Why we charge, When we charge, and What you can expect.
One of the most common questions we hear on the phone is, "You don'tt do free
estimates?, but the job is only a small repair!"
In some cases that is absolutely right. Estimates vary greatly and there is a big difference between an insurance estimate for moisture related damage and an all out renovation. However, there are many factors that more often than not get overlooked if the company doesn't take the time to conduct a proper estimate because after all he/she is doing it for free.
Lets face it, the time it takes to drive to your home from our shop in Virginia Beach, VA and the time it takes to drive back might add up to an additional 30 minutes or more (and don’t forget about fuel and wear & tear on the vehicle). Then, to work up an estimate for you, we have to come back to the office and figure out the prices for materials and labor that will go into your project. This may take another 30 minutes or more. Once the numbers are crunched, the estimate is either printed (cost of paper & ink) and mailed (envelope and stamp) or emailed. If it is a more complex estimate that requires a design or project management, another 24 hours could go into that and much more ink and paper to print out project documents. After an estimate and/or design is completed we schedule a second meeting to come back and explain what we have come up with.
In a nut shell, we only charge $50 standard fee for all non-maintenance estimates. When an estimate is free: We will provide you with an estimate for free if we are hired to do the work. Cash or a check for $50 is due at the initial visit. The estimate fee will be deducted off of the final bill as a $50 credit. Estimates are good for 90 days only, however your $50 credit will always be available towards a job if you should decide to wait.
MAINTENANCE ESTIMATES ARE FREE. This means if you want us to tell you how much it will be to maintain your home or property we will give you a quote rate for free. This is because this kind of estimate is a general estimate; we charge hourly for that service.
Existing Customers: We never charge existing customers for estimates.
Why is charging for estimates good for you? Charging allows us to be more attentive to our customers needs and allows us extra time to examine and explain any problems or concerns as well as express any creative design ideas. We love to get a feel for the style of the homeowner and what their expectations are. It also allows us to take fewer appointments in a day. This benefit is passed on to you by having a smiling, professional at your door instead of a road raged, rushed, overworked technician. You can expect our technicians to be professional, trustworthy and honest and at all times. Should you get anything less, please call the office and ask to speak to Rob Santana.
Other Companies: There are other EIFS / Stucco companies that perform free estimates. These companies are often running around giving a ton of estimates. They spend a lot of time working up jobs they will never do-and since they know this-they do not put their best efforts towards details and realistic prices. When you call us my company we know you are serious about your project and we know you want nothing but the best.
I have heard many customers in the 20+ years I've been in business complain that a company did not show up or showed up hours late. That is probably because a paying customer called and wanted the same time slot and so they followed the money. Do you blame them? Here at Modern Wall Systems , if you are paying for that appointment slot, that is the same as a reservation and we will show up within the time frame specified. (there are certain circumstances which the technician can be late, but we will do our best to let the customer know as soon as possible.)
Another problem that customers have when dealing with companies with free estimates, is qualifications, many of these companies do not have certified or experienced technicians or references, so even though they have a free estimate, they suddenly find they don't trust it.
Curious Customers: For customers who are just curious what a service would cost and are at the beginning of their research process, you are more than welcome to call our office; we may be able to get you a loose cost estimate on a job you are planning, depending on if know specifics of what you want. You are also welcome to fax over another companies estimate and we could write up the estimate with our prices-we’ll do our best to beat it! (please keep in mind that A: We do not always guarantee the lowest price, just the best job. And B: We will not accept any job that we have not personally seen, this is just a service for the curious shopper).
Bottom Line: Time is money. Make sure you are compensated for yours.
Recently America has witnessed a movement sweeping the country unlike anything we as a people have seen since the civil rights movement. As a business person, father and concerned citizen I must say that I think this protest was long overdue. Whether or not the movement will have any significant impact on the political or banking systems remain to be seen but I for one certainly hope so.
Quite frankly I agree with alot of what I'm hearing from the protesters across the country and I can't understand why some political folk are so adamantly against their form of expression. This is America last time I checked, you know-land of the free, home of the brave.
I'm no economic or political scholar, not by a long shot, but what I do know is that I personally know many people who have been "just getting by" for what seems like forever. A shame, especially when you think of all the opportunities available to us in this country. It' is true that there is no place like home and that only in America can we succeed in doing what we love to do. Whether it's landscaping, real estate, law, whatever. The fact is that if we get an education, work hard and stay focused on our objectives we can be successful. Granted, we won't all make it rich, but at least the opportunity is there.
Of course I have a better chance at getting rich- simply because of the line of work I'm in- than a 5th grade teacher or a police officer, service member or even a postal worker, but we all know that everyone can't be rich. After all who will we pay to do the things we don't want to do or are unable to do ourselves; like replacing a transmission for example. My point is that more often than not the people who deserve the best of what this country has to offer invariably get far less money for their service.
We live in a country that rewards hard work and steadfast commitment on the one hand yet on the other we pay top dollar for superficiality. Just ask Kim Kardashian, or any big league ball player. I'm blessed to have a career I'm proud of and one that enables me to take care of my family but it is getting increasingly more difficult these days to make a significant profit due to the fact that there is not a whole lot of money flowing in the residential or commercial construction industry.
I only hope that we as a country get back to where we need to be so that all Americans can benefit and not just the super rich.
Virginia Roofing, located in Virginia Beach , Virginia, is a subsidiary of Modern Wall Systems, and is a full service roofing contractor. Our clients include homeowners, business owners, contractors, and investors. The main goals are to take care of our customers, maintain good relationships, and provide superior customer service. Many of today’s corporate businesses have let customer service and quality become second in order to make an extra dollar. Anyone can replace a roof; Virginia Roofing serves the customer by doing it at an affordable rate at the customer's convenience.
Virginia Roofing believes in the American dream; this is a family-owned and operated business that is driven by a passion for the roofing industry. The company values the employees and strives to provide them with cutting edge tools and technologies of the trade.
We offer special rates for real estate agents in the Hampton Roads area so give us a call if you need a roof repair or a roof replacement. We don't always offer the lowest price, but we do offer the best repair or installation.
Full service specialty contractor specializing in EIFS, Stucco, Stone Veneer Systems, Metal Framing, Hanging and Finishing Sheetrock. National
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