Everybody loves to get something for free.  The internet constantly barrages you with offers of free IPads, TV’s and vacations.  Most people will look at it and say to themselves, “Yeah right”.

More and more people are asking for free over the phone estimates for plumbing service or heating service work.  Some examples of homeowner requests are.

• My furnace will not work.  What will it cost to fix it?
• I have a plumbing leak somewhere and I don’t know where.  How much to fix it?
• I need a new water heater, but I don’t know if I have code issues or size or if it is the right one.  How much to replace it?
• I don’t know the type or size of my waste disposal, but I would like a quote over the phone.

There are some things that are obvious and are easier to diagnose and give pricing. However, there might be bigger issues causing the obvious issue. For that reason a home visit by a plumber or hvac service technician is needed.  A price can then be given to correctly fix the problem and any other issues that may be occurring.

An over the phone free estimate can cost you more than paying for a licensed plumber or heating contractor  to come to your home and assess and provide an up front price.  The free phone estimate is not in writing and is not given with a commitment to honor the price.  This is due to the contractor not knowing the situation and thus not being able to give an informed estimate.  The number will usually go up once the contractor is on site or worse yet, started the job for you.

Providing an estimate at your home is an expense for a contractor.  A better question than “Do you provide free estimates?” is “How can you afford to do free estimates?”.  The cost has to paid somehow.  Either by increasing the price when the contractor gets to your home or cutting corners to save money.  Another option is even worse for the homeowner.  Service will be provided and paid for, but the contractor is nowhere to be found for warranty issues since they have gone out of business.

You can count on Minneapolis Saint Paul Plumbing Heating Air for superior service at a value locked in price.  Give us a call or schedule online for your up front price for any plumbing, heating, drain cleaning, air conditioning service or replacement project you have.