It’s a balance, they might not know exactly what the job would entail until they send someone to look, and labour could double the price if it’s something ridiculous.
However, they absolutely should be able to give a ballpark, and it drives me up the wall, especially when I’ve given enough details for them to do so.
I hate it.
If you won’t even tell me how many zeroes your service is going to cost, there is an absurdly high change you’re going to be wasting your engineer’s time doing a visit.
“How much for a 12000 BTU on the ground floor with electrical already run?”
“Well sir, we can’t give an accurate number yet, as we need to send someone out”
“Not even a ballpark?” “I’m afraid not sir”
Which led me to investigating what I could do myself…Turns out, they now make self-install units for about £600.
Or Costco sell a better brand one including fitting for £1500.