This is a bit of a hobby horse of mine. I know that consumer associations and advisors always advocate getting several quotes, but my view from the other side of the fence is that this is a Very Bad Idea. Consider this:KillingTime said:I'm on my 10th company to date with only 3 having sent in a figure.
Option 1: You canvas family, friends and colleagues for names of a reputable tradesman/company; one that they would be happy to recommend unconditionally. You engage that tradesman/company, asking for an estimate of the likely cost so that you can budget properly.
Option 2: You ask previously unknown (to you) tradesmen/companies for quotes, and engage the one that is cheapest/friendliest/least dodgy-looking etc..
In option 2, the losing quoters have utterly wasted their time. If every customer asked for, and received, three quotations for every job, then each job would entail two companies doing work for nothing. And yet, time has to be paid for, which is why labour rates have to be high.
It's for this reason that I never quote, except where an insurance company insists, and only then for existing customers. It wouldn't be an efficient way to run my business, and I would have to charge more for the work that I do.