Q: Do you provide FREE estimates?
Of course we do. BUT, only 1) over the phone on our initial contact when we first speak, or 2) after being paid-for a Site visit as part of our Minimum Service Call fee. So, yes we do not charge you for an estimate, BUT we must charge for any driving time or travel costs if we come to your home. The HIGHEST value we have to offer, is our knowledge and experience, and that is what we give for FREE to our prospective customers. So take advantage of it, give us a call to discuss your project(s). Then if appropriate/possible, we will provide you an estimate on that phone call. If not, you may need to pay us to come to your home for an evaluation, but the estimate is free.
Q: What is your Minimum Service Call Fee?
Our Minimum Service Call charge is a flat fee, each customer must pay for our coming to your home. It covers the round trip driving time and vehicle expense (Fuel, Insurance, depreciation, maintenance, etc.).
In Wyoming, we both enjoy the wide open spaces and ability to live without congestion, but it also comes at a price – travel required to go to town for groceries, gas, medical treatments, entertainment, and yes, Services. Well, you cannot bring your home to us, so we have to come to your home. Just part of doing business. But this cost has to be paid for by each customer.
As of Feb 2024, below are our service Areas Zones and the Minimum Service Call Fee for each. They vary due to distance of driving required. Your home Location dictates the $ fee.
If your home is located near:
- Cody, or Clark = your Minimum Service Call charge will be $200
- Powell, Meeteetse, Wapiti, North Fork or South Fork = your Minimum Service Call charge will be $250
- Greybull, Basin, Lovell, Cowley = your Minimum Service Call charge will be $300
- Worland and Thermopolis = your Minimum Service Call charge will be $400
These Minimum Service Call fees cover ONLY travel expenses, NOT work performed on site.
Simply put, we have to pay our employees while they are driving, and for all of the wear and tear on our vehicles, fuel, insurance and maintenance. So naturally we pass those costs on to customers. The Minimum Service Call charge covers all of these expenses, and permits a fair charge for coming to your home.
Then once on site, we charge you at our appropriate hourly rate, depending on which technician and what type of work we perform. This, in addition to the Minimum Service Call Charge which only covers round trip travel expenses.
When you call and we discuss your planned project, we will discuss the Minimum Service Call Fee, and if we are to come to your home, we will send you an invoice which you can pay online, instantly, and then we will schedule your Service Call appointment time.
Of course, before sending you the Service Call invoice, we will also provide on the phone, a ballpark estimate of the expected project cost too, if appropriate, or possible. That is the only “FREE Estimate” we can provide, obviously, is a quick non-binding one, over the phone.
Once you hire us to come to your home for a Service Call, then we can provide a more accurate Ballpark Estimate range to you, once there on site and in person.
Q: Do you Work all year round?
Of course we do – our workers’ bills come in year round. In Wyoming, we are in an EXTREME weather region that occasionally interferes with our ability to work. However, there is rarely good reason to schedule around the weather or the time of the year. We will not compromise on the weather and take it into account on every project.
Q: What is your availability for start dates?
We operate on “first come-first served” basis, however; we need to keep a constant, consistent workflow for our employees. So, depending on what type project you have, and our obligations at the time, we can give you a good idea when we speak. For emergencies, we can often respond within an hour!
Q: Are you licensed and insured?
Yes we have a Cody Residential General Contractor’s license (#1894), and Also a Cody Master Plumbing Contractor license (#719).
We carry a million dollar general liability policy as well as all workers compensation coverage.
Q: How do we get started?
Call, text or email us. We will ask you a number of questions to gather necessary information about you, your home and your plans. If it is a good fit, we will proceed to the next step, whatever that may be as appropriate to your project.
Q: Do we need to move out during construction?
Most likely, not. Out of thousands of projects in 35 years we have only had a handful of customers relocate for the duration of the project. Obviously, it can get a little inconvenient if we are tearing out your only bath and you will be without a bathroom for several weeks. However, our crews are the best in the business at minimizing the unavoidable intrusion into your daily lives. We realize that our job is in your home, not just in a vacant building, and although it is our worksite, it is your home.
Q: What is a “low-ball” bid?
A low-ball bid that is grossly insufficient, whether provided by an unscrupulous contractor trying to entice you to sign up with him, or by an incompetent contractor who has overlooked many unavoidable costs, it will have the same negative impact on you if you sign up with either of them. Remember the old adage, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” You won’t know you have been a victim of a low-ball bid until it is too late. When considering any bids use your common sense in judging the bidding contractor’s thoroughness and professionalism. Also, note that a low bid may be due to not having insurance and licensing in place, which, can ultimately fall on the homeowner if something goes wrong and a worker or visitor is injured. Your homeowner’s insurance will likely NOT cover such since the contractor should have provided that coverage. Leaving you, holding the bag in court.
Q: How do I know your price is fair?
This is a difficult thing for homeowners to judge. You will find no comfort in collecting a slew of different bids, as those prices will inevitably be all over the board. This leaves you with, trust. To summarize, you should find a trustworthy contractor as soon as possible and engage them.
Q: Have you done projects like mine?
Cook Bros. has completed remodeling projects of all types for homeowners. In Wyoming, we do not intend to do large scale Design/Build type remodeling projects like we do in Virginia. It is important to have a good fit between you and your contractor. If his average job size is $300K, how interested will they be in your $15K Window replacement project? Use your common sense and check them out before hiring them. Make sure they are a “good fit” for you and your project or keep on looking.
Q: Who will be in charge of my project?
This is one of the most important determinants of the success or failure of your project – Skilled communications and competent management.
Cook Bros. ‘ construction management staff is on top of your project from start until finish. Your project is tracked daily by the office staff. Getting management’s attention and responsiveness is not usually a problem for Cook Bros. customers.