before or after they give theirs? before, that's sketchy AF and they want to know if they can low-ball you. after could just be interest/conversation.

I always say yes, and that I'll be getting at least 1 more (whether that's true or not).

they should never be asking you what the other bid rates were, and if they do you can tell them it isn't their business.

That was the basic response that my mother gave.

But it's good to know that our instinct on that being unprofessional was right. And by the way we had already had an estimate from another group and the guy today gave a quote more than twice the previous group did.

My parents are looking around to get a heat pump installed in the house before next summer.

If they are in this area Blue Flame has been wonderful to us.

we're likely going to go with the first group. They were professional, had a positive attitude, and felt that our furnace didn't need to be replaced along with getting the heat pump.

That sounds solid, I really like places that don't try to talk you into extra work/services

agreed, the second group said that we needed a new furnace on top of their quote of $20,000.