Is this builders quote good enough?

[ADifferentSong]

“quotation to seal window where cracked to stop water from coming in rubbish for me from site left clean and tidy 700+ VAT”

This is what we received in writing from the person who came round to assess our water penetration problem yesterday. It’s shorthand for what was actually discussed, but I was expecting something more professionally laid out.

We found them through CheckaTrade, although it would be just as true to say that they found us, when our email enquiry through the CaT platform to a damp specialist was apparently given out to two further damp specialists in our area, but on examining their website we see that they are patio and drive installers rather than damp specialists.

Would you go ahead on this basis?

Could you try a glazing firm instead?
I wouldn't go ahead with that, no. Unless you got a much better opinion of him in person than what's ended up on paper.

Thanks - I’ve found a ‘proper’ damp specialist who deals with water ingress so will get them to quote.

Is that basically £700 to seal around a window?

No, and I put little faith in listings on Checkatrade.
I believe they pay to be be on there...

As I read it, yes £700 plus VAT to seal around a window. But the actual discussion was to chisel out some of the pebble dash first. No mention of this this in the quote.

Exactly. I think experienced and reputable tradesmen are so busy through word of mouth that they don’t need to pay to advertise on sites like checkatrade.

Sounds like you could DIY. How big is crack?
Full disclosure - I'm not a builder. 😀

Yes, you have to pay to be on Checkatrade. You sign up to advertise and have to provide references for your work.

References are either made up or given by friends and family most of the time.

Your local council should have a 'proper' list of trades people who are correctly vetted and council approved.

Avoid Checkatrade!

No! I had same thing done and it was nowhere near £700!

For comparison, a tube of window sealant from b&q is £11.