Last year I tried Wade's method with a $150 discovery call fee. It cut my tire kickers by 80% overnight. The_lisa has a point about missing hidden gems, but I've found the paid filter saves so much time I can actually help the committed clients better. That focus lets me offer sliding scales later for proven clients who hit a rough patch, which feels like a better safety net than free for all.

Yeah, the "time you lose dealing with it" part is so real. My buddy Jake bought a place with a pool, swore it'd be great. By the second year, he was just fighting algae constantly. He missed a whole camping trip last summer because the filter system crapped out. He says it feels like a part time job he pays for. Honestly, he's trying to fill it in now, says it's the biggest regret of buying that house.

Wait, you almost fell off a roof? That's a wild side effect for skipping coffee. Maybe the real fix is just not working on roofs before noon. Glad you found a balance with the water and one cup.