Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2081095)

Contractors charging for estimates will never work. What's next? Annuity salespeople charging for the free chicken dinner?

Originally Posted by La lamy (Post 2080894)

Just had a nauseating phone call with Tri County Landscaping where they said they don't give free estimates. They charge $115 for it!!!! Crazy crap. Am I the only one who was told this, or have others received stupid quotes to get an estimate. Can't stop shaking my head over this. :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear:

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2081107)

So, all I need is a fancy website and some advertising, and I can drive around The Villages collecting $115 for estimates with no intention of ever doing any work.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2081089)

I agree. But, if you are referring to Tri County Landscapes, their website says that they provide free estimates.

Originally Posted by NoMo50 (Post 2081070)

The rain sensor on our irrigation system quit working...less than 2 years old. I called Hunter, and was told the sensor is under warranty for 5 years. BUT, I needed to call an authorized contractor for replacement. Called TCL, as they installed the system when the house was built. Yes...they will replace the faulty sensor under warranty, but they would charge $115 for the service call. The part is covered under warranty, but the labor is not. While I can buy a new sensor and replace it myself for less than that, I may elect to let TCL come do it, and give the whole system a once over while here.

Originally Posted by Pairadocs (Post 2080930)

Agreed, we've added another, we NEVER take the word (or words on a car or truck) that the contractor is registered with the state AND has insurance. Can't tell you how many, at least SIX times, when all else was satisfactory to have some work done, last step was to check with state and....SURPRISE... the NUMBERS on the business card were ACTUAL numbers connected to the name and business...but... were NOT CURRENT ! In other words, state employee said a business will often register and have the proper insurance ONCE, to get a valid number, but that does not mean they have kept it up to date and filed the current insurance annually. It's as if YOU registered your auto and got both insurance and plates.... then NEVER did anything again, just kept the insurance card in your auto or wallet, and never bought an annual renewal of license plates/tags ! Dah ! NEVER NEVER skip actually checking because some who "looked legit", gave you a card with insurance # and information about being registered, N.E.V.E.R. The guy who gives you the cheapest estimate to cut down that big tree, may turn out to be a huge expense if you have to take care of him or his employee for the rest of their life when they fall OUT of that tree. It only takes 10-15 to make this VITAL check with the state of Florida, but, probably 75% will not !

Originally Posted by Ski Bum (Post 2081114)

I have been in landscaping for 40+ years. Where do we find a middle "ground" between the customer's money and the contractor's time? As one post says, the contractor should take the phone off the hook if they don't want to talk to customers. That's exactly what I have done. I only work on a referral basis. You better have good references if you want me to come out and look at your yard. As a customer, put yourself in the contractor's place. Your phone rings 10+ times a day from people asking for quotes. Be honest, how many are actually serious about having work done, and how many are just curious? Of those who are serious, how many actually have a budget sufficient to get the work done? Of those, how many will slit your throat for a dollar? And yeah, I could go on every one of those sales calls. It's my job and I like what I do. But if I get only one in ten jobs, my prices have to be higher to pay for my time on the other nine. I do think the middle ground is what has been suggested, the cost of the estimate is credited to the job. For a $5000 job, spend $100 each for three estimates. It's worth it. For a $500 job, be honest with the professionals and don't call them. You'll need to find the neighborhood guy in the beat up pickup truck to do that one.

Originally Posted by La lamy (Post 2080894)

Just had a nauseating phone call with Tri County Landscaping where they said they don't give free estimates. They charge $115 for it!!!! Crazy crap. Am I the only one who was told this, or have others received stupid quotes to get an estimate. Can't stop shaking my head over this. :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear:

Originally Posted by dshoberg (Post 2081129)

TCL is bad news….they really think they are somebody because they do a ton of work for TV’s

Originally Posted by La lamy (Post 2081035)

Wow you must be one of the people who has too much money to burn if you think 1/2 hour of talking is worth $115. No wonder so many workers like to gouge Villagers when I hear your response.

Originally Posted by La lamy (Post 2081142)

Good point! And just to add to my original thread, all I was looking for was a quote to do a french drain, nothing to write a book about! One measurement, one look at one sprinkler system pipe to move or work around. Easy peasy.

Originally Posted by La lamy (Post 2080894)

Just had a nauseating phone call with Tri County Landscaping where they said they don't give free estimates. They charge $115 for it!!!! Crazy crap. Am I the only one who was told this, or have others received stupid quotes to get an estimate. Can't stop shaking my head over this. :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear:

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2081189)

Wow! How did you get that impression? I worked for a living. All I said was a "Reasonable" charge to cover time and expenses for coming to your home to answer your questions in the hopes that maybe, MAYBE, I might get a little work. Just for reference, I would think @ $50 would be reasonable, and if they get the job, roll the $50 into a credit towards the job.
Now, I do sincerely hope you find someone to do the job you want done. Good luck.

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye (Post 2081204)

Huh sorry, what’s the question?

Originally Posted by La lamy (Post 2080894)

Just had a nauseating phone call with Tri County Landscaping where they said they don't give free estimates. They charge $115 for it!!!! Crazy crap. Am I the only one who was told this, or have others received stupid quotes to get an estimate. Can't stop shaking my head over this. :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear: :ohdear:

Originally Posted by Tvflguy (Post 2081147)

OK everyone entitled to their opinions. But it’s tiresome to see our “experts” here give their 2 cents and in some ways chastise an OP as some did in this post.

Originally Posted by stevecmo (Post 2081234)

So, all you folks that don't have a problem paying for estimates, how much do you tip the estimator? Asking for a friend.

Originally Posted by RVJim (Post 2081342)

Really? That comment shows you have zero understanding of economics. Are morons reproducing in The Villages - there seem to be more and more of them every day.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2081350)

The guy is wrong but do you have to resort to name calling?

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2081350)

The guy is wrong but do you have to resort to name calling?

Originally Posted by DaleDivine (Post 2081361)

I got put in time out for less than that...
:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2081391)

Complaining with a post won't change anything...

Originally Posted by stevecmo (Post 2081234)

So, all you folks that don't have a problem paying for estimates, how much do you tip the estimator? Asking for a friend.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2081400)

Never feel bad about doing the right thing

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2081524)

I'm talking about complaining about a post. If you want the powers that be to see the complaint, you have to use the "report post" function...

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2083151)

I do not tattle unless the post would have been incredibly over the top. In two years have only seen two like that and it was taken down very quickly.