Does signing an "estimate" obligate you to get this particular service?

[Mike 03]

Last week I received a warning from my Home Owner's Association to have two dead trees removed from my property, and I called a vendor that had done good work for me in the past and asked for an estimate and that the trees be removed.

They sent an estimator out and he performed an estimate, which I initialed (approved).

But after that, they have told me that they have more important jobs to do than remove my trees. They have also not returned my phone calls and emails.

I need to have these trees removed before a deadline in early August or I will receive fines from my Home owner's Association.

I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place. If the company that initially says they will do the work fails to give me any indication they will do what they said they would do, can I seek help from another vendor?

Is an estimate a legal document?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Kali]

1. does the estimate have a date for the work on it?

fuck them, hire somebody else

if you need to cover your ass send them a paper letter with a deadline to respond or do the work or you will hire someone else, but I wouldn't bother

an estimate isn't a contract for work, unless you signed something else that was a contract

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. An estimate is just that - an estimate. Not a contract.

Have they said it that arrogantly, "We have more important jobs to do than remove your trees" or have they said "We're booked up right now and can't get there in time for you to get your trees by the deadline"?

I always like to ask because someone's visceral emotional reaction is another person's clearly-stated and sensitive negative answer.

But given that they won't return your emails or phone calls doesn't speak well for them, either. Unless you're getting abusive about it, in which case I see them ignoring it. But since you're a past customer, one would think they'd be more intentional about keeping you happy.

I'd say call someone else - you're running out of time, and clearly you're barking at a dead dog, or whatever the phrase is.

[flvegan]

3. How old is it?

Sometimes an estimate is a contract for services with a caveat that the final amount might be different than what's on the estimate. Normally, if it will vary by a certain percentage, they have to get additional approval. By the sounds of it, it would be worth having an attorney take a half hour to tell you for sure.