Do you ever haggle a price with tradesmen

[Plump82]

Hello.
We need a new roof and have managed to get 5 quotes ranging from £7k, £9k, £12k anf £17.5k! So quite a difference.
All have came with good reviews etc.

The one i really liked the most and just got the best feeling for is the one at £12k. But its at the very, very top of our budget. I doubt he'd drop by much, but would you consider asking if he could do it any cheaper. He did say that I was to let him know if it was competitive.

This is the 1st peice of big work we've ever had done so i dont know what's right and wrong! And i also don't want to risk annoying him and he then doesn't want to do the work for us.

Thanks everyone.

Yes I think they all expect a haggle

In that situation I would say something like 'I did have a lower quote for 9k but I'd really like to work with you - is there any way you can get your price any closer to that?'

He can only say no, and if you ask in the right way you won't piss him off.

No, I think they will cut corners if you talk them down on price. They either give me a quote I am happy with or I find someone else.

@PradaBallbag

In that situation I would say something like 'I did have a lower quote for 9k but I'd really like to work with you - is there any way you can get your price any closer to that?'

He can only say no, and if you ask in the right way you won't piss him off.

Well i more or less did what you suggested. He asked me what my best price was, which i gave him and he said sorry can't do that but can give you £500 off 🙄

Always look to haggle, 15-20% is where I would usually go in at, but do expect some push back so factor that into whatever your first price (if you ask for £10k he will likely push back to £10.5-11k), eventually you’ll meet somewhere in the middle or one of you will give and accept the others price.

You can also do this in some big-box retail, when purchasing a TV, Surround Sound Speakers, Wall Bracket and Blu-Ray Player I was able to get £300 off in Curry’s (they did have to get the manager to make the decision, but like everything in life, if you don’t ask you don’t get).

You say they all have good reviews/reputation - I'd probably look more at what exactly are they doing extra to warrant the higher price over the £7k one?
Personally if they justify it in a reasonable way, i;d be nervous with haggling. I'd want them to actually want to be there/do a good job for me & the difference between a bodge job & a decent job really isn't much

@FurierTransform

You say they all have good reviews/reputation - I'd probably look more at what exactly are they doing extra to warrant the higher price over the £7k one? Personally if they justify it in a reasonable way, i;d be nervous with haggling. I'd want them to actually want to be there/do a good job for me & the difference between a bodge job & a decent job really isn't much

Ive asked for an exact break down of everything the £7k company are doing. He gave us a list of things but it wasn't as detailed as the guy im keen to go with. I agree about wanting them to be there etc. And a decent job. While they've all got good reviews, the one im keen on going with has way, way more good reviews. From companies house i can see he's also been trading a lot longer.

I just drop in in passing after I’ve got a quote that I’m a QS and will just have a quick glance at SPONS and come back to them with a decision.
I usually get an email minutes later that they’ve made a typo on the email and it’s significantly cheaper

But I’m very wary of undetailed quotes. I’d want a full breakdown including materials used and specs of these materials.

@lastqueenofscotland

But I’m very wary of undetailed quotes. I’d want a full breakdown including materials used and specs of these materials.

Yes i agree. One of the quotes had no details but we had more or less agreed not to go with them anyway.

I have found that tradesmen rarely move on their day rate but will offer cheaper options if asked e.g different materials or cheaper ways of doing things.