How long would you wait for quotes

dander

I'm currently going through the extremely tiresome process of getting builders in to quote for a small extension on my house. The only trouble is I'm not seeing any quotes actually landing on my doorstep! My question is how long would you expect to wait to hear from a builder - would you chase them or assume they're not interested? They all seem perfectly nice, I have realistic expectations on cost so I'd far rather get one of the people I've already seen to do the job than have to work my way through an endless stream of them in an attempt to get a few quotes!

lagi

I would wait about 2/3 weeks before chasing up. As most builders that are busy normally dedicate some time in an evening or at the weekends to sit down and go through the quote. If they have others to do first or can't make it for some reason or are waiting on information themselves then it can take a while. They could probably give you a ball park figure but are probably trying to work out all the details for you. I would chase up incase they are not doing it but if they say they are still working on it then i would wait a couple of weeks later.

Been in the same boat myself and it seems like an eternity, especially when you want the piece of mind that its within budget.

Agree with post above, a good builder could let you know why theres a delay.

Bishop_Basher

The quote game works both ways, I've often spent a couple of hours in a house working out the best way to proceed with the work (as generally people don't know the procedure) I itemize everything and send them an email.

I've used fuel, wasted 3 or 4 hours looking at and working out a quote only to never hear from the 'customer' again, this is after I've requested they answer my email as a sign of common courtesy.

I can take the rejection, I'm a big boy, I know its a competitive world out there, if I'm too expensive or whatever thats fine, but at the very least I expect a reply.

I would never go to a job and not give a quote or estimate, whats the point, its a complete waste of time and effort, mind you its the same when you don't get a bloody reply!!!

Canucklehead

Bishop_Basher wrote: »

The quote game works both ways, I've often spent a couple of hours in a house working out the best way to proceed with the work (as generally people don't know the procedure) I itemize everything and send them an email.

I've used fuel, wasted 3 or 4 hours looking at and working out a quote only to never hear from the 'customer' again, this is after I've requested they answer my email as a sign of common courtesy.

I can take the rejection, I'm a big boy, I know its a competitive world out there, if I'm too expensive or whatever thats fine, but at the very least I expect a reply.

I would never go to a job and not give a quote or estimate, whats the point, its a complete waste of time and effort, mind you its the same when you don't get a bloody reply!!!

Hi...absolutely spot on:T we experience the same( far too frequently)...common courtesy both ways is the ticket;)

To the OP...2 weeks then ring them up.

Canucklehead

dander

Okey doke, I won't panic just yet then as we're only about a week from when they came round. I'll give them a few more days and then chase.

Bishop_Basher wrote: »

I would never go to a job and not give a quote or estimate, whats the point, its a complete waste of time and effort, mind you its the same when you don't get a bloody reply!!!

I have to say this was the bit that puzzled me - I advertised the job on the mybuilder website so all the chaps I've had in to quote were people who contacted me to say they were interested, they then made appointments to come round and check it all out, seems a lot of effort to go to and not bother quoting!

leveller2911

Ive been in business for 22 yrs and get about 90% of the work I quote for, but in all those years only 1 customer had the decency to write to me and tell me I hadn't got the work.
Like others have said ,it works both ways.:rolleyes:

If a tradesman is a sole trader and is pricing work up for you, he may also be quoting for a few other customers too.When pricing a quote it isn't like an estimate at all, you have to plan the work, ring suppliers who often don't phone back, so you have to chase them .

It never ceases to amaze me how many customers think your at home waiting by the phone just waiting for them to phone, as far as their concerned there are NO other customers.......:rolleyes::D

clairehi

I dont think theres any point chasing quotes, if they want the work you will hear from them; conversely I dont call people to inform them they havent got the job (and in my own line of work I dont take offence if I dont hear back on a sales enquiry, but I would chase it up, something no builder has ever done to me)

2 weeks is reasonable.

leveller2911

clairehi wrote: »

I dont think theres any point chasing quotes, if they want the work you will hear from them; conversely I dont call people to inform them they havent got the job (and in my own line of work I dont take offence if I dont hear back on a sales enquiry, but I would chase it up, something no builder has ever done to me)

2 weeks is reasonable.

I would say that in the construction industry for a builder to "chase up" its normally seen as a sign of desperation, i'm not saying its right though,if I was short of work I would phone the customer to make sure they received the quote as In the last 2-3 yrs Ive had at least 6 quotes that got lost in the post.

Cknocker

Theres nothing wrong with giving a builder a sensible deadline to get a quote in by. As others have said he has to get quotes for materials himself and that can take a day and an age. There is also nothing wrong with giving him a call if you're waiting. I just had quotes for a couple of jobs, one of the builders took a while, gave him a call, he was waiting for prices for windows.

If you're having an extension built all included you have to remember the builder doesn't do everything himself, here are a few examples of sub contracts he may need to get priced: -

Doors & Windows
Roof Coverings
Plumbing
Electrical Works
Kitchen Fitting

Small builders aren't like large construction companies, they don't have the benefit of an estimating department, they have to do it all themselves generally, and while they are doing that they aren't doing something they are getting paid for, so just be realistic with the time.

If you are too pushy for quotes, like wanting them with in 2 or 3 days, your quotes will probably come in larger as the builder will price the risk into the quote.

lagi

I always let the builders know if they have been successful. Its manners.

Most appreciate the feedback and one guy after i told him that the price was way out of my budget (big jobbie) offered to come round and work with my budget to see what we could omit or get done. Which i thought was good business and if i hadn't rang to let him know he wouldn't have offered to do this.

Don't forget you can still negotiate after you have received your quotes.