Getting a fair price

harr

Ok
Bit of a long one, a few years back we got a tiler in to do a fair amount of work. He was highly recommended and his work was excellent but his price was nearly €1000 euro dearer than others we priced so we asked if that was his best price and we haggled a little till we agreed on €4500 instead of €5000.
All was good till payment was due and he invoices us for full €5000 even though we had a Written quote For €4500 which in the end be grudgingly took the 4,500.

Recently We needed a days tiling done and gave this lad a ring and he refused the job and said he wouldn’t work for people who wouldn’t pay their dues. I had words with him and that was that. But I have been told he has been bad mouthing us to other trades people and telling them to make sure they add a few extra hundred euro to any written quote they give us.
This info came from a friend who works at the trade counter in local hardware store.

Now we feel we are probably getting overcharged
By other trades people. Any work we need we are trying or keep local.
What approach should I take on this , the tiler in question wouldn’t even answer his phone to me now.

sydthebeat

Why would it be unusual to expect trades people to add a little wiggle room if you have a reputation for negotiating??

That's business.

ebbsy

Report him to Revenue.

That will teach him.

sydthebeat

ebbsy wrote: »

Report him to Revenue.

That will teach him.

For what?

harr

sydthebeat wrote: »

Why would it be unusual to expect trades people to add a little wiggle room if you have a reputation for negotiating??

That's business.

I understand that I am well aware all trades do that more the reason to haggle In first place.
But this individual is giving the impression we didn’t pay him for the work he had done or that we cheated him out of €500 in some way...

listermint

have you considered this fella has a penchant for spoofing and the people he talks to know that. Ive found that these individuals are generally known for their 'talk' but thats all it is.

For me id forget about it and never deal with him again. Clearly just a prick with a mouth.

ht9zni1gs28crp

Did he give you the quote in writing or was it verbal only?

Lumen

I've had a similar-ish experience where a local tradesperson got his nose out of joint when I asked for a quote and then never took him up on the work, and then (allegedly) slagged me to at least one other local tradesperson with racial slurs.

I figured that he was used to getting all the work locally and was didn't like his time being wasted.

Whilst in your case it is arguably defamation, it's best to just let it go. Life's too short.

sydthebeat

harr wrote: »

I understand that I am well aware all trades do that more the reason to haggle In first place.
But this individual is giving the impression we didn’t pay him for the work he had done or that we cheated him out of €500 in some way...

it sounds like youre asking a different question than the one in the OP

your issue is really with this one tradesman, and that needs to be dealt with.
trades people meet each other on jobs all the time, so if you feel hes bad mouthing you, then you must let him know in no uncertain circumstances that you will spread his name around as reneging on his quotes and adding on costs during the job.



your original question about how to do you ensure your getting a fair price and not being over charged..... well thats easy... get loads of quotes, min 3, for each job. Go out side of the local area if you feel you can get a better price for the same quality.

harr

miller_63 wrote: »

Did he give you the quote in writing or was it verbal only?

Got in writing and I still have it here ...

harr

sydthebeat wrote: »

it sounds like youre asking a different question than the one in the OP

your issue is really with this one tradesman, and that needs to be dealt with.
trades people meet each other on jobs all the time, so if you feel hes bad mouthing you, then you must let him know in no uncertain circumstances that you will spread his name around as reneging on his quotes and adding on costs during the job.



your original question about how to do you ensure your getting a fair price and not being over charged..... well thats easy... get loads of quotes, min 3, for each job. Go out side of the local area if you feel you can get a better price for the same quality.

I reason I was asking about getting a fair price is because his individual is telling anyone who will listen I am not reliable in getting payment and than I will haggle about everything which isn’t true , all I can ever ask is “is that your best price “ so I am sure some individuals listen to him and up a quote price when I ask.
I like to keep work locally if I can. I can’t be certain people are believing him or even listening to him.
I have used numerous trades the last few years and this individual is the only problem I have had.

mrs.doubt.fire

Asking other trades men to recommend other trades men is a way to go or ask in your local hardware store, they know all the trades men.

I agree with someone said to get at least 3 quotes for the same job, but in my experience, the one that comes in with the measuring tape pen and paper and get back to you with a price are the ones who know what they are doing, the ones that come in and just look around with their hands in their pockets and give you a quote straight away - keep away from them as chances are they are cowboys and if your lucky...they wont turn up on the day.

Go to your local hardware store and ask them to recommend a tiler Just to see if they mention his name lol

As for haggling on the price...aww here, we all do it, it's an Irish thing.