What a Free Estimate Visit Looks Like With Inventive

What happens when you call, what we look at when we come out, what the estimate includes and what it does not. No pressure, no surprises.

Most people have had at least one bad experience with a contractor's estimate: someone who did not show, a number scribbled on a card, or a visit that turned into a pitch. We do it differently, and since "free estimate" is a promise we make on every page of this site, it is fair to explain exactly what it means. Here is what happens from the first call to the written number.

The first call

When you call (863) 633-5499 or send the contact form, we ask what you want done, where the house is, and when works for you. For small handyman lists, we may be able to give you a rough sense of the range over the phone, and we will ask for photos if that helps. For anything bigger, a bathroom, a kitchen, flooring, exterior work, we come out. We serve all of Polk County, from Lakeland to Lake Wales, and the surrounding communities.

The visit

Angel or a member of our crew comes to the house at the agreed time. The visit is a walkthrough, not a presentation. We look at the work you called about, ask questions about how you use the space and what you want the result to be, and measure. We also look at what is around the work, because a bathroom remodel that ignores a soft floor, or a paint job over failing stucco, is not a favor to anyone. If we see something you did not call about, we point it out and let you decide.

A typical handyman-list visit takes twenty or thirty minutes. A remodel walkthrough takes longer, and for a kitchen or bathroom we may come back a second time with samples or to confirm measurements once you have made choices.

What we need from you

• Access to the areas involved, including the attic or under a sink if relevant.
• A sense of your priorities. If budget is the constraint, say so, and we will build the estimate around what matters most.
• Any inspiration photos or product choices you have made. They save a round of guessing.
• Honesty about past repairs. Knowing that the shower was regrouted twice tells us something about what is behind the tile.

The written estimate

You get a written estimate, itemized by the work involved, with the materials and the labor laid out so you can see what each part costs and decide what to include. It is a real number for the scope we discussed, not a range off a screen. If something cannot be known until a wall is open, such as the condition of a subfloor, we say so and explain how that is handled if it comes up. Our post on change orders explains how we deal with surprises without surprising you.

How we price

Handyman work is priced by the visit and the list, so bundling several small items into one trip is the most economical way to use us. Remodels and larger repairs are priced by the scope, with materials at cost and the labor for each part shown. When you choose a more expensive tile or a different fixture partway through, the estimate is updated in writing and you see the difference before it is ordered. There is no separate charge for the visit, the measurements or the follow-up questions.

What the estimate is not

It is not a commitment. You can take it, compare it, sit on it or decline it. We do not call repeatedly, and we do not use a discount that expires tonight. If you are comparing estimates, our post on getting an accurate remodeling estimate explains how to compare them on the same scope, since the lowest number is often the one that left the most out.

Licensed and insured, and what that means for you

Inventive Home Improvement is licensed and insured. That means if something goes wrong on your property, it is covered, and the work is done by people accountable to a license. It is worth asking anyone you invite into your home to confirm the same; our post on what licensed and insured means explains why it matters.

After you say yes

We schedule the work, confirm the material choices, order what needs ordering and give you a start date and an expected duration. Small jobs are often done the same week. Remodels are scheduled with a start and finish and an honest account of the days the room will be out of service. Then the work gets done right the first time, which is the whole point.

Ready to start? Request a free estimate or call (863) 633-5499. See the full range of our handyman, repair and remodeling services.

Frequently asked questions

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