Is anything really free?
The time & expense of giving free estimates needs to be included in your overhead. Your overhead needs to be included in your prices the customer pays. So in the end the customer pays for the free estimate.

Have you ever seen the ads that say free labor with your carpet purchase? Who pays for the labor? You the customer does. It is included in the prices of the carpet they sell. So the labor really isn't free.

Free dvd player with the purchase of a big screen tv.
Purchase one pizza and get the second one free.
Free car wash with every full tank of gas.

All of these require you to purchase something to receive your free item.

Above all don't do what the most successful businesses do or you just might wake up some day and find you have become just as successful. [Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by A-Line (edited 12-14-2004).]