Is it possible to haggle on builders quotes?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

Just wondering what the etiquette is here. We are getting quotes for an extension and I was wondering if we could try to get a few £k off? Builder A quoted pretty much the same as Builder B but he has included a few extra things in his price. We want to really go with Builder B though (ie the one who hasn't included the extra stuff) cos DH knows him and we know he is trustworthy etc, so do you think we could either a) get the extra stuff too or b) get money off his quote? Or is that really cheeky?

TBH if you know him and trust him that is far more valuable than a few extras. You can always ask he can only say no!

Finding a trustworthy building is actually priceless!

Had one extension and with unreliable builder and nearly had a breakdown (took from Feb to Aug to get from foundations being dug to carpet laid for a single story small extension . It's so bad because you feel helpless.

Second time around - bigger job and carpet was being laid 10 weeks after founbdations dug . He was such a good builder and so reliable. Worth his weight in gold. And he was the cheapest quote!

Also as a job progresses there will be changes and costs may change anyway. I wouldn't try to haggle. Reliability is everything.

IME its not worth haggling. As has been said reliability is key, as are recommendations of builders that come in close to budget.

If you haggle now, a builder may well quote a lower price to get the job, but then make up the shortfall as the job goes on. If they are a respectable outfit, they will have priced it appropriately. Cheapest quote doesn't equal the one that will come in the cheapest ( or obviously the best quality, but thats a different subject....).

I don't think you could get money off the quote but you may be able to get him to include a few SMALL things, like painting a door. Anything substantial though and I imagine he will cut corners in other places to make up the differenc.

What's the difference in price and how much are the included things worth?