Dealing with tradespeople - just a rant really.

rubble2

I know that this sort of thing happens hundreds of times a day and has happened to me before but I am bewildered by my recent experience in getting quotes for replacement Soffits/fascias/downpipes.

Ok, 4 bed detached house Northwest England.
Contacted four potential suppliers based on internet search/recommendation/local knowledge. Here are my experiences

Company 1,  This one was a general roofer who came out promptly had a look around seemed knowledgeable and pleasant, they had done a few local properties so I could see the results of the work.
Dismissed this one as he came back with two prices - one price including VAT and the other if I pay him in cash (presumably no receipt and no written guarantee).

Company 2, this one specialises in Roofline work owner of the company came out (typical double glazing salesman type if I was to let my personal predjudice come to the fore) but obviously knew the market, offered an insurance backed guarantee, no payment until satisfied with job etc.

Company 3, local double glazing installer, small company - seemes to have lots of local recommendations etc. Because we are also looking at replacing the windows in the not too distant future asked for a quote for those as well.

Company 4, again local Double glazing company- bigger than company 3 (couple of local showrooms) thay had repaced the fascias etc on a neighbours house last year and seemed to do a decent job.

So, Company 1- rejected due to perceived dodgy business practices

Company 2 - responsive to questions, provided a number of previous jobs for me to have a look at. everyone I spoke to having used them were happy with the service

Company 3 - rang me back with a price for fascias and a seperate quote for windows, said he needed to email me a copy of the door catalogue so I asked him to email confirmation of the price as well. Never heard from him again.

Company 4 - sent 2 quotes one for fascias and and one for windows, with a note saying to contact them if had any questions. I got back to them to request some previous installations to have a look at - never heard from them again.

So have gone with Company 2.
Considering that the combined price for the work requested of Companies 3 & 4 was well in excess of £10K I really cannot understand their mindset.

Prior to retirement I ran my own business and would never have even contemplated treating potential customers im such an off hand way.

So, end of rant.

Eldi_Dos

Why did you not go with company 1 and choose the price that included VAT?

Section62

Eldi_Dos said:

Why did you not go with company 1 and choose the price that included VAT?

I don't know about the OP, but I would always be wary of using someone I didn't know for a significant job after they had offered to do it for cash.  It tends to suggest a degree of recklessness and lack of caution in their approach to work.  Someone you know who offers to do cash work is different.

rubble2

Eldi_Dos said:

Why did you not go with company 1 and choose the price that included VAT?

Hi, I didn't go with company 1 because as Section62 says below I am reluctant to use a company who does the work 'off the books' and presumably therefore can deny any liability if issues arise down the line. Also company 2's price including VAT is the same as company 1's cash price !

Eldi_Dos

So company 2's price was better, just curious about sales techniques, thanks.