On larger jobs that will last more than a day or are expected to be more than $2000.00, we do give free estimates. All other work is performed at time and material. There is a one-hour minimum charge no matter what. We currently charge $225 for the first hour, after that it drops down to $176.00 per hour and is billed in quarter-hour increments, plus material and equipment charges.
An estimate does not lower your cost, it is essentially you buying insurance that the cost will not exceed a predetermined amount for a defined scope of work, and it must be priced considering worst case scenario. The greater the unknowns will cause the price to be greater.