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Builder quotes - talk some sense into me

4 replies

ZolaBuddleia · 23/08/2013 10:41

We are getting a DPC, quite a bit of replastering, a few electrical bits (new sockets and light fittings, nothing major), and a stud wall plus door.

I have asked a builder who did a v small job for us once to come and quote, he should be giving us that in the next couple of days. I like him, and I have confidence in his work. I've seen work that he has done for other people, he works a lot round here.

Now, I know I should get more quotes, but my problem is that I only know of one other builder, he is a friend's uncle. He did great work in her house, but I'm a bit worried about getting him out to quote and then not using him if I feel the other guy is a better bet. I wonder whether this would make it awkward with my friend, as she has already pointed out he is unlikely to be the cheapest.

To get three quotes I'd need to pick the third out of the yellow pages, have asked neighbours and there's nobody they would recommend. I wouldn't be comfortable giving the job to someone who I'd picked at random.

My question is this: is it mad to just go with the builder I like, and only get one quote?

OP posts:
HaveToWearHeels · 23/08/2013 11:32

If you have used him before and are happy with the work, I would use again. I would have hinted I was getting other quotes to him though just so he doesn't think the job is a done deal and pushes the quote up.

poocatcherchampion · 23/08/2013 22:28

agree. we've had a guy do some smallish work for us in the past and he has struck gold now with 4 bathrooms and a host of drains to fix. he has been ace and got us really good prices for everything and everyone is very happy.

MrsTaraPlumbing · 24/08/2013 19:45

It never hurts to get another quote from a total stranger out of the paper - but even if the stranger quotes a cheaper price that doesn't mean you should go with them.
If your dead sure your builder is gold then he is worth paying extra to.
Go with a cheaper stranger and you might be embarrassed when calling the first builder back to correct all the mistakes!

BoBoo · 24/08/2013 20:46

I would try mybuilder. We're doing our bathroom and had a quote from someone we liked and trusted so didn't bother getting another. In the end, they pulled out of the job so had to try and find someone else. Found someone on mybuilder with lots of very good feedback, they came round to quote, liked them and felt comfortable with them and they came in at well over a grand under our original quote, which we had been happy with. It only costs you your time to get some other quotes and should give you peace of mind.

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