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

[Deleted User]

Do you trust him?  If not, you don't need advice on what to do.  

CSI_Yorkshire

Many of these comments represent the same reason why nobody in public office is ever allowed to change their mind and people are being 'cancelled' because of things they said decades ago.

When was it decided that if someone says something once, they are then held to it forever regardless of any changing information and circumstances?

Tiger_Tony

cjdew said:

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. 

A lack of integrity - why does that remind me of all insurance companies!

primrose_penguin

I think you need to get other quotes from reputable builders, you may have to wait longer because good builders are in demand. I know costs in the building trade have risen but to suddenly give you a much lower quote sounds a bit fishy also the fact that he hasn't got much work on at the moment. By going with a different builder doesn't necessarily mean you will get lower quality work, you need to do your homework. I live in a small town and all the builders are well known which makes it much easier. If you live in a large town it is more difficult but there must be ways of checking them out.

silversteve

From personal experience, don't use him! Last year I got a quote from a builder, it was too expensive, so I thanked him for his time and declined the quote. A few weeks later he contacted me and said he could reduce it to my budget. I then accepted the quote and he started almost immediately. He had a lull in his schedule. After a week he told me it was taking too long and was getting behind on the work.He became unreliable, aggressive and the work went from good to bad to cut corners and save himself time.
Try and find a recommendation, I wish I had!

gloriouslyhappy

Walk away! Huge red flag!

ticktock25

stop- it is clear you have failed to manage the situation from the outset. - start afresh with a clear head- get a few builders round and discuss expectations time frames before asking them to give you a guide price - either verbally at the time or the next day. any builder worth there money is in control of finances and knows the cost of materials/ labour. from the initial price, gauge the person but more importantly how they present- how many unknowns / caveats?- how do they justify the cost ?- the numbers they give are immaterial they are just a way to make them think and put some effort in to gain your trust- it costs them little but shows alot. from this ask the chosen few to quote properly- highlighting expected job length, payment profile, agreed rate for any extras but more importantly variations. ask for copies of insurance, references, qualifications  (if applicable) of your preferred builder before accepting. insist on using the council building control or at least a company that you choose not your builder- one wouldn't like to suggest that some inspectors look the other way when it's a regular customer. just avoid the situation in the first place by managing it out of the equation. if in any doubt employ a professional to manage the project. 

Spendless

This doesn't make any sense. If his higher quote was due to the rising cost of materials (which is correct) then the cost of these hasn't changed just because 'he's got no work on'. Therefore it wasn't the materials that created the higher quote in the first place.

Sorry, but I wouldn't trust him. I'd walk away. 

Bashyacta

Why are you describing this as a “moral” dilemma? It’s a purely practical consideration, with no moral dimension to it. 

littlemillridge

Definitely not. He's a chancer, and good builder's have a month's-long waiting list.