We are working on going to a system where we charge for the estimate and no phone quotes. Currently we are selective on phone quotes. If they tell us that Mr X (the 27 truck guy in Atlanta) has quoted already, we freely give a phone quote and get the job 100% of the time. Referrals and existing customers also get a phone quote. New customers sometimes get a ballpark, but mostly get a paid estimate. This has been working fine, but we need consistency. One problem with $39 or even $49 for an estimate is that it doesn't even cover our cost, but you take the good with the bad.
