Free estimates. Do you do free estimates?

Electrical contractor, the author of this post never goes for free estimates if the expected price of the job is below $2000. And I think it is fair not to waste time on small job estimates.
Especially taking into account that some customers invite more than five Electrical Contractors, or electricians who are not ECs and even handymen to quote. Together those estimators waste 10 - 20 hrs giving quotes for a $400 job. And sometimes you can do ten estimates, spend two whole days and get no jobs.
Hourly rate is a life saver for small jobs or when the exact scope of the work is not known. So I offer customers my hourly rate for short jobs and never do free estimates.
I found this post about free estimates written for customers. Is a free estimate really free?
Do you do free estimates?
How do you handle this problem?
Or should we discuss how to stop wasting time?
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You can also comment on these topics:
Customer didn't pay
Has the ESA abused you?
Or charged money for nothing?
Cost to fix a short circuit in Ontario
Pros and Cons of Being an Electrician
Electrical contractors' rates, electricians' wages
Especially taking into account that some customers invite more than five Electrical Contractors, or electricians who are not ECs and even handymen to quote. Together those estimators waste 10 - 20 hrs giving quotes for a $400 job. And sometimes you can do ten estimates, spend two whole days and get no jobs.
Hourly rate is a life saver for small jobs or when the exact scope of the work is not known. So I offer customers my hourly rate for short jobs and never do free estimates.
I found this post about free estimates written for customers. Is a free estimate really free?
Do you do free estimates?
How do you handle this problem?
Or should we discuss how to stop wasting time?
Comments are moderated and will appear in a day or two if approved.
Comments with outgoing links will NOT be published!
You can also comment on these topics:
Customer didn't pay
So what do I do now?
Has the ESA abused you?
Or charged money for nothing?
Cost to fix a short circuit in Ontario
Pros and Cons of Being an Electrician
Electrical contractors' rates, electricians' wages














