Charging for long trips

Dan Peel

We don't charge for estimating - near or far. Here if you think you want the job you look at it. If you still think you want the job you do the heatloss and quote it. Days weeks or even months later you either get the job or you don't. If what you have to offer takes you into a wide trading circle you need to control your margins to support the travel. JMHO, Dan

<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=174&Step=30">To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"</A>

Marc Finn

Charging for long trips

We are in New Hampshire and some of the calls we get for estimates are a considerable distance. We are considering instituting a $65 travel charge per hour. We know this may detract some customers. Anyone else charge for travel time.

Al Letellier

cost for estimating

I agree with Dan. We never charge for an estimate because the costs of sales should be part of your operating budget and you need to track it. How else will you know when it's time to hire salesman???
We do charge a consulting fee if we are asked to resolve an issue or recommend changes to a system that isn't installed or running correctly, but we almost always credit that back if we are awarded the work. Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between the two, but just be up front with your customer about it.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Bill_14

Think about it...

What could you be doing to be productive if you weren't behind a windshield the best part of a day? Weigh your decision to waste or not waste your time carefully...only you know for sure. Time = money.

Bill

Boilerpro_3

I have begun charging

for long trips for estimates. I serve an area that covers about 6 counties, so the farthest clients are often an hour each way. That can be alot of wasted time. However, if you display knowledge well above the norm on your inital phone contact, potential clients are not so reluctant to pay for your knowledge. Estimates are often also consultations, so your knowledge is certainly worth something. JMHO

Boilerpro