Quote:
Originally Posted by KTrain
...The time it takes for them to take your call, drive to you home, review the problem, give you a quote and then wait for you to get other quotes is a big commitment of time on their part. They're also likely burned all the time by tire-kickers or people just looking to get a number so they can get the lowest. ...
|
This is exactly how they explain it and it's a complete BS. There must be some effort on the part of a contractor to earn the job. Estimating is part of that effort. Millions of contractors around the world prepare tender bids and get nothing for it when someone else wins the tender. If a contractor can't tell you on the phone what it would cost to replace a 40-gal hot water tank, I would not even bother inviting them over to look at it. The proper answer should be: "The 40-gal tank cost is $800, installation will cost $500 to $700 depending on your piping layout , time to get it in/out and accessibility, disposal cost is $80 etc." This is REALLY not rocket science. They do want you on the hook for the estimate costs, so that people don't feel like wasting the estimating fee and hire them right there.
Major appliance repair companies are the worst for this abhorrent practice, btw.