Let’s talk estimates, specifically “free” estimates.

Are you really a contractor if you don’t give out free estimates? (Answer: YES! And probably a successful one at that.)

As a client it would be ludicrous for your contractor to charge you for an estimate, right? RIGHT!

Not so fast though, let’s think about this.

Since the beginning of time, yes the very beginning, contractors have been providing FREE estimates.  And yes, it’s typical for contractors to spend LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of hours generating scopes of work, performing takeoffs, tracking down sub and supplier costs, tallying up our general conditions, and on and on to come up with an estimate for your project.

But who pays for all those labor hours spent generating a “free” estimate?

Want me to tell you?

YOU DO!!!

When you select a contractor, their estimate includes overhead and profit.  And a portion of that overhead pays the estimator’s wages.

Makes sense, right? Somebody’s gotta pay the bills.

BUT,

Here’s the catch…

IF your contractor is providing “free” estimates, not only are you paying for your own estimate in the end; you’re also paying for a portion of all the other “free” estimates your contractor generates for jobs they don’t get.

Yes, you read that right, YOU are paying for other’s “free” estimates.

Who wants to pay for someone else’s estimate? Let me guess…no one.

Like I said though, somebody’s gotta pay the bills.

So next time your contractor says they charge for estimates, take a second, consider that maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

Instead of dedicating a portion of the overhead from your project towards other’s “free” estimates now your contractor can dedicate that towards YOUR project just like they should.

Drop us a comment, let me know your thoughts on “Free” Estimates

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