£100 charge to provide a quote! Unreasonable surely?
Discussion
Hi all,
The wife fired off a couple of emails recently to enquire about having our wood block flooring restored.
She spoke to a chap on Saturday morning, explaining the various issues and suspected work required. Although an estimated idea of cost could be provided, it was clear that the floor would have to be inspected before a firm price could be given and to establish exactly what was and wasn't worth doing.
However, the chap wanted to charge £90+VAT to visit the house (knocked off the bill if we gave him the work). I'll admit, we are maybe 40 miles from him with a bridge toll to pay as well, however, I was rather surprised by this. Personally, I would not give this sort of work to someone without atleast meeting them first and it is generally accepted practice to obtain a number of quotes. I've a couple of other people to contact but they are a similar distance away and, for all I know, may adopt a similar approach.
So, is it common and accepted practice to charge a not inconsiderable amount just to provide a firm price?
The wife fired off a couple of emails recently to enquire about having our wood block flooring restored.
She spoke to a chap on Saturday morning, explaining the various issues and suspected work required. Although an estimated idea of cost could be provided, it was clear that the floor would have to be inspected before a firm price could be given and to establish exactly what was and wasn't worth doing.
However, the chap wanted to charge £90+VAT to visit the house (knocked off the bill if we gave him the work). I'll admit, we are maybe 40 miles from him with a bridge toll to pay as well, however, I was rather surprised by this. Personally, I would not give this sort of work to someone without atleast meeting them first and it is generally accepted practice to obtain a number of quotes. I've a couple of other people to contact but they are a similar distance away and, for all I know, may adopt a similar approach.
So, is it common and accepted practice to charge a not inconsiderable amount just to provide a firm price?
Heathwood said:
Hi all,
The wife fired off a couple of emails recently to enquire about having our wood block flooring restored.
She spoke to a chap on Saturday morning, explaining the various issues and suspected work required. Although an estimated idea of cost could be provided, it was clear that the floor would have to be inspected before a firm price could be given and to establish exactly what was and wasn't worth doing.
However, the chap wanted to charge £90+VAT to visit the house (knocked off the bill if we gave him the work). I'll admit, we are maybe 40 miles from him with a bridge toll to pay as well, however, I was rather surprised by this. Personally, I would not give this sort of work to someone without atleast meeting them first and it is generally accepted practice to obtain a number of quotes. I've a couple of other people to contact but they are a similar distance away and, for all I know, may adopt a similar approach.
So, is it common and accepted practice to charge a not inconsiderable amount just to provide a firm price?
While I find it a bit expensive, I can see their logic, to a degree. A guy spending maybe three hours to come out and give you his expert opinion on whether it can be done successfully, and produce a quote, needs to account for the hours somehow. Ask around several firms, see what they say. The wife fired off a couple of emails recently to enquire about having our wood block flooring restored.
She spoke to a chap on Saturday morning, explaining the various issues and suspected work required. Although an estimated idea of cost could be provided, it was clear that the floor would have to be inspected before a firm price could be given and to establish exactly what was and wasn't worth doing.
However, the chap wanted to charge £90+VAT to visit the house (knocked off the bill if we gave him the work). I'll admit, we are maybe 40 miles from him with a bridge toll to pay as well, however, I was rather surprised by this. Personally, I would not give this sort of work to someone without atleast meeting them first and it is generally accepted practice to obtain a number of quotes. I've a couple of other people to contact but they are a similar distance away and, for all I know, may adopt a similar approach.
So, is it common and accepted practice to charge a not inconsiderable amount just to provide a firm price?
I wouldn't pay it though.
muppetdave said:
Personally I'd be inclined to tell him to poke it!
Yep, my first reaction. In fact, if it had been me rather than the wife speaking with him I'm likely to have told him to stick his quote where the sun doesn't shine.Only reservation is that there are not many floor restorers around so don't want to burn my bridges.
Tell him to feck off!!
Absolute joke!
He must be desperate if he has to put that sort of pressure on you!
If he was any good, he'd turn up and would talk with confidence about what he plans to do etc. Expecting to get the job that way.
If he was that good, he won't mind travelling 40 miles to get a job that could be worth a lot more than the petrol money!!
Absolute joke!
He must be desperate if he has to put that sort of pressure on you!
If he was any good, he'd turn up and would talk with confidence about what he plans to do etc. Expecting to get the job that way.
If he was that good, he won't mind travelling 40 miles to get a job that could be worth a lot more than the petrol money!!
Depends I suppose. May be he finds that he quotes telling the potential customer all that needs to be done, and the potential customer then goes to someone inferior and tells them what to do!
Its unusual to charge for quotes but I supose not unreasonable for the work he is going to have to go to in order to produce the quote!
Its unusual to charge for quotes but I supose not unreasonable for the work he is going to have to go to in order to produce the quote!
Chrisgr31 said:
Depends I suppose. May be he finds that he quotes telling the potential customer all that needs to be done, and the potential customer then goes to someone inferior and tells them what to do!
Its unusual to charge for quotes but I supose not unreasonable for the work he is going to have to go to in order to produce the quote!
sounds like he's had a lot of people taking the %!$$ to be honest.Its unusual to charge for quotes but I supose not unreasonable for the work he is going to have to go to in order to produce the quote!
CatherineJ said:
I would find someone else instead.
I'm guessing his quote to order rate isn't very good and so he is having to resort to charging.
Or he has plenty of work on which is far more lucrative than spending half a day traipsing about chasing work outside of his usual area.I'm guessing his quote to order rate isn't very good and so he is having to resort to charging.
Might be unlikely in the present climate, but it's possible!
In as many words, it sounds like he's already given a rough idea of what it might cost but has told you that you basicly need the floor inspected and some kind of survey/report drawing up before proceeding further, and it's this that he wants 100 quid for...
Once you've had this done and are in posession of said report then you can take this round any other number of floorers and they will be able to quote you based on that. So he would be giving you something of value for your £100.
If he were to give a firm quote without doing this then he would be forced to quote high to cover himself.
Once you've had this done and are in posession of said report then you can take this round any other number of floorers and they will be able to quote you based on that. So he would be giving you something of value for your £100.
If he were to give a firm quote without doing this then he would be forced to quote high to cover himself.
Edited by buggalugs on Sunday 11th January 14:32
Mattt said:
If he gives you a full condition report - reasonable IMO.
Agree.Im sure he has a certin milage he'll cover without charging and it could be that your outside that area.When you take into account whats involved from his side i dont think its to unreasonable, after all, he's not to know that your just using him just to cross quote.
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