Advice please - big difference in quotes for garden work

[emilymae]

Hi, I'm desperately looking for some advice or thoughts please. We want to put in decking in our garden (about 24 square metres) and a new patio and path (again, it's about 24 square metres).

We've had 4 quotes - 2 via facebook just based on dimensions we gave them, and 2 came out to the garden to measure up.

3 of the quotes all came in at about the £5.7k mark which is what we were expecting, but one of them is only £3.2k!

We're really stumped as to why this is - my husband was expecting 5.5 - 6k and although normally this wouldn't be a problem - saving £2.5k - it does beg the question why it's so cheap!

Hubby has asked a couple of questions over text of the cheaper quote like checking that's not just a quote for labour but also includes the cost of the decking and slabs etc but short of actually asking him why he's so blinking cheap we're at a loss.

It's made all the harder as of the 4, this young chap was probably my favourite, but we just can't fathom why it's so cheap! :) Should we just go for it?
Thanks all.

Did you get full quotes from everyone listing materials (specifically what kind), labour, VAT? Taking away mess and rubbish at the end and disposing of it legally?

Is he expecting payment up front or in gradual amounts during project or at end? How are the others doing it?

All very good questions :)

The 2 quotes we originally got over facebook were fully broken down, but the 2 chaps who came out last week have simply given us a price over messenger today without any detail. I've asked my husband to ask for these details though.

He now suspects that the cheaper quote is because the chap is primarily a gardener rather than doing decking - although his facebook page does have pics of decking projects he's done over the last couple of years - and might be using us a chance to build a reputation.

Agree with @MojoMoon that you need all those details

It’s ok to ask him why he’s so cheap too - if it’s for any of those reasons he’ll be happy to tell you but I’d be concerned he’s using significantly cheaper materials or something

It might be cheaper if he's doing it himself, rather than subcontracting. Or if he's doing it cash in hand...? I'd only go for one that has the quote broken down so you both know you're on the same page and saves confusion further down the line.

Can you get references from previous clients with pics?

Also, you need to be aware of tradesmen who quote cheaply but then as the job goes in, add more things in either saying the job is more than they thought or need more things, perhaps doesn’t include all things you thought included. I’d have this chap who quoted so much less to actually come and gave a look/measure up and check with him what materials he’d be using.

You can use the comprehensive quotes as a guide for you to ask questions.

Is the cheap one maybe under the VAT threshold? Might account for some of the reduced cost. Are they planning on using cheaper materials? I’d definitely ask for a price breakdown into materials and Labour, maybe he’s just underestimating the time it would take. Make sure it’s definitely a fixed price and not an estimate.

The quality of decking can vary immensely. I think I'd want a breakdown of materials they are planning to use.