Question about builders and quotes

[tak1ngchances]

Apologies if this is rambling. I am sleep-deprived and very pregnant and finding it hard to organise my thoughts. Bear with!

We live in a Victorian terraced house and need a few jobs done fairly urgently (before new baby arrives in 6 weeks!)

Biggest job is to build a new front wall & path outside the house but I also need some work in the kitchen and bathroom (smaller jobs).

We have had 3 quotes through for the wall but no quotes for the other work yet.
The guy we like best is over budget. We have two options:

• go back to preferred builder and negotiate on price for wall then get him to quote for additional jobs once we're happy with wall price.
• tell preferred builder we need additional work done and ask him for a competitive price for everything, like a bundle deal.

My preference is for the latter as I think he may be more willing to negotiate if he knows that his overall payment will be higher.
DH says the first option is better to keep things clear.

What do you all think? I am not at all experienced with these things, as you can probably tell...
Thanks to anyone who made it through the ramble.

My dp is a builder and he will not negotiate on prices. He prices competitively and has a living to make. I also can't be doing with the "carrot" of "oh we have extra work if you do a good job/are cheaper". He always does a good job and people have him back because he is good at what he does.

The overall payment will be higher bit those little jobs often turn into more than people think. I suppose he does tend to quote less for them if he is already there doing the work.

I guess you have to look at it this way - the builder will have materials to buy. He will have to use petrol and time to go and get the materials etc, use of tools and the added bonus of making a living. What would you say if your boss tried to negotiate your wage down?

He might negotiate, my dp used to but it has often ended up with him losing out so now I put my foot down.

You have to weigh up what it is about the guy you like compared to the others. Are they putting in low prices because they can't get work? Is the guy you like expensive or just over budget?

Congratulations on the baby btw x

Overall we might be cheaper doing a bundle of work but only if done at the same time if that makes sense. So would charge less possibly for the smaller jibs as already on site but individually they would either be charged as half a day or a days money as even though it might only take a few hours it tends to write off the rest of the day.

how about go back to the preferred builder and ask if he can recommend on cheaper materials and build method in exchange for a quote within your budget?

Yes we can go back and see if changing materials could bring cost down...but my main question still is whether it's better to mention the other jobs now or later. What do you reckon?
You're all very helpful, thank you! Lemming I hope I'm not disrespecting your husband's industry. We are just told constantly in life not to accept the first price for anything and to try and negotiate where possible.

Lol not at all. I barter everywhere I go but I do think its different for services.

Talk to preferred builder. To be fair labour is expensive and not sure what costs could be lost on material. Why did you prefer this person.

Be up front about the other quotes and make sure that the quote covers everything. Dp prices dont change unless there is a significant unseen issue or the client adds in extras but you would be surprised how many will quite a low price and hit you with a higher bill because x wasn't included in original quote so make sure you get a breakdown.

Lem makes a good point, a breakdown is a must to avoid hidden charges.

Back to your org q, if the builder gave you quote on the "bigger" job then I don't think the other smaller jobs will help to reduce the quote. It may work better the other way around.

Check out his previous work and see the quality of work yourself. This may help justifying his quote. Maybe there is a reason you prefer this builder, bec he seems to be more competent.