You should not give new clients bids without seeing the job first. Us as contractors will know the work that will need to go into the job. The customer will not know what to look for and what extra work might need to be done. We do let them know a price range and make sure that they know that the price depends on the job and what work needs to be done.
I get people all the time that want me to “just give them an estimate over the phone”… and I flat out refuse. I do concrete, and there are too many variables that can make the price higher or lower, and I just don’t think it is worth taking the chance. They can give me all the dimentions, even, and if the pour is not accessable by a concrete truck, then I will need a pump truck, and thats around $1,000. See what I mean. I just prefer to put my boots on the ground and my eyes on the project.
I suggest never give a bid (a price) over the phone, some home owners will try because they want an idea, also there are many details foreseen and unforeseen involved in remodeling, which some homeowners are unaware of until you actually point it out to them face to face. New client or old client.
When we first talk over the phone we usually
Talk about budgeting the project
And we can only give ballpark
Then after meeting the clients talking about the project, options, materials and creating a sketch/3d rendering
We prepare a proposal that will reflect the details, scope of work and price
We gurney that price is solid on that project.