charles720•16d agoProlific Poster

PSA: That "free estimate" almost cost me a $250 job

Had a homeowner in Denver call me out last Thursday for a 12x14 room. I quoted her $450 for padding and install. She said another guy quoted her $300 and I should match. I asked what he included. She said "just labor, you'd need to bring everything else." Then she wanted me to match that lol. I spent 20 minutes explaining the difference between a real bid and a half job. Has anyone else dealt with people thinking installation means you supply all the materials?

3 comments

3 Comments

stellat4616d ago

Does she think we just carry around sheets of padding in our back pocket or something? I had a lady once ask me to "just tack down a corner" of her carpet, so I showed up and the whole thing was held together with duct tape from the last guy who "fixed" it. Ended up being a three hour mess just to get the floor flat enough to even start, and then she got mad I charged her for the extra time. Some people see a price tag and their brain just shuts off.

evan_davis16d agoMost Upvoted

Price matching a quote is totally fine, but you absolutely can't match a bid that doesn't even include materials.

jana76916d ago

Show up with a tape measure and a notepad, call that a 'free estimate' too, I guess. Some people see a price and just think you're trying to rip them off, not paying for the actual materials and work.