Should I give bids/estimates at no charge?

Really good topic and its something to deeply consider . 

I have lost count on how many estimates I've spent days or hours communicating with potential customer and educating on how process works and what to steer away from , just to hear " i found someone cheaper "  . Yes I do get discouraged but I also think of all the wins we get. 

I would also consider the market , are you in a big city with a saturated competition market ? 

How many pros Offer same service you do ?  

Are you giving detailed estimates with what theyll need to buy down to the last fastener or etc ? 

If im getting a big job done like an addition or remodeling , I would like as much information as possible and wouldn't mind a consultation fee . But if im getting my fence done or driveway redone , I dont need too much detail and would expect free estimates . ,( but thats just me ) 

Our company does free estimates but we have estimating crews so we give alot of estimates and doesn't take time away from projects but if youre having to take time away from what you're working on , I would charge a fee . For example my job is to give estimates all day everyday and my crews handle the job. So jobs we win make up for mytime invested .