You can always get free estimates from outfits like Sears and Home Depot. Here’s how they often work:
The Sears estimator comes to your home, inspects everything and then gives you a detailed pep-talk about how the new equipment is __ % more efficient than the older models. And besides, the wonderful new equipment has umpteen other benefits.
Finally, he gives you a cost estimate. Let’s say it’s $7500. But he says that if you will sign on the dotted line today, you can take advantage of a special promotion, and get the installation for only $6500 — and you’ll have 24 months to pay.
You say, “Give that to me in writing, and let me research it for a few days.”
He says, “I’m glad to give it to you in writing, but the promotion expires in two days.”
He then goes back to his computer and says, “Oh, I just got a notice that there’s a new sale, and you can get the installation for only $5500. But only if you sign and make a $1000 deposit today.”
At that point, your spouse chimes in and says, “Hey, honey, that’s too good a deal to pass up. The regular price is $7500, but we can get it for $5500 if we go ahead and accept it right away.”
Exhausted by all this back-and-forth, you surrender, sign on the dotted line and give Sears a check for $1000. The estimator gives you ten pages of paperwork and says a scheduler will call you shortly.
Later in the day, you go to your computer and research the same equipment you’ve just bought from Sears. Amazon has it for $3000, with free shipping if you join Amazon Plus.
You call a local installation company, and they quote an installation price of $1500, plus cost of local permits.
So you call Sears to cancel your purchase. They say, “Sure, you may cancel. But you lose your deposit.”
In other words, you’re gonna pay another $4500 to get the installation, whether you buy from Sears or from a competitor.
Bottom Line:
Beware of the high-pressure sales tactics used by the big companies like Sears, Home Depot, etc. No matter how smart you think you are, they encounter “smart” prospects like you every day — and they can often pull the wool over your eyes!
I agree completely with Hawthorn above. If you can find a family-owned business that has been around for a long time and who can provide references, at least give them a chance to bid.