Just got a few quotes for a job I want doing is it normal practice to try and "negotiate" the price down by a little bit or would the builder take this as an insult I'm assuming that they might price the job slightly higher in the event the customer may try and get the price down.
Negotiating price on quote
- Thread starter CordlessJoe
- Start date
Since you're wasting the time of all the companies you asked to quote, except for one of them, I would them all to add something to cover the cost of quoting. If they're busy, or don't particularly want your job, then they'll add some more on top, and who knows whether they'd reduce the price again if you asked them, but I don't see the point of asking for quotes if you don't then accept the price given.
Why don't you just get a recommendation from someone you know and trust, and pay that company what they ask for?
Why don't you just get a recommendation from someone you know and trust, and pay that company what they ask for?
Totally agree with that Softus.A tradesman sits down for maybe hours,works out a free quote, and then someone tries to negotiate it down lower.Once I give a quote for a job,I.stick to it.These people wouldn't like it if say, I did the opposite and added some on for no reason.
Roughcaster.
Roughcaster.
B
breezer
most annoying one "what is your best price?"
The price i just gave you, i can make it more if you like
The price i just gave you, i can make it more if you like
Thanks for coming back to me. I wasn't wasting time for asking people out to quote - i thought as i don't have anyone to recommend me a builder/plasterer for the area that i live (or rather some cant make the appointments that were organised) i was under the impression that you should get a few quotes before deciding. The only reason I asked the question in the first place is that im getting mixed answers from friends/work colleagues and as i don't know what is normal practice is I wasn't sure if the work was "marked up" as I have had this from getting a quote for a loft conversion (and because that was marked from what i had been told would have been reasonable price) and they were double that and more i was also told it could be because they didn't want the job but i couldn't understand why they would bother to turn up if they weren't interested. I was only asking as i've never done this before but obviously from what you are saying I'll take the hint! Thanks.
Forget it Cordy,it's not a problem.
Roughcaster.
Roughcaster.
the price i quote is the price i quote. i dont haggle, full stop. Its not just about price though, its also about someone who you feel you can trust to carry out the work to the standard you want. If the budget is a problem a decent tradesman should be happy to look at possible money savings in terms of spec etc.
I wasnt asking to be "cheap" (honest) just thought that as its over a few thousand (and the fact that there is a lot more work to do) but only because I actually thought that the price might have been marked up slightly. As he did mention with his quote that it might cost me a little more because i have a wall where the plaster has "blown" so dependent on that he would price that and we would go from there. Obviously I dont want it to go any higher (or not much higher) but as he has most of the jobs i have to do i guess we will just negotiate on that part. But as mentioned i could give it a try as the worst case scenario would be that he would say no anyway - nothing ventured nothing gained as the saying goes. But once again thanks for pointing in the right direction.
I spend my life quoting jobs, up to a million quid, so after spending weeks putting a price together it's a bit of a nuisance when you don't get it.
HOWEVER, there are some fairly good rules you should follow when getting a quote.
1. Make sure that all are quoting like for like - It's not only fair on everyone but also means you will get the job you expect in the end.
2. Try to get quotes itemised if possible - While getting someone to do you an itemised quote and then giving it to someone else to do cheaper is morally the same as stealing sweets from a child and blaming it on another, you should make a point of comparing individually generated itemised quotes before placing an order.
3. If they all come out with the same job but for three close but differing prices, pick the middle one! The cheapest one is generally too good to be true and the most expensive one is often not best value. The likelihood is that they're not ripping you off, just using higher spec materials or doing more remedial works to get the whole job looking perfect. You may not need this level of quality.
4. Don't be afraid to ask your builder to walk you through the project & quote. That way anything missed will be picked up and costed, rather than coming up as an extra over which everyone falls out. In this respect a one line quote is a recipe for catastrophic disaster. And you only have yourself to blame. Don't accept one line quotes!
5. Know your budget before you quote - If you have only 10 grand to spend, don't give everyone £10k to spend, but if quotes come in at £12k ask what could be omitted or down specced to fit your budget. And make sure any specific exclusions are noted in writing. That way anything which could be reasonably expected should be included. If they don't do plastering, it should say in writing 'plastering excluded'.
6. Ask for references - If you don't have any sound recommendations to work off, ask the builder for half a dozen references. And get off your behind and go visit them. You should talk to people they have worked for before, inspect workmanship, ask about working hours, punctuality, ability to stick to programme, site cleanliness, any propensity for extras, how they wanted paying, if they asked for materials in good time. All these things are ultimately far more important that the bottom line.
7. Just make sure you trust your builder - It's all very well him being a top chap but he may stick some hopeless ruffians on site to wreck your house and drink your tea. If he doesn't come through with good labour, haul him up on it. Make sure you set down some rules before you start and that he understands them.
