I normally find its people that are getting prices on a 'whim'...just as a guide so they know how much to bung the brother-in-law when he does it for them!
Ive had people ask me how how it would be to do an outside over the phone!..given that my psyhic powers aint what they used to be I always politey refuse...advising them that tradesmen who does quote over the phone should be veiwed with caution.
I tell them that, ok...spose they get a quote...three quotes...all over the phone..all the tradesmen will have quoted higher just to cover themselves..so they end up with three inflated quotes..they pick the cheapest...have the job done..and still pay over the top.do they honestly think the painter is going to say..." I charged to much to cover myself...heres 300 quid back"????!!!
Years ago I was asked for a daywork quote over the phone..I told the block 80 quid...he said.."ok but I only want a rough job done...how much will it be for that?"...I said er.."80 quid"...he then proceeded to try an haggle...he couldnt understand thay I still needed the same days money..rough job or good job..
He told me to poke it!
Point for people who are thinking of getting seomone in...when they give you the quote, if its in your budget dont say 'oh thats fine...that plus materials is it'...it might have included materials..and the tradesman my bang them on again if he's like that..or isnt fussed about the job.
Just ask..'does that included materials'?...
Ive been guilty of that..once..gave a bloke a price, 700 hundred quid..he said he was thinking of about 500 so
HE would meet
ME half way (how kind of him)..and call it 600...I didnt like the guy...and frankly if I had said it would have been 50p he would have said he was 'thinking' of 30p!!!.....
So he said.."ok thats 600 plus materials"...(which came to about 200 quid)
You can guess the rest!