Save Money Using BBB's E-Quote

Program Allows People To Take Bids On Projects

Reported By Dennis Ferrier

POSTED: 5:25 pm CDT July 15, 2008

UPDATED: 12:17 am CDT July 16, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- At a time when every dollar counts, Nashville’s Better Business Bureau has a free program that could save people on everything from home repairs to landscaping.

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The program is called E-quote, and it’s easy to use.

Tom Fuller had a problem with the roof on his home in LaVergne. He said he needed to get it fixed but that he didn't know any of the dozens of roofing companies -- so he didn't call anyone.

Fuller instead used the BBB’s free service.

"You fill out the form, and the next thing you know, you’ve got people calling you the next morning," he said.

On the BBB’s Web site, there is a place where residents can enter their ZIP code and enter what type of service they are seeking and the BBB will send an e-mail to its members who then contact residents by e-mail or phone with a cost estimate.

Fuller instead used the BBB’s free service. On the BBB’s Web site, there is a place where residents can enter their ZIP code and enter what type of service they are seeking and the BBB will send an e-mail to its members who then contact residents by e-mail or phone with a cost estimate without having to visit homes.

About 3,500 companies all living up to BBB standards are part of the program.

"The accredited businesses, again, have been checked out by us, they’ve been in business for a minimum of a year, they’ve signed an agreement with us with 18 standards of doing business the right way. If a transaction should happen to go wrong – and it happens in business – they’ve already agreed to come to the table and work it out with you," said Leslie Baughn with the BBB.

Fuller said he was so happy with his roof work that he's using E-quote to get some of his house rewired.

"I could never have found a better contractor if it wasn’t for the Better Business Bureau," he said. "I didn’t have to be here. They came, they took care of it, left me a bill, it was done. It was a great price. It was only $125 to have this roof maintained."