Paid the $69 + tax minimum trip charge today to learn that it costs $275 for Michael & Son to hang a ceiling fan. Asked the office. "How much does it cost to hang a ceiling fan?" They would not not provide an estimate. "Talk to the tech."
So they had the tech (Joe) call me and tell me that he could not provide a price nor a price range until he saw the job in person. His "minimum trip charge" would apply to any other costs, and that he's got great reviews and he'll be "on my side" and that we'd be very happy with his work.
Well now he's seen the job and quoted about double what Home Depot or Lowe's would charge to do the same job.
Some of their customers are happy. Others are not. I'm in the second camp.
Rip off alert. Demand a price estimate / price range before you let them into your home. Or call another company who will.
Follow-up note. After requesting that they reduce the charge from $74 to $29 (their previous price for an estimate), they instead offered to refund the entire amount. Advice stands. Demand a price estimate / price range for a service before you let them into your home. Or call another company that will.