Suspicious quote

NicNicP

One of our neighbours has had their drive block paved. Today we had a man round saying they had leftover material and could do a good price for us if we chose to have the same. He's quoted us £3000 for something that would normally (according to him) cost £5000. My husband is tempted. I'm a little suspicious. Surely a good tradesman either wouldn't over order or would have so much work lined up he could easily use the over ordered stock?

shaun_from_Africa

I've no idea if it's a good price or not but one thing I do know is that I would never get any major work carried out by someone who came knocking on my door touting for business.

If they had any idea what they were doing, they wouldn't have over ordered with enough materials to do another driveway without having a plan in place to either use the surplus or return it back to the builders merchants.

Lorian

Your sure it's the people who did the job for the neighbour?

NicNicP

My thoughts exactly Shaun from Africa. I've not seen this man there although he has the same accent as the other guy who called round touring for business! Personally I'd rather use a local firm and pay more!

FreeBear

How many square metres was the quote for ?

For small areas, a reasonable price would be about £100 per sq metre. For bigger areas (say over 100 sq m), around £75.

But if this guy has over ordered on materials doing next door, what else has he cocked up on. e.g. Is the hardcore base thick enough and well compacted. Has drainage been included (important if the area is impervious and large). Will he come back and sort out any area that sink. And so on.

glasgowdan

Never get jobs done by door knockers. End of.

flashg67

Accent as in Irish traveller? Sorry if it;s racist etc, but there's loads round her with genuine looking freephone numbers on their (untaxed) vans but are usually bodge it and scarper types as often seen on Watchdog

NicNicP

flashg67 wrote: »

Accent as in Irish traveller? Sorry if it;s racist etc, but there's loads round her with genuine looking freephone numbers on their (untaxed) vans but are usually bodge it and scarper types as often seen on Watchdog

Yes. That was my thought too but also didn't want to be called racist, etc.

Bogof_Babe

I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. My poor old dad fell for an identical scam and the drive had to be re-done within six months as they just dumped loose chippings on it!

NicNicP

Thank you everyone. I can now argue with back up!

Risteard

flashg67 wrote: »

Accent as in Irish traveller?

That was my reading of it. I have to say that the Travellers are actually very fine people.