$115 to come give an estimate?!!!
 

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:

Just move on call another landscaper

Just say no

When contractors are busy and have lots of work, it’s not a good use of their time to give estimates to potential customers who they sense are price shopping several estimates. They figure they are going to bid high and not get the job anyways, so why bother to do it for free. It’s currently a contractors market, not a customers market.

I had sort of the same kind of thing happen with a sprinkler guy. He said that they charge $40 to come out and check my system so he could give me an estimate, but that if I want them to work on it the $40 goes into the price of the work. I ended up paying $115 for the job; he checked over the entire system including the timer, replaced three of the heads, and made sure the rest were were working well and aimed in the right direction. I felt that I was treated fairly.

There is no way I would pay for a landscaping estimate.

Then, instead of insulting us, they should take the phone off the hook, then take
care of the business that they already over changing.
I NEVER do business asking for money up front, and insulting the public with high
prices is poor business practice.

do not pay for estimates

Maybe the contractor thinks he has the market cornered on digging holes and popping plants 🪴 in the ground. Forgetabouit. Onward to a fair hole digger.

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 !

:bigbow:

Time is money. A REASONABLE charge to come out. If they do the job, figuring that back into the overall cost is fair.

Yikes…so many company to chose from.. call another, be done..

Try Fernview Farms - 352-245-7905 They did a job for me a few years ago, reliable and reasonable.

We just had Jason Schmidt do some landscaping for us. They gave good guidance, service, and execution. They showed up for the initial estimate (free) on time and did the work when they said they would. With the way contractors are abusing customers these days, that’s a huge plus in my book.

Jason Schmidt Landscaping Professionals

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.

Thanks

Thanks.

A detailed written estimate with drawing is worth it. A quick number is not. Ask what you get for that charge. It costs a legitimate contractor at least $100 to make that visit and prepare a quote. Many will refund the fee if you purchase their services

Fortunately landscapers in TV are a dime a dozen. Make a list. Get references and hire someone who doesn’t charge for a plan. The free enterprise system works well.
I would add that the original landscaper will probably give you the fee as a discount if you choose his company.

Gather your current landscaper will not get the job.

Would go around and see who your neighbors use and get opinions and than make some calls.

We are about to start with our third one in just over two years.

I tend to agree. Without being a landscaper myself I would think that an accurate estimate needs far more than eyeballing the yard and giving a "not to exceed" number. Things like the type of ground, cost and location of plants, picking the kinds of structures wanted such as edging, rock, decorative items, (new or replacement) if those were to be supplied by the contractor, possibly moving one or more sprinkler heads, etc. etc. , would all go into figuring the final cost. It would take not only a detailed examination of the area and an in-depth conversation with the client in order to ascertain exactly what was wanted, but also a fair amount of paperwork figuring sources of materials, cost, transport, etc., , plus producing a detailed drawing and preparing the contract/work order to be approved by the client, all apart from the actual labor.

I think it all comes down to reputation. But for landscaping (especially for landscaping) I would much rather pay for a detailed estimate than give the job over to "oh, I think we can do this for "X" dollars". A conscientious contractor SHOULD do detailed upfront work in order to assure client satisfaction at the end, and that upfront work takes time and expertise, which translates into money.

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.

I don’t think it is a stupid quote if you don’t get a quote! They probably are tired of giving free quotes and not getting the business - time to relax and move on!

Thank you I learned something

A company with attitude like this doesn’t need your business or mine. Just blacklist them and move on.

Went to the dept that issues permits and they gave me the info for the App Dept of Business and Professional Regulation- you just enter the name or business and it gives you the latest info!! Or call Senior Vs Crime and see what info they have on the person/business!! Also google BBB and gather info!!

I also last month had the front of my house redone by Jason Schmidt. Estimate is free and detailed (quantities, quality of materials used). I also had them put in a rock border around my stucco house. They are dependable, punctual, professional and eager to please. They show up every day with multiple crew to expertly get the job done. I had to wait 3 months for them to start the job - they are busy. They did an excellent job and I would use them again.

Lalamy you are so right. A large part of the rip off prices for services here are caused by a lot of the residents.

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.