Contractor Quote / Estimate Fee for Repairs

[Damien G.]

Below is part of an email I received from my property management company after I asked them if they could get me three quotes for repairs / work that need to be completed:

"Damien,

Estimates are not going to be free ( Cost of normal estimate is $89) and I might can get two different estimates but I don't have 3 licensed vendors to do estimates for all the stuff on the list.  In order for us to be able to pay from the rent they have to be licensed and insured. I can give the list of repairs to two vendors and have them go out and give estimates for all and then we work from those list to do the work."

Is this normal? I've never heard of paying a fee for a quote or an estimate. This property is in South Carolina.

I appreciate any advice you all can give me!

Thank you in advance!

[John Underwood]

Contact contractors directly and ask for a repair quote. No contractor should be charging for quotes.

Maybe you PM is charging for picking up the phone to schedule contractors?

You should find a new PM. They already take part of your gross income every month.