Money Moral Dilemma: Should we use the builder who messed us around on the quote?

MSE_Sarah

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

A builder gave us a quote for work at our house but it was way over the odds, which he said was due to the rising cost of materials. Although we've heard good things about him, we told him it was beyond our budget and started to look elsewhere. He then came back saying he didn't have much work on, and lowered his quote considerably. Should we go with him now that the price is more manageable, or, as it seemed like he was overcharging us originally, go with someone else and risk lower-quality work?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

 If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.
 Got a Money Moral Dilemma of your own? Suggest an MMD.

Brie

What's to stop him putting his work with you on hold if he gets a better paying client on the hook?

ThisIsWeird

I wouldn't trust his ethics, but I'd still use him if I was confident of his abilities.

You want a job done, you want it done well, and you want it done at a fair price. If he is now providing all these, then, you know...

The past few years have been crazy in the building industry. Materials prices have soared, but so have labour costs - in many/most cases. Huge demand coupled with a shortage of talented builders (thanks Brexit). 

Around where I am, some builders have undoubtedly 'exploited' the situation, but I am not blaming them - they are simply answering market conditions and the medium-term demand.

Your builder was probably like that - making a 'good thing' last for as long as possible.

But, the mad peak of materials prices is seemingly over, inflation is still rife, house prices are falling, and demand for building work is probably having its edge taken off as well. Cue more availability, and lower quotes to suit. 

Agree staged payments so you are always in control - ie, if he (or any) builder 'walks', then you should have only paid out roughly for the work completed.

And make sure you know exactly what is included in the quote - a clear outline of the work to be completed, materials used, any specifics on things like window quality and style - you know the stuff. Let there be no surprises or arguments.

beanielou

Absolutly not.
A real red flag.

cjdew

Definitely not. A lack of integrity is a real warning flag. You will get done over in some other way. 

Seen this before in the trades. Walk away, wait longer, find another builder. 

daivid

From what I hear locally the good builders are still booked up, the OP's builder not having much work on is a possible concern. As others have said the peak may be behind us but I'm not convinced the backlogs have been cleared though perhaps there are big local variations.

Leiden

Steer clear.

It's possible that the real reason he's not got much work on is because he tries this trick on with everyone.

riding_pink

Good builders aren’t immediately available - they’ve got a waiting list and usually a long one. He’s right about materials - and also a quote is just that - you’ll be happier at the end if the bill is less, than you would be if he quotes low and it costs more. But the red flag is that he can start straight away.  

CapricornLass

Have you had any quotes from any other builders to compare prices with?  Also, I would use the Trusted Trader site operated by Trading Standards to find suitable tradesmen- not had a duff person yet from them.  I've not used Checkatrade - got told that they won't allow any adverse reviews of their tradesmen to be displayed on their site - which raised red flags for me!

Nigel38

Being self employed in this field my advise would be to avoid this guy like the plague. Anyone reputable would put in a fair price to begin with after all the job is what it is & he will not end up working for less than he wants so 'Extras ' will pile on then what do you do????

hannerrbabes

This just proves the theory that tradespeople pick a number out of thin air they think you'll pay.