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How do you negotiate prices with plumbers, handy men, builders etc?

24

Comments

  • csgohan4
    csgohan4 Posts: 10,600 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    best way is word of mouth, I found this out the hard way. Sites like check a trade and mybuilder are full of con artists, got ripped off.
    "It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"

    G_M/ Bowlhead99 RIP
  • baxt3r
    baxt3r Posts: 42 Forumite
    A good tradesman is unlikely to negotiate. When I was on the tools I'd supply a price based on what I needed to earn and cover my costs. The problem is people don't usually understand that there's more to it such as van costs, insurance, advertising, tools and other costs associated with running a business.
  • onlyroz
    onlyroz Posts: 17,661 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    t0rt0ise wrote: »
    Not quite what you've asked but I use this website http://www.freeindex.co.uk/ where you state what you want and tradesmen offer quotes. They tend to fight amongst themselves to give a decent quote. They also depend on good feedback reviews to get more business so don't rip you off.
    I've found some good people on ratedpeople.com. They were handy in particular when we were new to the area and so had no idea about electricians, plumbers, gardeners etc. We once had an obscure carpentry job and we found somebody off ratedpeople to do it for us - he did a great job and we'll use him again.

    My parents have had a difficult time finding an electrician recently - they got a few people in for quotes who then disappeared off the face of the earth. In the end they gave the job to the first guy who actually turned up to do it.
  • marksoton
    marksoton Posts: 17,516 Forumite
    baxt3r wrote: »
    A good tradesman is unlikely to negotiate. When I was on the tools I'd supply a price based on what I needed to earn and cover my costs. The problem is people don't usually understand that there's more to it such as van costs, insurance, advertising, tools and other costs associated with running a business.

    About a decade ago i had a kitchen fitting "friend" who needed a load of block paving done.

    He approached me and a fellow groundworker and was going to provide all materials etc. When we stated our daily rate his response was comical.

    "You guys aren't worth that"

    This from a guy who's mark ups were ridiculous. It never did get block paved. He went out of business and had to sell the property.

    A decent tradesman will not negotiate on price because they know what they're worth and no doubt have other clients willing to pay.
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,078 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    marksoton wrote: »
    About a decade ago i had a kitchen fitting "friend" who needed a load of block paving done.

    He approached me and a fellow groundworker and was going to provide all materials etc. When we stated our daily rate his response was comical.

    "You guys aren't worth that"

    This from a guy who's mark ups were ridiculous. It never did get block paved. He went out of business and had to sell the property.

    A decent tradesman will not negotiate on price because they know what they're worth and no doubt have other clients willing to pay.

    You are right. I don't negotiate. If someone wants to pay less I either take a decision that they aren't the right client for us, or we look at reducing specification together.
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • theartfullodger
    theartfullodger Posts: 15,715 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Anyone who suggest xx% off for cash or asks "do you want it without the VaT" or "you don't need an invoice do you"?? thank they kindly for their estimate but do not do business with them. Consider grassing them up to the authorities.

    Yup, word of mouth. Rating sites are too prone to fake reviews from mates of paid-for reviewers...
  • warehouse
    warehouse Posts: 3,362 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    You lot posting on here may be decent honest tradesmen but there are one h*ll of a lot of dodgy ones out there. The OP s right to ask for advice IMO.
    Pants
  • marksoton
    marksoton Posts: 17,516 Forumite
    Doozergirl wrote: »
    You are right. I don't negotiate. If someone wants to pay less I either take a decision that they aren't the right client for us, or we look at reducing specification together.

    I don't envy you!

    Hence i moved to civils management! It has it's own frustrations ( a lot) but at least i get to argue within a framework.
  • Contessa
    Contessa Posts: 1,168 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Where I now live I struck lucky finding a decorator. Neighbours recommended someone but he took so long to send me his quote that my decorator had already been working for three days. "My chap" wasn't cheap (although he reduced his price when I said it was more than I could afford) but has been excellent. A perfectionist (of course, I'm paying for this!)

    Strangely, I can't remember how I found him-probably a google search.
  • marksoton
    marksoton Posts: 17,516 Forumite
    warehouse wrote: »
    You lot posting on here may be decent honest tradesmen but there are one h*ll of a lot of dodgy ones out there. The OP s right to ask for advice IMO.

    No, they are trying to penny pinch.

    If you wish to negotiate down a professionals fee don't expect a stellar service.

    Hence why virtually every solicitor complaint on this board is because the OP went cheap. Sometimes the maxim really is true. You get what you pay for.
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