The Truth About “Free Estimates”: Somebody Always Pays

Ah, the classic free estimate—the old-school contractor’s way of tossing out their time and expertise for free, like candy on
Halloween, hoping to win a job while stranded on Hope Island with all the other contractors. We like old-school but imagine them all, eagerly
​waiting by their phones, refreshing their emails, whispering, ‘Maybe this one will call me back…’

Meanwhile, the property owner collects a stack of estimates like trading cards, only to disappear into the abyss of the Platte River, never to be heard from again. And the poor masonry contractor? Left wondering if all that time, gas, and effort was just a donation to the ‘price-shopping’ cause.

Yeah… we don’t do that.  A site visit requires windshield time, money, fuel, and more time to thoroughly assess conditions and even more time to prepare a detailed quote. Too often, this leads to, ‘we need to think about it,’ ‘we’ll be in touch,’ or ‘we’re still getting other bids’—which we actively work to avoid. 

And, we understand you may be gathering estimates and comparing prices, and we want to be upfront about how we operate. When you compare multiple quotes, what specifically are you comparing?

That’s why we’ve developed a streamlined process. An estimate is just that—an idea of what the work will cost—and for that, a site visit isn’t always necessary. With a few clear photos of the site conditions and any key details you’d like to share, we can assess the project and provide a verbal estimate far more efficiently.

And, it’s not about avoiding site visits—we do them every week—it’s about making sure they’re worth everyone’s time. We’ve found that most initial estimates don’t require one (complex restorations, require an in-depth consultation, which is a paid site visit). If you're serious about moving forward, we’re happy to come out, but we do charge for site visits, which gets credited toward the project if you move forward with us.

But, before providing any quote, we ask a series of questions to understand your project, expectations, and decision-making criteria. This helps us determine if we are the right fit before assessing any project. You can get started here.

If you’re just price shopping, we have a simple process for that. With a few clear photos and a description of the work, we can provide a verbal estimate—no wasted time on either end. We also want to be upfront about costs early on, so we can drop a realistic number and make sure our services align with your budget before either of us spends unnecessary time. This way, you understand the capital required from the start, and there are no surprises later.

Does that sound reasonable?

We understand that this may be a deviation from the traditional free estimate model you are used to encountering from other masonry contractors in Denver. But we have realized that this approach leads to a significant investment of time and resources without a guaranteed commitment from either party. We do things differently because our time is best spent on actual restoration work, not driving around to unnecessary site visits for people just comparing numbers. 

Were known for specializing in high-end restoration work (as well as general masonry repair), and our pricing reflects the level of expertise and craftsmanship we bring. If you’ve looked into who we are, you’ll know we’re not the lowest-priced option. 

Now, you might be thinking: "Why do you charge for an estimate when others offer them for free?" or "The other guys didn’t charge me to come out—why do you?" 

We get it—you're used to contractors running around giving free estimates. It's important to understand that our approach is specialized and different from most contractors, and that we do not compete on price but on quality and longevity.

But here’s the reality: we’re not like the ‘other guys.’ Our process is about ensuring both parties are invested and moving forward with purpose. And honestly, our portfolio is built on clients who valued this approach because they knew their project—and their time—truly mattered.

Now, consider this—when a masonry restoration contractor gives a ‘free estimate,’ they’re usually factoring in the cost somewhere else, whether it’s cutting corners on materials, rushing the job, or making up for wasted time. We charge for site visits because they involve expert evaluation, professional recommendations, and a clear, detailed scope of work. Do you think an engineer or architect is going to do all that for FREE?

So, the question isn’t really about why we charge—it’s about what kind of work you want done. Do you want the best possible restoration done right the first time, or just another generic bid to throw in the pile?

And if other companies already came out to look at the project, why do you still need more estimates? If they were the right fit, you wouldn’t still be shopping around.

Right?

Let me ask you something (and we hear this a lot from customers who reach out to us), but have you ever had a contractor come out for a free estimate, and then you never heard back or never even received the quote? How did or would that make you feel?

Do you know why that happens?

It’s because, after showing up, the masonry contractor realizes the job wasn’t worth their time, the client wasn’t serious, or it just wasn’t the right fit. And since they’re doing it for free, there’s no real commitment to following through. It’s like this—if there’s no commitment, there’s no real incentive to spend time on a detailed estimate for a project that is never going to happen.

Imagine this scenario: You call a contractor for a “free estimate.” He shrugs, hops in his truck, drives 45 minutes through traffic, and shows up. He looks around, half-heartedly nods, maybe kicks a brick for good measure, and says, “Yeah… I can fix this.”

Meanwhile, you—being polite—nod along, knowing deep down you’re not really ready to commit. Maybe you just wanted to “get an idea” or “see what he says.”

He leaves, never follows up. You don’t call him either. Nobody really got what they wanted. It’s like going on a blind date neither of you really cared about. You both make small talk, pretend there’s a chance, then ghost each other forever. In the end, it was just a waste of gas and good shoes.

This is why the typical ‘free estimate’ model often leads to wasted time on both sides. 

When we take on a project, we’re fully invested from start to finish. Charging for this service ensures that we’re working with serious clients, and in return, you get a thorough, professional assessment from someone who values your time as much as their own. Plus, the fee is credited toward the work if you move forward. That way, everyone is committed, and nothing gets left hanging. It's a win-win situation!  We view this as an investment in the successful realization of your project, enabling us to dedicate the necessary attention and resources to deliver outstanding results.

Does that sound fair?

Look, we pride ourselves on the accuracy and thoroughness of our estimates. When you invest in our estimating process, you're not just getting a number; you're getting a piece of our commitment to excellence.

If you would like to schedule a project assessment, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Call 720-445-9474

We are on a mission to redefine the standards of the masonry construction industry Denver and reintroduce respect into the trades.

If you're currently frantically contacting masonry companies here in Denver, solely focused on finding the lowest price, quote, estimate, or bid for the work you need, then please, don't call us! We would not be the right masonry company for you.

If you hire someone else and had to call us later to fix their mistakes, how would that make you feel?

We understand that our process is not for everyone, and were okay with that, but we believe in honesty, and it comes at a price that cheap masonry contractors cannot provide. However, we firmly believe that our approach ensures that our time together is meaningful and productive, and it demonstrates our commitment to delivering exceptional value throughout our collaboration.

Our goal is to make the process efficient for both of us, and unnecessary site visits—especially when someone is just price shopping—take valuable time away from active projects and serious clients. If you're looking for the cheapest option, we may not be the right fit, but if quality craftsmanship and longevity is your priority, we’re happy to help.