Can You Negotiate/haggle With Plumber/builder/workman?

[mizfiesta]

I am hoping to have a shower installed as I only have a bath at the moment. The shower will be an 'over bath' installation and, as I the 'thermostatic' mixer tap variety...I really don't know too much about showers but I've think I've got that right! Anyway, my query relates to the work that I need carried out. I had a chap in today to look at work needing done and I've just received an email with an estimate of costs. The cost varies depending on what type of shower head I go for. My question is - if I find the cost of works slightly outwith my budget can I ask them to accept a lower offer/price? Also, they've stated the total costs as an estimate - so what if it goes up in price?! Can I ask them to cap it? Or would these suggestions be rude? Is it the 'done thing'?

[gingejbee]

If you get three quotes from different people, you can judge what a fair price is. Try to get "quotes" rather than "estimates"...the former should be fixed prices, the latter usually increase when it comes to pay!

[VHG]

Of course you can haggle, you can haggle for anything.

So if a quote was say £120 you could say "If you can do it for £100 I will accept your quote".

Make sure he know £100 is what you will pay, rather than if he says it is an estimate.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Before you try to haggle make sure that you have a detailed quote including makes/models etc because they may agree to a lower price and then use inferior products.

[Retrochic]

Builders will give free estimates - if you then want to take if further they will come give you a written quote if you want to give them the work,and you sign it -thats how we work. You can haggle of course - but beware the 'I can do the job for £500 cheaper' brigade -it will probably cost you £1000 to get it put right.

Your builder sounds reasonable -he has given you an Estimate but says the final cost will depend on the quality of fixtures and fittings ( this is where you can haggle) - builders farely if ever make profit on materials -they charge them at cost.

[The Builder]

When working out quotes or estimates, l tend to spend quite a lot of time getting it right. Not everyone does. I know the figure is right, so i dont get into haggling.
If i cant fine tune it to suit their budget, then i just politely walk away. I usually say something like... "I'm not the cheapest around, but .........." It does help to give people confidence.

If it's an estimate, then i do give a maximun figure that I will stick to if ive got it wrong.

[TonyV]

Spot on Builder you can get an estimate Miz but if you're not careful there maybe some "extras" which maybe exspensive.
Just write a list of what you want in detail i.e. Shower curtain etc and get 3 companies to quote for that. Sometimes installers will come up with better design or use of space because that's there job and they see it every day so you may come up with anew spec let the other companies quote to your final spec.