Paid a guy $500 for a 'quick' deck quote and got a sketch on a napkin

I was trying to get a deck built off my back porch and this contractor came highly recommended from a friend. He charged me a $500 'consultation and design fee' up front, which I thought was steep but he promised detailed plans and a firm quote. Two weeks later, he shows up with a literal napkin drawing of a rectangle and a number scribbled on it that was almost double my budget. No material list, no measurements, nothing about code or permits. When I asked for the detailed plans, he said the fee was for his 'expert time' and that the napkin was the concept. I'm out the cash and back to square one. Has anyone else run into these upfront 'design fees' that don't actually deliver anything you can use?

2 comments

2 Comments

abbyk1014d ago

Had a painter do something similar with a "color consultation" that was just him pointing at swatches.

grant46514d ago

My last painter, @abbyk10, did the exact same thing.