Free Estimates

Posted by Kristin Abraham May 21, 2007

Being both a writer and a decorative painter I find that people often want a sample of my work before they hire me. I totally understand their point of view and I think my personal stance on this works well for me but I know this is a controversial area for a lot of people.

I am always willing to give writing samples to someone if they're looking to hire me for a writing job. But I rarely will write something according to their specifications without receiving some sort of compensation.

When it comes to painting I always give clients free estimates, which includes a consult on their room and what techniques we can do and what colors would work well. Usually I'll then create a sample board for them of the technique and use colors similar to what they want. But I wont go out and buy paint colors that they have suggested. I'm not going to sink money into the project before I'm sure I've even got the job. And its always good to have them review a technique before I buy the paint.

My theory is that if they like me and my ideas they'll hire me. And I almost always get the job, but not always. I'm totally aware that the home owner could take my ideas and my color selections and do the project themselves but I tend to believe most of them won't do that and if they do I console myself by imagining them doing it wrong because they don't have my experience. But on more than one occassion I've had to go to someone's home and fix their do-it-yourself project. So even if they take my expertise and use it to do the project themselves it doesn't necessarily mean I've lost the job.