Contractor not charging estimating fees, looks like the other contractor just lost potential business. Great strategy!
Posted on 6/10/16 at 9:05 am to Libertariantiger
quote:
I build homes for people. Our company prices a design and features, then goes to look at the homesite. That's before we ask for any money.
Where do yall build?
Page 2 of 5
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News