Definitely pays to shop around

Calling only 3 contractors for most things isn't enough.
For big jobs I've done things like call 10 places. I had a boiler installed just from shopping around. Most places wanted 5-6k with a couple crazy ones that want 8 or 10k. But I got one at 4k and then one more at 3.5k. If I hadn't called around, probably would have ended up paying 5k for it. No issues with the 3.5k install, still working years later.
 
Just had six pecan trees removed. First guy was close to $1000 per tree. Second guy came in at about half of that. He also came highly recommended by several neighbors that he has done work for. He did a great job and my wallet took less of a hit.
 
For big jobs I've done things like call 10 places. I had a boiler installed just from shopping around. Most places wanted 5-6k with a couple crazy ones that want 8 or 10k. But I got one at 4k and then one more at 3.5k. If I hadn't called around, probably would have ended up paying 5k for it. No issues with the 3.5k install, still working years later.
Yes. I also recommend 10-12 places. Only calling 3 you can easily get 3 bad ones.

My example of this is with roofing. 11 out of 12 wanted to replace the whole roof, but I knew that it only needed a repair. Once I found someone who would do a repair, they did it. That was in 2003. I still have that roof on my house and it's working fine.
 
Happy home owner here.


TL; DR. I called 3 people to cut down a tree. Highest was $1100. Lowest was $675. All are insured and experienced operations. Read last paragraph too.

We have a massive silver maple about 40’ from the house. It’s a pretty and healthy tree, but it’s a junk tree too as stuff always falls from it. The root system is every bit as big as the crown and it’s starting to come over the house so it has to go.

I called 3 places. I wanted a price for just dropping it. I can do the cleanup. There’s power lines around and it’s in a tight area with landscaping otherwise I could do the job with a saw and a 24” bar.

First place came out right away for a quote. Had great reviews on google. First google result. Nation wide company. $1100. The guy seemed to know his stuff and was confident would create issues for the house.

I called guy 2 who was recommended by a guy who’s doing tree trimming for the power company. (Also met with him for an unrelated issue.) He never called back.

I called guy 3 because I wanted a second opinion and it was over 24 hrs for guy 2. He said he’d be out in an hour. Ended up being just under 3 hours late. Ended up costing $800.

Meanwhile, guy 2 calls and says he’s 10 mins away while I’m waiting on guy 3. What a mess... They ended up missing each other by about 10 mins. He was $675.

Looking back, I probably shouldn’t have called guy 3 and wasted his time. Then again, if he was cheaper, I would have gone with him. I wanted another opinion and there’s nothing wrong with shopping around I guess.

When it comes to getting quotes, what’s a fair thing to do? How many people would you get quotes from before giving somebody th
 
After talking to other folks here … found a guy who works with one helper. He was a fair amount cheaper and always willing to cut up some good burning pit sized oak … haul off the small stuff. He’s got an older truck but puts his money in nice Stihl saws - climbing gear etc … (they use lineman’s boots/belts for tall palms) …
 
After talking to other folks here … found a guy who works with one helper. He was a fair amount cheaper and always willing to cut up some good burning pit sized oak … haul off the small stuff. He’s got an older truck but puts his money in nice Stihl saws - climbing gear etc … (they use lineman’s boots/belts for tall palms) …
I will only caution to make sure that they have insurance. Ask to see the certificate and call up the insurance company to make sure it's active. I had one tenant that was helping out someone cutting down a tree. That's what he normally did and somehow his helper didn't hold the rope tight enough and he fell. Broke over 50 bones in his body, sounds like his heals were really bad, way up into his foot. Medical bills over 1 million and over a year before he's out of the hospital. He's suing the homeowner.
 
I will only caution to make sure that they have insurance. Ask to see the certificate and call up the insurance company to make sure it's active. I had one tenant that was helping out someone cutting down a tree. That's what he normally did and somehow his helper didn't hold the rope tight enough and he fell. Broke over 50 bones in his body, sounds like his heals were really bad, way up into his foot. Medical bills over 1 million and over a year before he's out of the hospital. He's suing the homeowner.
License requires insurance (wife‘s knows agent) … company has been licensed since 1997.
Without this there would be dozens of bad services … we have only 4 … Power line providers bring in larger out of town companies with bucket trucks
 
License requires insurance (wife‘s knows agent) … company has been licensed since 1997.
Without this there would be dozens of bad services … we have only 4 … Power line providers bring in larger out of town companies with bucket trucks
Yes, but insurance expires and they don't automatically pull the license when that happens. But if it's a large company should still be in force. That's standard for asking for the insurance certificate so you can call the insurance company and make sure it's still valid.
 
The guy from the power company had no interest in it.
Yes, its a big country and many utilities. For example, on Long Island NY you will be responsible if you cut down a tree near a power line and damage it.
But if. you call them, they will take the tree down for you to a point below the power line at no cost.
 
