Is there such a thing as “Free Builders Quotes?”
For many builders they offer “free builders quotes” to potential clients as a way to get work. In theory it sounds like a good idea, especially for the homeowner. Many homeowners work on the theory also, get at least 3 quotes.
Quoting for small projects like basic timber decks or minor building repairs would be acceptable. Only because the time it takes to quote is minimal. The risk if you get your pricing wrong is also minimal. But, many builders continue to pricing their own work for major projects. Major projects like new houses, renovations or extensions. My guess is they are tying to save on quantity surveying fees or they haven’t educated their clients well enough.
The hours builders spend in the evenings and weekends pricing this type of work is huge. This no longer makes it a free quote!
Builders will justify this time as non productive time because it falls outside of their building hours. This is true, but builders could be spending their time on more productive activities. I don’t know of many builders who spend time on actually marketing their business. When I mean marketing, I mean something more than a business card.
Why winning work on price is a bad thing!
When builders are in a bidding war with homeowners to secure work I believe this is not a A+ client. They are fixed on pricing more often than not rather than quality of workmanship and other benefits a good builder can offer. This is not a good starting point of any relationship, particularly when you’re dealing with them for a long period of time. To haggle over money at the start there is ever likelihood it will become an issue further down the track.
I understand why builders find it hard to move away from the “free builders quotes” mentality, when their competitors are doing the same. Builders feel like they might miss out on work and loose out on business. For the most part this is true. The building and construction industry needs to rethink it’s views and move away from this out-of-date way of thinking. The industry needs to educate the public that pricing major building projects is a skill and requires a trained professional.
Why do homeowners happily pay for an architect to design their new home or pay big fees to an engineer? It’s because none of these services have ever been for free!
So why should pricing a new house or major building project be seen as a freebie!
