Why is it so hard to get tradespeople to quote??

[singlecoil]

TheAngryDog said:

singlecoil said:

TheAngryDog said:

Good old PH.

This is starting to come across like a point of view situation. From your point of view there is no reason why four different tradesmen in your area should not want to come and quote on your relatively small job, and from the point of view of some other posters here, there's plenty of reason, and the 25% chance of getting the job is one of the main ones.

But I get the impression that you don't want to hear from those people, and that this is a rant thread, not a genuine enquiry such as one might gather from the thread title.

It is a rant thread, hence the rant in my OP.

However, why should and would I settle for one quote? If I did that I'd be paying £4k to get new guttering, fascia's and soffits.
The people who have been to see me have told me they expect me to get other prices, so I don't see the issue. When I worked in a computer shop I would take calls, put together a quote for a PC and then give it to the client. That DID take time. I expected that they got prices from elsewhere. I guess I just have a different expectation level than others, in that that not everyone wants the first price they get. Do you go to a car sales showroom and buy the first car you see just so that you do not waste the salesman/womans time?

Well, going by the title rather than your first post, the mistake you are making is that you are only seeing it from your own point of view. When you want to know why someone other than you is behaving in a certain way, you need to understand THEIR point of view, not yours.

Your position has obviously become entrenched so I'm really not expecting you to want to see what I am getting at.

As for getting more than one quote, sure, why not. But four is a bit much.

[TheAngryDog]

I'm going to agree to disagree. Yes I can see that some people wouldn't want to quote etc, but just tell me, rather than arranging a time, me leaving work early etc. And yes perhaps 4 quotes is a bit much. I won't be getting any more.

[mcg_]

TheAngryDog said:

Had 3 quotes up to now. £440, £460 (will be less without the ceiling being done which isn't needed) and £550. Last quote is tonight. I am inclined to go for the £440 as it while it ultimately wont be the cheapest, I have experience of the work he has done before (he did our kitchen before we bought the house and it looks a good job).

Personally, if I'd had a room done in the house and it was decent, then I'd just get him round again. Especially as it's just 1 room.

Whole house, sure maybe get a few quotes. Again though, if I know someones good I'll normally just use them again. The quality of a job lasts longer than the pain of having to pay out a few more quid.


Did our kitchen recently, the plumber, electrician, kitchen fitter, tiler and plasterer were people who I knew were good/well recommended. Asked them all 6 weeks in advance of the works starting and it all went pretty much to plan. I allowed contingency in timings as things can/do change or go wrong (like having to divert the gas, heating, hot/cold water pipes!)

[TheAngryDog]

mcg_ said:

TheAngryDog said:

Had 3 quotes up to now. £440, £460 (will be less without the ceiling being done which isn't needed) and £550. Last quote is tonight. I am inclined to go for the £440 as it while it ultimately wont be the cheapest, I have experience of the work he has done before (he did our kitchen before we bought the house and it looks a good job).

Personally, if I'd had a room done in the house and it was decent, then I'd just get him round again. Especially as it's just 1 room.

Whole house, sure maybe get a few quotes. Again though, if I know someones good I'll normally just use them again. The quality of a job lasts longer than the pain of having to pay out a few more quid.


Did our kitchen recently, the plumber, electrician, kitchen fitter, tiler and plasterer were people who I knew were good/well recommended. Asked them all 6 weeks in advance of the works starting and it all went pretty much to plan. I allowed contingency in timings as things can/do change or go wrong (like having to divert the gas, heating, hot/cold water pipes!)

We didn't know that he had done the kitchen until he came to round and told us as he recognised the house. As an extra, he had just been to the old owners of our house and done some plastering there.

[LeadFarmer]

Tradesmen are the first to moan when times are lean, with little work. But the rest of the time you just can't get them for love nor money. Ive been waiting for plasterers to get back to me for the last few weeks as I need two rooms re-plastering. Trying to get one to come and quote is impossible, they are all either too busy or they have poor organisational skills. This is why I have little sympathy for them when times are lean.

At least be honest and tell me your too busy, don't say you will come and then never turn up! Bastids!!!

[TheAngryDog]

LeadFarmer said:

Tradesmen are the first to moan when times are lean, with little work. But the rest of the time you just can't get them for love nor money. Ive been waiting for plasterers to get back to me for the last few weeks as I need two rooms re-plastering. Trying to get one to come and quote is impossible, they are all either too busy or they have poor organisational skills. This is why I have little sympathy for them when times are lean.

At least be honest and tell me your too busy, don't say you will come and then never turn up! Bastids!!!

Stop trying to waste their time you cretin!!! (sorry, couldn't resist).

Common courtesy costs nothing. Good luck finding a decent one!