We have all seen the statement "Free Estimates" but what does that actually mean. Each estimate that I do cost me something. I have fuel cost, vehicle wear and tear, office overhead, not to mention the amount of time that goes into each proposal. I probably spend over $3000 per year on free estimates. Most people would not want to pay a service fee for a contractor to estimate their potential project and part of me doesn't blame them but at the same time I wonder how many of them would work for free.
It would be safe to say that if your not serious about starting your project you will have a problem with an estimate fee. If people will tell me their plan is to start this project sometime in the future I could do an estimated budget based on conversations. This would give them a very good idea of what kind of money they will need to save. Budgeting and estimating are two different things.
Free Estimates will never go away because there will always be someone willing to take the chance and spend the time and money to do the estimate with the hope of landing the contract. As for me, I don't mind doing estimates for serious people but if your just kicking the tires of a potential project then be willing to pay for the time of a contractor to help you budget.
