Why it pays to get 3 quotes....

blue_monkey_2

Thanks Holly. It is always a worry as I say, but being a small business owner myself it is so expensive to advertise in anywhere other than the small ads at time.

I guess that if the job does not get done - or is not done well, we always have small claims to fall back on if it is a Ltd and registered company so I'll be paying by cheque if nothing else. The other chap rang me today about senidng the quote so that should be with us soon as well.

I did Google the bloke we had chosen and nothing has flaged up at all. Is there anywhere that people can register their businesses with to show they are legit?

blue_monkey_2

Hmmmm... I've had the other quote and it is £1600 for job 1 and £2200 for job 2 but I've got to supply slabs (happy with that). There is a winter discount on that.

So now I am confused, the MSE'r in my wants to pay the least price.

Trying to find out if there is any way of finding out if these companies have ever been reported.

I am a small business owner and sell stuff cheap online - cheaper than my other competitors - and I'd be mortified if it meant that I was putting people of by being 'too cheap' and making me look like a scammer - I say that I am not greedy in the money I ask for as I have no overheads like shops do so I can give something back.

What to do..... With the quote I have here I can get it all done in the space of 6 weeks rather than 4-5 months. *sigh* Just want to know there is comeback if anything should happen and the work be rubbish. Also, I have googled this company and it is listed in lots of business directories and the like and it has an 0800 number to call and a fixed address and landline number. Just what do you look out for?? How 'careful' do you choose to be?

hollydays

ask them if you can see some work they have done for someone else?

blue_monkey_2

I thought that Holly, do you think it would be rude and would the people mind?

I am going to speak to my husband tonight and then thought I would get him around again one evening to show my husband the pictures and explain one change we want from the plans to make an access way and go from there. I am keen to get it all done quicker if I can and did say to hubby that there is always the small claims route if something happens as it is less than 5k. He is registered as a business all over the internet and on lots of different sites.

He says he can start in 5-10 days if we accept and it just tells me that he is quiet and wants the work really.

I do know the most reliable decorator who is semi retired but he just loves decorating and he charges a whopping £60 a day. He is booked for months in advance as his work is immaculate. He just loves the work he does and does not much money. Just goes to show you really. Would you expect a decorator who charges so little to be so good at what he does. Maybe we just found a good one.

hollydays

For me the problem has not been that we would have had to resort to the small claims route,but that they would turn up for a few days,then clear off,then come back,then clear off-and I know this is VERY common with tradesmen.We just put up with it,because his work otherwise was good.

blue_monkey_2

This is the first time we have ever employed anyone to do something like this as hubby usually does it but it is a huge job and we've been saving hard. I guess we are going to have to give it a try and see what he says. Thanks to everyone who offered the advice.

maninthestreet

Reject the cheapest and most expensive quotes, go for the quote that falls between the two.

blue_monkey_2

But is that the MSE thing to do? Especially when there is 2k difference between the prices. To be honest, I felt quite comfortable in his company and it'll be me here during the day.

I suppose I am asking if there is any recompense available if something goes wrong because of all the 'danger' stories you read everywhere these days. I've googled and he is on the internet being a business owner, the address checks out and he is local, to disregard his services because he is cheaper just seems a bit daft as he might well do a good job but does not have so many overheads and expensive new vans to run and that.

I think I am going to get him around here while my husband is here and we can go from there.

hollydays

Don't know if this is any use
http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/before_you_buy/think_of/codes-of-practice

blue_monkey_2

Great thank you. Yes, this is the kind of thing I am looking for really I am just having a browse through.

Just heard another 10-20 cms of snow forecast for tomorrow. Yikes!!