Charging for estimates?

Mrsmorningwood

Mrsmorningwood

Location
Venice, FL
I would like to get a feel for what y'all do. We want to start charging a small estimate fee ($35-$45?) for regular estimates. I've heard we may not get as many estimate requests but will get more actual sales. Does anyone else do that and what success have you had? Most tree cos. here advertise free estimates.

Also, when bidding large jobs, for example, let's just say a small but very competent tree company puts together a bid for an entire community; palms (~500), oaks, hedges, everything. This extremely professional company meets with board members who seem to be quite impressed with the knowledge and integrity of the owners of the tree company. We..I mean, "they", spend several hours looking at all the plant material they will be dealing with, measuring, checking for health, etc. etc. etc. The bid that is put together is a masterpiece with pictures, brochures, explanations of things like topping and lions-tailing. The tree company believes they have it in the bag even though it's pretty costly: ~$30K over a couple years.

But then, weeks later, the work is being performed by another company, one that is stripping out the oaks and providing sub-standard tree care.

OK, so maybe this is a bit of a rant. Do you charge for larger bids like this, maybe by calling them consultations? What about sugaring the gas tanks of the competition?? (j/k!!)
 
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But then, weeks later, the work is being performed by another company, one that is stripping out the oaks and providing sub-standard tree care.

OK, so maybe this is a bit of a rant. Do you charge for larger bids like this, maybe by calling them consultations? What about sugaring the gas tanks of the competition?? (j/k!!)

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I stay away from large bids due to happenings similar to yours. You will find charging for a bid will weed this type out and save you lots of time. Often time you will find you were only being used and the plant material you have suggested, the trees you suggested be trimmed and the trees you suggested need trimming......is used as a work order for the cheaper company or the guys that mow the lawns.
 
I like the idea of charging for estimates. Now personally for a new tree care company free bids I feel are unfortunately a must to get your name out. Look at it this way, service call for a plumber or electrician comes with a cost. Check ups at the Dr. comes with a cost. Why should our industry be any differant. I always feel that we don't give estimates we give prices. Its not like we say the job is going to be around $1253 give or take a couple $100, it is $1253. Problem is everyone in the industry needs to get on board and charge for prices or quotes to make us look and be more proffesional as a whole.
 
The more you charge for an estimate (price), fewer and fewer people will ask for them. The trick is to find the lowest price you can charge (because you want to meet the most people, but weed out the freeloaders.) I'd think about it carefully- a few companies here with an established clientel charge ~$10 for an estimate (price). We're still free for a 20m range. But we need to meet as many potential clients as possible. Sorry to hear about the burn by that community- I've been there. When an estimate is going to take some time to develop, I make sure that there is a charge for the information- waived if we do the work. Since I don't like paperwork, and most tree people here could not produce a professional bid, I make sure that charge is high.

Again- It always seems that communities (not individuals) do that type of thing. Sorry to hear about it.
 
No charge here, we screen all the calls here and only respond to about 30% of the calls. We avoid people who call saying we're getting estimats, going through a list, flipping through the phone book. I don't mind people geting two or three estimates, but anymore than that is just wasting alot of peoples time.
 
Haven't had to charge here yet, though there have been a couple if times we'd have liked to. Again, on the bigger bids.

We usually weed out the tire kickers especially if they ask if we give free estimates. Basically we tell them, "if the work is obvious then the estimate will be prepared without charge. On the other hand if you (meaning the customer) want an opinion,plan, recommendation or diagnostic then that is a billable service"

And we leave it to them to decide whether to terminate the call. Often times they are afraid of what they don't know about.

We are seriously considering charging a $25 fee for a site visit. We'd also give them a $25.00 off coupon that they can apply to the final bill should they decide to go with us.

We'll probably test fly that bird this summer.
 
I have implemented a pretty rigerous screening policy. That said I have been trying- trying being the operative word- for a few seasons to charge 75 dollars for a "consultation" when a drive-by estimate doesn't suit people. It is funny but people would almost always rather meet with you in person. That can make a 5 minute estimate into a 45 minute consultation. It is a very unique thing to our business.
I am the kind of person that if I can find someone to do a job the less I have to deal with them the more I like it.
People are funny about their trees though. I find usually they want to tell you all about the history of the tree and how miserable/wonderful the tree is making their life.
And I feel your pain as far as spending hours and hours with someone only to have them pick an inferior product only because of cost. I often go so far as to tell people that if shopping around they are likely to get a lower bid but that we are selling a superior product.
 
A very good climber/arborist in california told me ten years ago that If you value your time the customer will.Since we are arborist we are considered consultants and should charge for DIAGNOSIS for peoples trees.However a good selling point is to wave the diagnosis fee if you get a signed contract.

robdog
 
I did over 400 estimates this year. If I were to charge only $10 bucks each, I would have made an extra $4,000 dollars! Why not charge for estimates? We are self employed and our time matters.

I say we all simultaneously start charging for extimates on Arbor Day! TCIA and the ISA should send out the word for all of us to start charging for estimates on Arbor Day. Why Arbor Day? It is just an easy day to remember. That way would all be "in cahoots!"

Shoot, my ISA and TCIA dues are pricey. At the very least, they could have the resource to distribute the idea to all professional arborists. Whether we want to implement the suggestion, is up to us.

Seriously guys! Let's do it!
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Give estimates for free, charge for consultations. Do the screening on the phone to establish the extent then let them know what is entailed and the cost. Deal with the price objection re someone else is going to do it for free and find out what is most important to them. If its a low bid wins environment then make your decision then and there if you will participate. This process is normal in ANY business. I've tendered many large contracts in various businesses and have run into the problem of low bid wins. What you may offer is a bid consulting fee. Charge them to write up there RFP or RFQ! Sell them on that.
 
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