I agree. You wouldn't believe how many times I went out to give a free estimate spending an hour with the potential customer and another hour to and from traveling just to find out that they are just shopping for the lowest estimate.
2 hours wasted that I could have been working.
With the price of diesel fuel being over $5 a gallon,, I now charge $50 for an estimate and if I get the job, that will go towards the invoice. If I don't, at least it covers the fuel cost and if they don't want the estimate, then I have not lost my time and fuel.

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

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

Fairfield Farms Nurseries Consultation Fee
 

Similar experience with Fairfield Farms Nursery, they charge $75.00 consultation fee. Two other nurseries charged no fee, came to our house, took pictures, and provided us a detailed 3D presentation of their suggested plan.

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.

When we lived up north, we built 4 homes over the years. Calling a landscaper there was much the same as the OP's experience. They do that because many are shopping around for the best price. IF the business is hired they'd apply the estimate cost to the rest. I don't see a problem here with this OP's experience.

Landscaper
 

Highly recommend R Vera Landscaping
352-571-0992
Had 3 estimates and he was 60% of the cost of the other two. Completed the work on time, on budget, and the finished product is beautiful. You won’t be disappointed!

Don’t agree

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.

Lukes Landscaping
 

Luke does not charge, just finished a redesign of my yard - great job and a reasonable price.

Tri County was the landscaper for our Villages designer home built last September. They probably still have all the business they need.

Uh oh better not let you know who hear about doing that.

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

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.

WOW. Figured they were just trying to blow me off. More head shaking
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