8. If you must haggle, make sure you're basing it on sound evidence. This is why itemised quotes are the best way forward. If someone is charging £3k for something others are charging £1k, get him to justify it. Don't just ask for a discount. It never works out in the long run.
Hope this helps!
Simon
HOWEVER, there are some fairly good rules you should follow when getting a quote.
1. Make sure that all are quoting like for like - It's not only fair on everyone but also means you will get the job you expect in the end.
2. Try to get quotes itemised if possible - While getting someone to do you an itemised quote and then giving it to someone else to do cheaper is morally the same as stealing sweets from a child and blaming it on another, you should make a point of comparing individually generated itemised quotes before placing an order.
3. If they all come out with the same job but for three close but differing prices, pick the middle one! The cheapest one is generally too good to be true and the most expensive one is often not best value. The likelihood is that they're not ripping you off, just using higher spec materials or doing more remedial works to get the whole job looking perfect. You may not need this level of quality.
4. Don't be afraid to ask your builder to walk you through the project & quote. That way anything missed will be picked up and costed, rather than coming up as an extra over which everyone falls out. In this respect a one line quote is a recipe for catastrophic disaster. And you only have yourself to blame. Don't accept one line quotes!
5. Know your budget before you quote - If you have only 10 grand to spend, don't give everyone £10k to spend, but if quotes come in at £12k ask what could be omitted or down specced to fit your budget. And make sure any specific exclusions are noted in writing. That way anything which could be reasonably expected should be included. If they don't do plastering, it should say in writing 'plastering excluded'.
6. Ask for references - If you don't have any sound recommendations to work off, ask the builder for half a dozen references. And get off your behind and go visit them. You should talk to people they have worked for before, inspect workmanship, ask about working hours, punctuality, ability to stick to programme, site cleanliness, any propensity for extras, how they wanted paying, if they asked for materials in good time. All these things are ultimately far more important that the bottom line.
7. Just make sure you trust your builder - It's all very well him being a top chap but he may stick some hopeless ruffians on site to wreck your house and drink your tea. If he doesn't come through with good labour, haul him up on it. Make sure you set down some rules before you start and that he understands them.
8. If you must haggle, make sure you're basing it on sound evidence. This is why itemised quotes are the best way forward. If someone is charging £3k for something others are charging £1k, get him to justify it. Don't just ask for a discount. It never works out in the long run.
Hope this helps!
Simon
Thanks Simoniris for your information input.
I appreciate that builders have to go out and quote on jobs only to find that they may not be chosen - I too have had timewasters - some don't even turn up, others turn up late with no phone call to say they are delayed, some turning up and talking the talk "this is going to be expensive, yes i can do that or have you thought of this" etc only to find they don't even put in their quote!! Others saying that to plaster my hall would be around £200 (which I found very dodgy cos my hallway is long and in parts very tall)!! and one where i was sitting waiting for him to turn up at 6 so i thought i best call only to find that he was at a party and wasn't coming after all and for him to ask when would be a suitable time to call where I replied now as its the time that we arranged. So I guess its the same for the customers as well. So I guess there are "timewasters" on both sides.
But I have taken on board a few of your suggestions as I hope to have a "good working relationship" with the builder I have chosen as there is more work to be done in the Spring and it would be good to just have someone i have used before in the hope that i can also recommend him (and his team) to friends and family.
Many thanks.
CJ
I appreciate that builders have to go out and quote on jobs only to find that they may not be chosen - I too have had timewasters - some don't even turn up, others turn up late with no phone call to say they are delayed, some turning up and talking the talk "this is going to be expensive, yes i can do that or have you thought of this" etc only to find they don't even put in their quote!! Others saying that to plaster my hall would be around £200 (which I found very dodgy cos my hallway is long and in parts very tall)!! and one where i was sitting waiting for him to turn up at 6 so i thought i best call only to find that he was at a party and wasn't coming after all and for him to ask when would be a suitable time to call where I replied now as its the time that we arranged. So I guess its the same for the customers as well. So I guess there are "timewasters" on both sides.
But I have taken on board a few of your suggestions as I hope to have a "good working relationship" with the builder I have chosen as there is more work to be done in the Spring and it would be good to just have someone i have used before in the hope that i can also recommend him (and his team) to friends and family.
Many thanks.
CJ
good luck with it and very good advice from simoniris, especially the references. ALso worth asking if they have any public liabilty insurance.
Its not all about price, it is as you say in the last post the builder that will give you the result you want with a good working relationship.
Its not all about price, it is as you say in the last post the builder that will give you the result you want with a good working relationship.
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
