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This thread could possibly have been posted in 'General Discussion' as it could apply 'generally' although I'm hoping I can get some specific advice here.
I really don't have much experience in using tradesmen regarding quotes, haggling and what to expect. Right now I've got one other project for a new porch that I've posted where among other things I'm trying to find out just how much I'm supposed to pay because the difference in prices are huge!
When pricing up the materials for a new patio and fencing as if I was going to do it myself, it will come to about £700. I might be wrong but this is for paving blocks (5m x 3m area) and 5 panel fence including all the other materials such as sand, posts etc.
So far I have 2 quotes for £2600 and £3000 taking 3-4 days to complete the work. I also used a couple of online patio calculators and estimates from websites where they generally quote (excluding fencing of course) about £900 to £1200. Now I know these quotes are not based on exactly the same conditions but even still, the differences are significant.
Is there some general rule on how to go about getting the right price?
Is the tradesman expecting me to haggle with him, meaning his first price is always inflated and just tries his luck?
Right now I've just posted this job on MyBuilder.com but are they going to be expensive because they have to give the website a cut?
I'm not made of money and really have to save, so knowing that I've just paid for something that should've been 30-50% really puts me off using tradesmen. Maybe I'm just being negative especially because I really did get ripped off by a plumber one time and I have this fear. I don't want something for nothing but as long as I know that I've paid a fair price is what matters.
Are there websites that have a good and accurate (apart from this one of course) reputation for this sort of thing?
Thanks very much and hope you can help.
I really don't have much experience in using tradesmen regarding quotes, haggling and what to expect. Right now I've got one other project for a new porch that I've posted where among other things I'm trying to find out just how much I'm supposed to pay because the difference in prices are huge!
When pricing up the materials for a new patio and fencing as if I was going to do it myself, it will come to about £700. I might be wrong but this is for paving blocks (5m x 3m area) and 5 panel fence including all the other materials such as sand, posts etc.
So far I have 2 quotes for £2600 and £3000 taking 3-4 days to complete the work. I also used a couple of online patio calculators and estimates from websites where they generally quote (excluding fencing of course) about £900 to £1200. Now I know these quotes are not based on exactly the same conditions but even still, the differences are significant.
Is there some general rule on how to go about getting the right price?
Is the tradesman expecting me to haggle with him, meaning his first price is always inflated and just tries his luck?
Right now I've just posted this job on MyBuilder.com but are they going to be expensive because they have to give the website a cut?
I'm not made of money and really have to save, so knowing that I've just paid for something that should've been 30-50% really puts me off using tradesmen. Maybe I'm just being negative especially because I really did get ripped off by a plumber one time and I have this fear. I don't want something for nothing but as long as I know that I've paid a fair price is what matters.
Are there websites that have a good and accurate (apart from this one of course) reputation for this sort of thing?
Thanks very much and hope you can help.