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The $600 framer who quoted half my bid, then called me 3 weeks later asking how to fix his sagging trusses

I mean, we all know the low bidder usually ends up paying more in the long run, but this one was something else. Back in March I quoted a garage addition in Tacoma at $11,200. This other guy comes in at $5,800. Homeowner goes with him, obviously. Fast forward to last week, the guy calls me up, says the trusses are sagging on the flat roof section, asks if I know a trick to jack them up without redoing everything. I told him to pull the drywall and check the bearing points, but he said he didn't want to 'open that can of worms.' So here's the thing: is it ever worth helping a guy like that, or do you just let them dig their own hole? I told him the only real fix is adding a steel beam and posts, which is about $2,500 in materials alone. He laughed and said he'd 'figure something out.' Has anyone else had a lowballer come back for free advice, or do you charge them double for the phone call?
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