On 3/17/2021 2:17 PM, Sheldon Martin wrote:
> On Wed, 17 Mar 2021 10:11:50 -0400, Gary > wrote:
>
>> bruce bowser wrote:
>>> Get 4 or 5 separate installers over to the house for estimates
>>> for you - yes - literally - at the same time. That way you get them
>>> to quote prices to you at the same time and one can tell if the
>>> other one is padding expenses or not. Then, you get the cheapest price
>>
>> Getting a few estimates is good but not all at the same moment.
>> If I showed up for an estimate and saw other contractors there, I'd just
>> leave. Screw your job.
>>
>> And don't always pick the cheapest contractor just based on price.
>> Sometimes, you get what you pay for. Inferior products and substandard
>> work for a cheaper price.
>
> Precisely... the cheap ends up expensive. Best to see photos of the
> work and talk with the people he worked for.
> I never look for the lowest price.

I was always one of the high priced painters. All of my customers were
referred by their friends or neighbors. Word of mouth was my only
advertising. Maybe about half of the jobs I got, they never even asked
for an estimate. They had already heard that I did quality work and
charged fairly. I was often able to charge less than an estimated price
and I did that.