Why do contractors only send the estimate 10%-25% of the time?

[Bryan H.]

BP Community,

I live in the Denver Metro city of Centennial, Colorado.  It boggles my mind how many contractors come to do a site walkthrough, promise to provide an estimate within a few business days, and never send it! 

We had several home projects that we requested 3 different company estimates: hardwood floor refinishing, baseboard installation, enclosing a porch to insulate with electric to add square footage to house and have sunroom, sprinkler system, outside deck/porch installation, paving of driveway, move a fence, possible foundation repair, structural engineers to clear no structural damage, inside painting companies, and attic insulation among others. 

90% of all the estimates were never sent at all, or required 3+ calls to estimator and/or manager to have estimate finally sent. These were requests to fix up the house we live in that will be a rental soon. Maybe my project is not big enough, maybe they don't want to do the job for whatever reason, but why did they waste their time in the first place?!?

Is this your experience as well? Obviously once you find the right company you hold onto them and pay them well, but I am curious to hear others experiences of lack of response and why this is happening within the industry.

Bryan H.

[Harry Coldreck]

Hi Brian

I am a contractor in Southern Maine and here is one take on the situation from my experiences here in Maine. I tend to work for customers who I know well or who have been referred to me by these customers. When I show up for an estimate with a new client one of the first things I ask is are they putting the job out to bid to other contractors. Then I now that 90% of the time they are going to go with the cheapest guy, and usually that guy is either a hack or pays his guys dirt. I think its important to take the time to find and work with a contractor and subs you can trust who do quality work and take pride in their business and themselves. Sometimes when working with new clients I charge for the estimate then if I get the job I take that money of the bill. The point is everyone's time is valuable. Communicate your expectations and learn how to feel these guys out. Your first impression is usually right. Then when you find the right fit it will feel like a  partnership.

Harry