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Can a Contractor charge for giving an estimate to fix up a house?
we had a general contractor come out and give us an estimate for fixing up our house after is flooded, and now he wants to charge us almost $2000 for the estimate (3% of the total estimate!) Is this legal, we never signed anything with us, and he never advised us of any fee upfront! PLEASE HELP!
Public Comments
- Sure, it's called a consultation fee. Next time, check if they give "Free Consultations." You called and asked for his services. He provided them, you have to pay him. Sorry.
- for an estimate.........$2000. My dad is delivery driver and we had some work done, and we never NEVER got charged for an estimate. If you haven't signed anything, you aren't liable to any of the costs ( no agreement of paying it ). Many contractors ARE SCAM ARTISTS and use billing certain areas heavily to scrap in the big bucks
- if there was nothing in writing, you're good to go. They do have a right to charge an estimation fee, but you should've been informed prior to the estimate being done. If theres any paper work given to you prior to the estimation, check the fine print to be sure you didnt miss anything. If you find nothing, dont pay a dime, you'll win this one for sure!. good luck!
- Yes, but it must be declared before the work startes. (estimate) wjhat is this 3%? is that so he will make the estimate higher...
- If he did'nt tell you about a fee upfront and you did'nt sign anything you are not obligated to pay the fee, but if he told you about it and you signed the papers its perfectly legal. this is coming from my dad, a CONTRACTOR!
- Yes, they can. However, typically they tell you of this fee up front. If you signed nothing and approved of nothing, I say 'Pay Nothing!' I have paid contractors in the past a flat rate for an estimate & was advised in advance what the fee would be. Contact your Secretary of State and/ot the Association of Builders & Contractors in your state to inquire specicifically about your states' guidelines.
- Dont pay sounds like a scam I use to subcontract
- i know they charge because otherwise they would be spending all their time going out to look at and making estimates for nothing. But usually it is about 150. to 200. dollars. That seems awful high. They are supose to let you know before coming out and then when they get ready to do the estimate get paid and then do the house estimate. They usually get paid up front.
- I would not pay, as you never signed anything stating you would pay a fee. Just send him the Bill back with a Bic Pen and tell him to stick it in his @ss, because you never agreed or signed for a fee! When I had my Landscaping business, I NEVER charged to go look and give a price or sometimes, depending on what they wanted, I give a "Ballpark Price" and explained the High/Low and why.
- To answer, yes they can charge whatever they want. Did you sign anything? If not then there's no worry. Doubt they will pursue collection, if they do, they will have no basis to collect. If you didn't sign anything most areas will not allow a mechanic's lien to be filed against your home without a signature on an acknowledgment of work completed.
- Ripped Off!!!! They should do it as part of their business. I sure wouldn't pay it. I work at large church. We have contractors in all the time to give bids. None of them charge for the service. Jobs up to and including $1,000,000.00!!!!!!!
- If you didn't sign anything then he can't charge you. There is no such thing as an implied contract because you called for his services. He has to spell out the costs in advance and have you sign a contract for his "estimate" to charge you for the service. Even if there is language in paperwork he gave you that says they charge for the estimating service, unless you signed off on the estimate saying you would pay that, it is not binding. Check your paperwork and the estimate closely, especially the BACK of the estimate. Contact a good attorney and make sure to use another, more reputable contractor to do the work.
