https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 09:47:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2212521 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:56:15 +0000 MaryM 2212521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends on the job. DH manages a business and we're able to hire the handy man he uses there to do a lot of stuff around our house (anything electrical, they've also replaced our patio ceiling that was about to cave in, minor roofing, etc.)</p> <p>When we looked at redoing our old kitchen, we got four or five quotes, but we also weren't quite ready to pull the trigger anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2212485 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:27:31 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2212485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't feel bad at all! He would probably expect that. We do one for small things, but for a reno is probably want two. (But I'm more like you.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2212067 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:37:54 +0000 sunny 2212067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have usually gotten at least 2-3 for things that will be in the $1000s. For smaller items, I usually have a ballpark idea of how much it will cost so I don't need to get as many quotes. We are going to be doing a new roof and gutters soon. Ouch!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2212039 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:26:58 +0000 yoursilverlining 2212039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Really depends on the situation. When we got our mini splits installed, I was able to research online and knew what the right ballpark $$ was. We called two local places, who both came out and quoted basically identical quotes.</p> <p>For stuff like plumbing and electrical work that we’ve had done, we relied on the recommendation of a good friend. We didn’t bother to look around for anyone else. We also have a general handyman guy who does some work for us, and he was on recommendation of a friend. I’ve never bothered to call around, because he’s reliable and his cost seems reasonable to us, even though I’m sure we could get cheaper help. </p> <p>When I hired the painters for my MIL’s house, I had no idea what $$ to expect, so I ended up calling a bunch of places – only 3 could come out and give estimates, which were all over the board. I picked the middle of the road estimate, as I don’t really like going with the cheapest since you get what you pay for generally, and the top priced one was way more than the others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211953 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 09:27:03 +0000 edelweiss 2211953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2-3. i would get at least 1 more just to make sure the first guy's estimate isn't completely whack. if your husband wants a third, he can organize the logistics on that in a timely fashion :)</p> <p>don't feel guilty--contractors expect that you'll be getting multiple quotes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211939 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 09:16:58 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2211939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Usually at least 3. I'm not a fan of overpaying for quality work, so we do a good amount of research if we're doing something big. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211933 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 09:12:13 +0000 ShootingStar 2211933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It usually depends on the situation for me. We've had guys come out and I felt like they were taking advantage of us, so we got several quotes. Another time, we had a small but serious problem with our roof and the guy was incredibly nice (went on the roof and did a temporary fix for free) and his price was good plus he was available to do the work the next day. So I went with him and had no regrets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211900 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 08:45:42 +0000 Bluemasonjar 2211900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I typically try to get at least 2 quotes so I have a comparison and know if I am paying a fair price. Although recently we needed our garage doors replaced and our neighbor was able to get us a discount through his family business and did the install. I did some Googling to get estimated costs for comparison but trusted that he was giving us a good deal. And if anything breaks he lives right next door so he promised us a "lifetime warranty" :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211860 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 08:10:59 +0000 Chillybear 2211860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I try to do my due diligence and have a realistic idea of what we're able to spend on the job and what it should cost. I'll usually get quotes until I find a service that is in line with our budget, has good references or was recommended by someone i know personally, and when I talk to them I have a good report with. If it happens to be the first person that comes in so be it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211844 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 07:50:23 +0000 Ree723 2211844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After spending all morning on the phone with various builders, we decided to hire the guy who came out this morning and gave us our only quote. Everyone else is booked up through November (our guy had a cancellation, hence why he is available to start next week), and we just can't wait that long as our bathroom has a serious mould problem that needs to be addressed.</p> <p>I'm a bit nervous but I did a lot of research online and his quote sounds spot on for the work that needs to be done. He also asked the right questions and noticed the little stuff that needs fixing (DH is a structural engineer and has pointed out all the structural issues etc to me so I am well versed in the details of the work) - our main priority was making sure whoever did the work would actually take the time to fix all the 'little' things and he seemed to get it, so we'll see how it goes! </p> <p>Now for having a bathroom completely out of commission for 3-4 weeks, this being our only bathroom with a bathtub - this is going to be a fun challenge with a 1 yr old and 3 yr old! