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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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parker_webb7d ago
The engineer in my area told me years ago to always put the bearing check in writing and hand it over with a card. I got burned on a deck job in 2019 where the low guy called me twice for span tables, so now when a cut rate guy calls I just say the consult is $150 an hour, two hour minimum, and it has to be paid before I roll. Funny how fast they stop calling once there is a number attached. If he wants the beam spec he can pay for it like everybody else, or he can call the inspector and get the red tag for free. Helping for free just teaches him he can underbid every job and use you as his help line.
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