Many home improvement companies offer services such as evaluations which they then come out and insect what you want done, they then take that information back to their office or wherever thy are going to analyse it and then come up with an estimate of a price. All companies should offer free estimates and there is no way that you should pay for one, people that ask for payment are generally scammers and should not be let off with it, whatever you do, do not give these people money as you will never see them again! Home improvement estimates are a great way of seeing how much money you should be paying for a job that you want done, if several companies come back with roughly the same figure then you know that is generally how much you should be paying. Always make sure you get several different quotes. If not then you could be paying to much for a job that may be only costs half the amount that you are paying.