Yes, its a big country and many utilities. For example, on Long Island NY you will be responsible if you cut down a tree near a power line and damage it.
But if. you call them, they will take the tree down for you to a point below the power line at no cost.
Yeah … see some Y-trees here because the owner left it that way after (power line providers) crews kept the wire clear of limbs … they look pretty bad like that …
 
I don't have a set amount of quotes. I use my judgement as to how much I think the quote should be too. Recently the fuel pump went out on my mom's Grand Marquis in an area I didn't know but one mechanic in but got other word of mouth recommendations from friends. First quote was from a recommendation at $250 labor for the pump replacement. Second quote was from the person who had done work for me before. His quote was $150-200. Third quote was a recommendation from a church member/preacher where we go to church, his quote was $60. I had the car towed to #3 over the Christmas/New Years holidays and he told me beforehand he took off 2 days at Christmas and 2 days for New Years and had other work already scheduled before me but he got the job done in a timely manner. Had this happened during the summer I'd probably have changed it myself. The person who did quote one quoted me $200. to do a timing belt only a '97 Escort, the person who did quote three quoted me $100. for the same job. Number 3 is going to be doing my timing belt as soon as I get the chance to get the car to him. All quotes are me furnishing parts and them doing labor.
 
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I don't have a set amount of quotes. I use my judgement as to how much I think the quote should be too. Recently the fuel pump went out on my mom's Grand Marquis in an area I didn't know but one mechanic in but got other word of mouth recommendations from friends. First quote was from a recommendation at $250 labor for the pump replacement. Second quote was from the person who had done work for me before. His quote was $150-200. Third quote was a recommendation from a church member/preacher where we go to church, his quote was $60. I had the car towed to #3 over the Christmas/New Years holidays and he told me beforehand he took off 2 days at Christmas and 2 days for New Years and had other work already scheduled before me but he got the job done in a timely manner. Had this happened during the summer I'd probably have changed it myself. The person who did quote one quoted me $200. to do a timing belt only a '97 Escort, the person who did quote three quoted me $100. for the same job. Number 3 is going to be doing my timing belt as soon as I get the chance to get the car to him. All quotes are me furnishing parts and them doing labor.

Of your 1997 Escort is anything like my 1995LX, the timing belt is one of the easiet cars to change a timing belt in.
 
I don't have a set amount of quotes. I use my judgement as to how much I think the quote should be too. Recently the fuel pump went out on my mom's Grand Marquis in an area I didn't know but one mechanic in but got other word of mouth recommendations from friends. First quote was from a recommendation at $250 labor for the pump replacement. Second quote was from the person who had done work for me before. His quote was $150-200. Third quote was a recommendation from a church member/preacher where we go to church, his quote was $60. I had the car towed to #3 over the Christmas/New Years holidays and he told me beforehand he took off 2 days at Christmas and 2 days for New Years and had other work already scheduled before me but he got the job done in a timely manner. Had this happened during the summer I'd probably have changed it myself. The person who did quote one quoted me $200. to do a timing belt only a '97 Escort, the person who did quote three quoted me $100. for the same job. Number 3 is going to be doing my timing belt as soon as I get the chance to get the car to him. All quotes are me furnishing parts and them doing labor.
Exactly … a number of years back I needed to replace a cracked to pieces driveway … (common here) …
A guy nearby had his done a few months before and spotted him in his front yard. He had taken several bids but told me about a guy who owned the cement plant & trucks and gave me his info and his closest bid contact
When he came over I learned he will be giving me extra slab because he hires the crew by the hour and does not expect them to back fill an inch or two of dirt … he’s going to send excess concrete … yet, way lower bid.
I asked for a new bid for a foot wider on each side (2’) … he just goes “same“ …
That drive is 22 years old now … still looks great but does have a few hairline cracks I need to make a plan for …
 
Of your 1997 Escort is anything like my 1995LX, the timing belt is one of the easiet cars to change a timing belt in.
In the past I've done my own timing belts but with chronic back pain and age creeping up on me if I can get it done for $100 it's worth it to me but you're right SOHC 1.9 and 2.0 Escort engines were easy to do. The worst part about the 2.0 is if you're changing the water pump you have to get the pump turned just right to get it out/get the new one in and getting the bottom radiator hose off and back on is also a pain. I usually only do the water pump every other time I replace the belt.
 
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Up here it can be $100 to $500 per tree. For that, if the tree is close to a power line, the $100 guy will scale the tree, de-limb it while his helper stacks the limbs in a trailer. He’ll then top it and let half of the tree fall, then finally takes down the lower half. The $500 guy does the same but uses a bucket truck.
I'm a100$ type of guy. I've done that to several trees in my day.
 
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