Over a week later Eric Richard responded with an email that began, "Sorry this took so long. I have been busy and also trying to get an accurate number on the shrubs..." Attached was a quote that was about 40% higher than I expected. The quote came on a Friday and on the following Monday I responded that, "We're not close on the estimate. I'd like to talk with you about the details." I added nine specific questions. The first of which started with, " I'd like to talk about,...the number of square feet of paving that will be done. You have 230 sq ft and I'm expecting closer to 155 to 160 sq ft." I also had a number of other comments such as asking for the size and cost of the individual plants that he was proposing to plant and a layout of the planting. I also asked why he was adding extra costs such as a disposal fee (for which he included a sales tax) when he also stated that "Owner is responsible for garbage. This will be put into bags". I closed my response to his quote by stating that, "I think much of the difference would come down once we agree on the area of the paving but this is what we need to discuss." I asked him to call me so we can meet or talk on the phone the following day. He didn't call that Monday, or Tuesday, or Wednesday. On Wednesday evening I called and when he didn't answer I left a message for him to call me. Two hours later, after he didn't call I sent him an email asking, "I am disappointed that you have been unresponsive. Are you interested in doing this work?" An hour later at 10 pm, I received an incoherent response from Eric Richard stating, "I am not interested. I am very appalled how someone questioned me in every aspect of my estimate. I am not interested in sitting down to discuss how I came up with what I did." He added that, "...please seek other estimates and don't waste my time." He also conceded that, "I did make an error in putting the disposal fee in the material column. I do make errors." Despite this, he concluded by stating that, "...please call some else because my price is what I gave you." and added that, "I hope I answered all your questions and wish you luck!!!!" The bottom line was that no, he didn't answer my first question. That question was why was he proposing a 230 sq ft walkway...which would have been a six foot wide walkway to my front door from my driveway. Yes, he does make errors. I can only conclude that when you want to hide what you've done, you have something to hide.