Getting a quote

shopbot

Hi Everyone,

If you need to get a professional in to do a job in the house and you've had someone recommended to you...would you still go and get several quotes? Or would trust the recommendation you've been given?

Thanks
SB

Blackdog

shopbot wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

If you need to get a professional in to do a job in the house and you've had someone recommended to you...would you still go and get several quotes? Or would trust the recommendation you've been given?

Thanks
SB

The best advice is always to get three prices, then you will know if the original quote is reasonable. Make sure you are specific on what you want doing so all three contractors are quoting for the same thing.

McKneff

And remember

A quote is a binding price and legally binding.

An estimate is just that, a round about price

monkeymonkey_3

Personally, it would depend on a few factors. Like how well I knew the person who recommended them, and do they have similar standards to me? Would also depend on the size / type of job, and also would depend a lot on whether the quote from the recommended person seemed reasonable. Mostly, for me it often comes down to how reasonable the quote is and how I feel about the person, versus how soon I might need the job doing and how much time I have to spend sourcing tradesmen, arranging visits and waiting for quotes.

nickj_2

as a tradesmkan myself , all my work comes either from people i know or word of mouth , i guess if i give a price and people are happy with it and know i'll do a good job then 99 times out of 100 i get the work , i think this year i've only lost out on 1 job , and then the bloke in question to me he wanted the job right which is what i do anyway , i gave him the price and then he told me that it was too much , when i saw the people he got to do it , they made a right hash of it -
it's better to pay a bit motre and get it done right with someone you feel comfortable with , than get a cheaper quotefrom a non recommended person

iamcornholio

McKneff wrote: »

And remember

A quote is a binding price and legally binding.

And remember that it is only binding for the specific work mentioned in the quote, so ensure that it is itemised or has enough detail so you (and the professional) know exactly what is to be done for the quoted figure and what may be at additional cost.

phill99

Its not all about price. If someone has been recommended to you (and make sure its an arms length recommendation ie the person isn't recommending her husband or brother etc), then the recommender is happy with the quality of work at the given price. That price may not have been the lowest. The decision may have been based on other things such as professional approach, turning up to the appointment on time, offering honest and sound advice, drawing up a good specification etc.

If someone recommends a tradesman to you, that is worth far more than getting three quotes and opting for the lowest, as all things are not equal. With a recomendation, you can see the standard of work etc.

If you want to base your decision purely on cost, get three quotes and go for the lowest. if you want good work done, go with someones recommendation.

Yorkie1

I needed a re-roof earlier in the year. I got 3 recommendations, one was from my neighbour who'd had her roof re-done a year before so I could see his work.

He was the cheapest of the 3 and provided a quote (the others were just estimates despite my requesting a quote, one of the two was done after adrive-by). I liked him and he was straight about what would be involved etc.

I accepted his quote and he was great.

In future I probably won't go elsewhere for multiple quotes but simply get him in for any building work needed. A good builder who you trust is worth his weight in gold.