who do you negotiate with (house repairs)

Just wondering if it's customary to negotiate an estimated price for repairs. Who expects it? Floor repair people, plumbers, painters, contractors? Or is it customary just to plan on paying the estimated price?


You can certainly get estimates from multiple providers and then use those to negotiate, but usually I've found there is not a great deal of wiggle room, especially with how busy most local providers are.


Many times a contractor has given me one number for a big job so I will ask for a breakdown of the estimate and use that to decide on the full scope or not.


In my experience, tradespeople like plumbers and electricians and painters have set rates for jobs or standard hourly rates that leave them unwilling and uninterested in turning the process into something resembling an auction. The bottom line is you need them -- assuming they're reputable and talented -- way more than they need you, because the next person who calls them plans to pay the set rate. 



In order to add a comment – you must Join this community – Click here to do so.