How to negotiate with Builders

linda_brew

Hello, I have had a quote of £16k to build our extension. its the first quote from this builder, but the builder was very friendly with excellent references and so far he has been the best all round. We have a lower quote of £15k.

Both exclude the likes of tiles, sink, taps, kitchen, doors, windows and other finishing items.

I would love to learn of any negotiating tips to knock off a bit and/or add a few extra jobs in. We budgeted £14k so not a million miles away.

keystone

Ask him if theres anything he can do on the price. The answer will probably be yes - take some bits out. The answer may probably be no as it sounds as though both quotes are priced quite keenly. Hit him too hard and he'll cut a corner somewhere to make it up - thats just human nature.

Adding jobs in williy nilly is a receipe for disaster in a relationship. If you've got more jobs to add ask him to quote on an itemised basis and then what if we do it as part of the main job. If you start off expecting stuff for nothing now before any work has commenced I can only see tears downstream.

If you really can't afford the 15 or even 16 then you should be negotiating the work package downwards to get the quote to 14 rather than squeezing. Thats only fair on both of you.

You may be able to get the total down by offering payment terms that are advantageous to his cash flow - ie he remains cash positive but cash neutral is a better bet for both of you.

What you should absolutely not do is accept either price knowing you can't afford more than 14 then start nickle and diming him when the bill is presented.

Cheers

tired_dad

If it boils down to a 15k vs 16k quote, then I would seriously advise going with the person who has recommendations (esp if you know people who have used him and seen the quality of work).

Builders have a tendency to find things along the way that need rectification. Obviously adding top ups along the way.

Also if he is as good as you say then there wont be big gaps in his diary.

IMHO ask if he can come down a bit. If not, wait and save up a bit more.

iamcornholio

TBH, if I quoted you £16k then that is how much I would want.

If you started trying to knock me down before the work starts, then I would worry about what you would be trying to knock off while the work is in progress .... and if I would ever get the agreed amount without more "negotiation" at the end of the job

linda_brew

I was more thinking about getting agreement at the start through open discussions. I had one builder, one I have not shortlisted open his quoting at £25k, then drop to £22k and then £18k in 3 days! And all by saying no, however, with the more serious ones I would be keen to discuss and negotiate a small drop - well it is moneysaving

nickj_2

iamcornholio wrote: »

TBH, if I quoted you £16k then that is how much I would want.

If you started trying to knock me down before the work starts, then I would worry about what you would be trying to knock off while the work is in progress .... and if I would ever get the agreed amount without more "negotiation" at the end of the job

i would have thought that any decent builder would have more than enough work to not be bothered about knocking down their price , if you want the work done , are happy with the person doing it then pay the price they are asking if it's reasonable , which both prices appear to be

theGrinch

I would suggest you ask for whats included/excluded from the quote, as two builders rarely quote for the identical things on such a significant job as an extension. If you can source some materials cheaper then suggest it. I did that for our extension and saved several thousand especially on bricks, insulation, skylights etc.

also 2012 is not 2005 so now is not the worse time to negotiate. use it to your advantage. there is a lot of unemployed or underemployed builders - even some good ones believe it. by the way, if any builder knows where the growing economy and confidence gone then let us all know. its definitely a customer's market now.

fluffpot

I think if you trust the builder and he has come recommended this is more important than saving money... going with the 'wrong' builder could end up costing more. As others have said, if you can't afford to get all the work done, either reduce the work/specification or save up.

When I quote, my price is my price - I don't expect people to negotiate and in fact it might put me off working for them as I'd be worried that they might try again further into the job

jkpd

as fluffpot,my quote is always a fair quote,I never drop but sometimes a few simple changes to the design may save some money here and their,bear in mind that if you do cut him done if their are extras which their always is then he will claw it back.