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Original poster

Please tell me how to chase up quotes

13 replies

loottie · 14/10/2022 00:26

I swear builders/trades can smell my desperation Sad
I had a joiner round mine a couple of weeks ago for a small but fairly expensive/skilled job. Got good vibes from him that he was ok with the scale of the job and what I would like (agreed with my material choices etc).
I emailed a very minor adjustment (which made the job slightly easier) a couple of days later and he replied, yes no problem will get back to you with a quote.

How long do I leave it before chasing him up? We discussed the job being completed Dec/Jan. I've got a few more irons in the fire, but I instinctively liked this guy and hopefully his quote will be ok, but I'm sitting on my hands because I've waited & saved for 5 years for this piece of work and I'm desperate to finally get it done before the world gets even more crazy!

OP posts:
Original poster
loottie · 14/10/2022 00:27

(And me....I'm definitely getting more crazy as time goes by...)

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 14/10/2022 00:36

No idea. But maybe I can apply the same method on how to get them to acknowledge you after they've sent the quote and you say yes please. Ive got crickets 😥

Original poster
loottie · 14/10/2022 01:14

I know, it's horrible. I've watched all my richer friends get loads of work down on their houses during the lockdown years and I finally get to a place where I can go away with work and it's so so hard to find good people to commit.

OP posts:
Yayasisterhood · 14/10/2022 01:38

My tactic is endless polite reminders. “Hello it’s x, just wondering if you’ve had a chance to do that quote. My email is x. Thank you!”

and then wait two days. Then ring them. Then wait two days then text them. And then repeat.

it’s deeply frustrating but if your polite and persistent you’ll get prioritised. If you wait quietly you’ll get forgotten.

badassbaby · 14/10/2022 01:40

loottie · 14/10/2022 00:26

I swear builders/trades can smell my desperation Sad
I had a joiner round mine a couple of weeks ago for a small but fairly expensive/skilled job. Got good vibes from him that he was ok with the scale of the job and what I would like (agreed with my material choices etc).
I emailed a very minor adjustment (which made the job slightly easier) a couple of days later and he replied, yes no problem will get back to you with a quote.

How long do I leave it before chasing him up? We discussed the job being completed Dec/Jan. I've got a few more irons in the fire, but I instinctively liked this guy and hopefully his quote will be ok, but I'm sitting on my hands because I've waited & saved for 5 years for this piece of work and I'm desperate to finally get it done before the world gets even more crazy!

My brother is a roofer.
He's inundated with phone calls.
WhatsApp is your friend here x

thisisthestoryabout · 14/10/2022 04:07

I don't chase up quotes.

If a builder can't get a quote to me in a reasonable time, I wouldn't use them as I don't trust them to do the job!

lannistunut · 14/10/2022 04:25

I also don't chase quotes. I wait until I find someone behaves decently. I have now found a joiner who so far doesn't mess us about at all - he takes ages to quote but is reliable. Quoting is a drain and if they quoted for everyone who asks they would quote for way more work than they could ever do so they have to pace themselves.

I would ask everyone you know for names and ring lots, and eventually you'll find someone reliable. Then be very nice to them and pay very promptly.

Then they'll retire :-(

Original poster
loottie · 14/10/2022 09:47

 I'm in just this situation because my local joiner retired @lannistunut!

Thanks for the tips being persistent and WhatsApp.

Normally I would not want to chase as pp has mentioned, but in this post brexit/covid/Ukraine world if you want anything done building wise you have to fight tooth and nail in big discovering.

I'm finding it incredibly draining, these are good tradespeople, and recommended. There are lots that don't even want to quote because they are booked on big jobs for the next year or two for wealthy clients, so I have to take what I can get.

OP posts:
Diyextension · 14/10/2022 10:00

What is the job you want doing ? Is it a specifically skilled job that only a few people can do ?

SpaceyCake · 14/10/2022 10:19

I have the same issue and I've decided not to chase. So far I have managed to find other people who are polite and happy to work with me. Granted it takes a bit longer when you're having to trawl the internet for new traders, but I'm not going to be begging for these people to take my money. 😅

nomoneytreehere · 14/10/2022 11:19

They are probably all at my house. Sorry OP!

nomoneytreehere · 14/10/2022 11:23

As more practical help though i suggest you go for bigger firms. They have more flexability to send someone off for the day to do a small job. The smaller guys need to prioritise the project managers / larger firms that give them all their work.

We are mid large build and everyone turns up like clockwork because they are dependant on the project manager / main contractor for work.

Original poster
loottie · 14/10/2022 16:42

It's more of a bespoke/craft building job, so slightly specialist, a larger building firm wouldn't touch it. There are lots of people who can do it, but getting quotes and time scales from them is so difficult because they are so in demand.
I can't wait much longer, it's holding me up being able to use my house, decorate elsewhere, invite guests etc

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