Estimate Or Quote For Smaller Jobs?

[Retroelectric]

Hi all,
Just wondering what the general situation is with other people on smaller jobs, do you give a quote or estimate to the client before you do any work?
I understand quotes for newbuilds / rewires etc. but smaller bits like replacing smoke alarms or adding a couple of sockets to a good circuit, putting up fancy lights etc.
I get so manyf calls from people who want me to do some smaller bits but very rarely do they ask how much it will cost.
No problems so far even after I have put my bill in, but am waiting for the one that thinks it will cost them £10 and a cup of coffee.
Do others always keep the client informed before the tools come out?

 

[loz2754]

I always let the customer know what to expect to pay. For bigger jobs, that's in writing by means of a quote or estimate.
For smaller jobs it's my hourly rate plus materials.

 

[Markyd]

As above...smaller jobs hourly rate and an idea how long it will take
also tell them on the phone how much i charge before seeing the job

 

[littlespark]

I never quote for a little job, although I know myself how long it should take and what it should cost.

I may give an estimate, but it’s easy for a little job to suddenly take twice as long with unforeseen problems.

 

[brianmoooore]

Only ever given quotes for those who NEED a quote, such as for insurance purposes, etc. Everyone else had an estimate if they asked for one, with the word 'estimate' being preceded by 'rough', 'very rough', or 'very, very rough', if the job had any degree of uncertainty and likelihood of unexpected problems, as appropriate.

 

[Markyd]

I never quote for a little job, although I know myself how long it should take and what it should cost.

I may give an estimate, but it’s easy for a little job to suddenly take twice as long with unforeseen problems.

Yep them little jobs can give you a really bad bite on the backside

 

[rewireIT]

ALWAYS give expectation of price up front.