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211837 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 07:42:19 +0000 yellowbird 2211837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When our ac unit died I got three quotes. I am so glad I did because the third guy did the work for $1000 less and it has been perfect! I will def shop around for all big renos </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211814 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 07:20:57 +0000 Bao 2211814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we replaced windows we got 3-4 quotes. The last one was the best quality and priced way below the rest. So glad we did our homework. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211809 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 07:05:55 +0000 PurplePumps 2211809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>3 or 4 usually. I'm a bargain hunter, there's no way I wouldnt comparison shop a bunch first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211806 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 07:01:12 +0000 Foodnerd81 2211806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've only had to do one big thing for our condo so far (replace water heater). Many other units in our building have used this one company, and we heard only good reviews but that they were slightly more expensive than some others. So we had them come out and give us a quote which was in line with what our neighbors told us. Dh called one other company but we didn't even bother having them come out. Went with the company everyone else used. </p> <p>I think we would have been more picky if we hadn't seen the truck from this company outside our building so many times already! (Water heaters tend to need to be replaced after a certain amount of time and they were all installed at the same time, so all replaced at the same time). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211800 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:53:37 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 2211800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get a few. We needed our front steps replaced (they're stone) and I got quotes all over the place - anywhere from $3700 all the way to $8500 for the same job! </p> <p>If I had gone with the first person we'd have been broke! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211799 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:47:08 +0000 lamariniere 2211799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would get 3. You don't necessarily have to go with the lowest quote, but I would do it anyways to get a general idea. I think contractors assume that they are going to be compared to other service providers, so I wouldn't worry about hurting feelings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211796 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:34:34 +0000 NovBaby1112 2211796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually get 2-3 quotes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211794 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:32:39 +0000 MrsADS 2211794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just signed a contract to put new hurricane impact windows in our house (we live in Florida) - a big $$$ project - and we got 3 quotes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211788 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:26:04 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2211788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Two ish. However, we are about to list our house and need a few very small things done so we hired a contractor our realtor recommended without looking around first. We didn't have time and he had a good price. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211786 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:22:47 +0000 travelingnanny 2211786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we redid our kitchen/baths we hired the first company we interviewed. </p> <p>When we needed our house painted we interviewed two different companies. We went with the second. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211777 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:06:42 +0000 looch 2211777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211776 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:05:29 +0000 Adira 2211776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm the same as you! I feel really guilty not going with someone who took the time out to come give me a quote, especially if they are nice! BUT most contract work is totally understandable that you'll shop around and aren't offended by it! When we did some major landscaping to our yard, we got three quotes before we settled on someone. We actually really wanted to go with someone else who does the yardwork for most of our neighbors, but they quoted us high. We tried to negotiate with them, but they just told us they didn't need our business if we got a better deal with someone else! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211771 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 05:49:18 +0000 FannyMae 2211771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Almost always - only one. My husband is a tradesman, I work doing quotations, and I generally have a good idea if a price is fair or not. Often I will have a customer come in, I will give them an idea on price based on sizes/work explanation. Then we will go out to do a proper measure and quote, confirm the price is the same.... and wait til 6 months later when they get back to us after collecting a million quotes and deciding we are worth it. Then they get sh!tty that they have to wait for the work to be done because someone else got in first! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-you-need-work-done-on-the-house-how-many-quotes-do-you-usually-get#post-2211770 Thu, 18 Jun 2015 05:43:03 +0000 Ree723 2211770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am rubbish at this! We just had a guy come over to give us a quote for a complete bathroom renovation and because he was super nice (and seemed really good at what he does, has excellent reviews and references, and gave us what I believe to be a reasonable price), I'm happy to just go ahead and give him the job. Then I called DH who said he wants at least two more quotes before he chooses one....and now I feel really guilty having to call this guy back and say we'll get back to you later after we've had some more quotes!</p> <p>I always do this - for some reason I feel as though it is a personal affront to people if I don't give them my business, which is so stupid, especially when we're talking about substantial amounts of money. I just sort of feel as though if we like a person, the price sounds right, and we seem reasonably satisfied they're going to do a good job, there is no need to keep having more people come through to give quotes. DH says a minimum of three quotes for any and all work we want done.</p> <p>Where do you fall on the spectrum? And does anyone else suffer from a guilt complex when not hiring a specific person for a job? </p>