At my wits end on how to get a quote?

Sandals · 25 Nov 2015

I dont know what Im doing wrong and was curious to know your thoughts on this.
Ive been doing up a flat, on my own, for the last three years and have on numerous occasions asked different trades to come and quote on jobs for me. In general the jobs are approx around the £1K mark. Most of the time I don't get any quotes back, and the trades dont return my calls.

I have finally found a good plasterer, electrician and plumber, who seem more then happy to come back to do other jobs and we alway get on well. Im now in the process of trying to find a good joiner/carpenter and have hit the same problem again. Had two seperate people come in and shown alot of interest in the job but now radio silence. They promised quotes in two weeks, I gave them three. Ive sent each a gentle text and then after a couple of days left phone messages. I have been polite, accomodating and they can see by the ongoing work in my flat that Im not a time waster. So the question is what am I doing wrong.

As this is an on going pattern I think there must be a secret that I just dont know and Im at my wits end. Have any of you got any clues?

HERTS P&D · 25 Nov 2015

What are you doing wrong? You must be giving off bad vibes.

Andy

seasickstevie · 26 Nov 2015

HERTSDRAINAGE2010 said:
You must be giving off bad vibes.

That's a bit harsh!

Perhaps everyone's just too busy ... although that doesn't excuse them putting you in the picture.

Might seem trivial, but I think it's worth putting the kettle on when someone arrives to look at a job. That way they might just be 'warmed' to the idea of working there, as opposed to some other job where they're left to cater for themselves.
Small detail, but when I look at a job, that sort of thing can have a small influence on whether I want to spend more time there or not.

Sandals · 26 Nov 2015

Thanks SNM.....kettle is always on and tea and coffee offered.....I think I might have worked out what it is. I tend to know exactly what I want and normally have a drawing and material spec to hand (but always make it clear that I happy to change stuff if they think it can be done better another way, they are the experts). I would have thought this made a job easier, but folk might see that as being more trouble then its worth. Combined with me being a middle aged women with no evidence of husband this might make people think I'm just going to be hard work. Anyway I've come to the conclusion that Im going to carry out the work myself, cheaper, less hassle and probably quicker then chasing for the quotes. Its a shame as it was my treat to myself after slogging through a three year refurb.

ree · 26 Nov 2015

When they arrive act like an average householder and not someone who knows a bit about the work at hand. Why would "a middle aged women" have a drawing and specs? Its the reality even if its a wrong perception.
I've encountered women fronting for prices for their tradesmen husbands.

Dont start asking how they would do the job - they are not free instructors. Just say what you want and dont keep adding to it and asking various prices.

Any indication that they might be in a line of quoting trades will put many off.

In busy areas esp. London it costs money and energy to merely go somewhere to give a quote.

ntb · 26 Nov 2015

I'd say you've correctly identified the issue. It would definitely trigger alarm bells with me unless it was repeat business and I knew you were ok.

Sandals · 27 Nov 2015

Wow, so I have to play dumb in order to be trusted? Are you sure or am I just misunderstanding whats being said here I do hope at least its not because Im a women, and its just the bit about knowing what I want and having drawings. If so Im gobsmacked, I thought that we'd all gotten past that.
Just think how many jobs are being ignored and money being lost by folk turning up their noses at solid work.
Anyway I dont have to worry about it any more as like I said Im going to do it myself. Ive laid floors and installed kitchens so a bit of built in bench seating, cupboards, shelving and a table isnt going to phase me. Best check out the black friday deals on table saws, start ordering that ply and pulling together a cutting list.....

Thanks for all you thoughs on this. At least Ill know what to do next time. A bit of this

, some

and a touch of this

.

ntb · 27 Nov 2015

Nothing to do with your gender. It would be exactly the same response if you were male. It screams know it all that will question everything and make the job twice as hard by suggesting or insisting on things that may work but may not be the best or most efficient way.

FiremanT · 27 Nov 2015

Did you not post in a similar vein a few months ago. Maybe with a different name?

ntb · 27 Nov 2015

Dunno. Definitely not with another name. Why?

FiremanT · 27 Nov 2015

LOL. I was talking to the OP.

ntb · 27 Nov 2015

I'm easily confused. It must be my age. I'll probably start to small of wee soon.

seasickstevie · 28 Nov 2015

As long as it's only small

bear2015 · 28 Nov 2015

Problem I think most people forget we have been working all day like you. But our day does not end there we then have to go out in the evening to quote on a job, go back home price it up send a quote and more often then not we never hear anything back. I try to do my quotes within a couple of days but a lot of people will not reply. Some haggle, some want cash only price, others get your quote then start adding bits or will buy cheap quality materials and expect us to work miracles with a B&Q 99p bargain bucket job and want it to look a million dollars at the end of it. Its not because of gender but I can tell within 30 secs if the person is serious or whether they are just "pricing up" Don't be disheartened it happens to both sides

oph · 28 Nov 2015

Ive been to loads of jobs where you don't ever get any feedback through. Its the ones who start off by asking how much is it to get my boiler serviced/landlords gas check. how about starting off with ' can I book it in please'?

Pains me when I'm 10 pounds more than another bloke when the f-ing morons have spent 15 pounds on their phone bill trying to save 10 !!!!

At my wits end on how to get a quote?

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