For making use of Free Quotes

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Booked an appointment with a company to get a price for replacing windows and doors. Salesman came, gave us a price that we simply can’t afford right now, so we said we appreciated his time and it’s something we’ll have to save up a bit longer for.

He was polite, but clearly unhappy and pissed off. I get it, it felt like a waste of time for him. We’ve had a few tradesman quoting for various things recently and I wondered, how am I meant to find out how much things are going to cost without “wasting someone’s time?” Is there a way?

I hate upsetting people but equally I don’t like being made to feel bad for not just immediately saying yes take my money.

So, am I being unreasonable for asking for quotes from people in order to get an idea of costings, when I know that I probably won’t be able to afford it immediately?

The problem with this is, many contractors don't want to give a ballpark figure.

A) they don't want to underprice it and the client tries to hold them to it.

B) they don't want to overprice and do themselves out of work.

C) they want to get face to face to properly assess the site and discuss other options etc, and also face to face is easier to get someone to sign up.

So it's a double edged sword.

Totally agree it takes up a huge amount of their time, but also, I see why giving ballpark figures is difficult.

However, I think in this instance, the OP has listed off quite a large amount of work, numerous materials, and is aware that machinery will be involved.

She then says she's saved up "a couple of grand".

OP, this is the issue. People don't value tradespeoples time. You know lots of materials will need to be purchased. You know machinery will need to be hired. You know there's a lot of labour involved. Surely you can see £2k won't be enough?

I think that is probably why the person was frustrated.

Can't seem to edit my post- I see it was the windows guy that was rude to you, not groundworks guy.

I'd say he was out of order. They are salesmen, that's their job, as opposed to groundworks who would have to be doing these quotes as part of his day (ie actually doing the work).

Big window company guy needs to suck it up.

You’re not actually planning on getting the work done - YABU to waste their time.

I'm always upfront with tradesmen and mention I'm getting 3 quotes before going ahead. I have had to invoke waiting for my non-existent DH to get home and review as reason for not going ahead straight away for a couple who were a bit pushy.

I'd never arrange for tradesmen to come and do quotes if I knew I wasn't going to go
forward with any of them. That's just wasting the tradesman's time.

I have been through the mill with companies and quotes. So much so I chose , in one case, to just live with the problem. Spending £2,000 without you having seen the taps they are putting in, or the kind of radiator which willl replace yours. Are they for real? I have, out of desperation, chosen the person with the best manners. As I am 88 years old I take the line of least resistance now.

I have to disagree with the PP saying you're a time waster because you're not planning to get the work done.

You clearly were but now have better idea of what the cost is will have to save up for longer. They can't force you to spend money you don't have. And from experience, windows is all a bit smoke and mirrors price wise until you actually get someone around.

The advice on here is ALWAYS to get three quotes, so that's always going to be two businesses that have had their time 'wasted' ..... So make your mind up Mumsnet, do you have to say yes to every trade that quotes to not waste their time or get three quotes for every job and pick one?

OP I think YANBU

Omg this is a zombie thread, whoops!