Didn't get a second estimate...

[Oggy]

So I had some tree work done in my yard this past week. And, as the title suggests, I only had one person give me an estimate.

You know, I'm not upset about it. But it got me thinking about why...

I had never used this company before, but he did come recommended by my neighbor. He also just did work for another neighbor...

His price for what I was asking seemed fair. When asked about a cash discount, there wasn't really one. And he didn't ask for a deposit before doing any work, just payment upon completion.

So because of all of the above, I felt comfortable with not getting another estimate. I'm happy with the work he did, and the price charged.

Who's been in a similar situation with a similar outcome? And for what reason didn't you get a second estimate?

 

[p00p]

quick time to completion without any deposit. especially cement work.

 

[LXCam]

If you're happy with the results, WHY?. I normally have a real good idea of what something should go for if I'm not going to do it myself. More importantly I know what I don't want to do and what that's worth to me. If I'm comfortable with a guy/company and don't feel like I'm going to get shafted I'll pay the fee without hesitation.

 

[The Cobbler]

Sometimes when you have a good feel , it works out. sometimes it doesn't
the fact that you had a bit of history with these guys helped.

 

[PCustoms]

Did exactly what the OP did.

New a guy, had Him come by one night and quote removing 2 giant oaks. Work involved a bucket on one and climbing the other, a crane and chipping the branches.

Price was good and I paid when the job was done. We were both happy, why look and further.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I did the same thing with my electrician but he's a little pricey now. Guess when I gave him a tip the last couple times he got the idea I was loaded or something.

 

[Copymutt]

Great endings, but lets suppose your choice in contractor had let his insurance lapse, and the tree ended up on your garage, car, or home. I always ask for proof of liability insurance.

 

[klassenl]

I have done the one estimate thing. But only with trades that come recommended by others I trust or with trades I know personally.

 

[Jinks]

The definition of a "GOOD" deal is when both parties are happy. Sounds to me like you got a good deal.......

 

[kelpaso1]

Great endings, but lets suppose your choice in contractor had let his insurance lapse, and the tree ended up on your garage, car, or home. I always ask for proof of liability insurance.

Just because he shows you a piece of paper doesn't mean the policy valid and paid for.

 

[unslow1]

Just because he shows you a piece of paper doesn't mean the policy valid and paid for.

I think that would be so easy to fake there is almost no point in asking for it unless you plan to call the the insurance company.

 

[victor252]

I think that would be so easy to fake there is almost no point in asking for it unless you plan to call the the insurance company.

Even if some contractors will fake having insurance, not all of the uninsured contractors will. It's better to ask just to eliminate those who don't bother faking it. I think a lot (but not all) of people who are too lazy/cheap/incompetent to do the right thing are often too lazy to FAKE doing the right thing.

Or the contractor may honestly tell you he doesn't have insurance and that is why his price is so low. Always better to ask.

 

[FMB4]

Did the same with the removal of a medium sized pine tree. The guy performing the estimate showed a few minutes early. We felt good about him and the estimate. The crew was on time and did a great job (the yard was actually cleaner when they left). Year later we had the tree service remove a very large poplar. Again everybody was on time and crew did another great job.

However, this tree service was initially highly recommended to my wife by the owner of the company she works for. She looked over their online website and their customer reviews. She also verified their contractor license by phone.

Now here's the kicker; I recommend that people get at least 2 estimates while verifying everything they can. We were lucky while others are not.

 

[SlotlessMan]

If I know how much something should cost and I get an estimate that reflects this, I would just proceed.

I would get multiple quotes if...

1) I am not sure about the cost of something.
2) I am not sure what exactly is involved to get the job done properly.
2) IMO, the quote seems high for work being performed.

I always ask about cash discounts, it can take a high bid into normal territory!

 

[dcg9381]

Who's been in a similar situation with a similar outcome? And for what reason didn't you get a second estimate?

Usually for the first time doing something, I'll seek multiple estimates. But there are contractors that I work with now - I no longer shop around. Concrete and foam insulation are examples.

 

[APEowner]

I'll get multiple bids on projects if I don't have a good idea of what's a reasonable price and/or I don't already have a contractor I trust. Otherwise, it's just a waste of everyone's time.

 

[SKFengineer]

I've done the same thing with tree guys, concrete guys, roof guys you name it. I typically have a pretty good idea of the market and the quality of work I want, I know what I'm willing to spend so if a number seems to be in my ballpark I'm good. So far I'm been either extremely lucky or extremely successful with this method. I know it's subjective but I'm a pretty good judge of character and if someone rubs me wrong I just move on, this has happened, I've had people show up that I just want to leave the minute they get here... The irony is the only person that's been a pain to deal with is a friend of mine I contracted to do some work at the house...

Thinking more, I chuckle because my brother gets 3,4 and 5 bids sometimes. Then makes spreadsheets on things, compares them left and right and makes a choice. Typically even after all the work he does we are within 1% difference on similar jobs at our houses.

 

[Pike2350]

I've done it and worked out. even with non-recommended contractors....so far, almost all have worked out fine.

As to WHY we don't get multiple bids sometimes. I think there are various reasons. For me, if I don't get multiple bids it's A) had a good feeling about someone and their price. B) got a good referral from someone. C) I had a hell of a time getting even 1 person to come bid in the first place.

I had C) happen to me recently...and it ended up putting the project on hold. Early last year (pre Covid and pricing/material boom) I had been trying to get contractors to come give me estimates on a house addition. I called numerous contractors, some talked on the phone but never showed up for the actual site look over and bid process. Some just never returned calls. After contacting 5 contractors, I finally got one that talked to me on the phone and when he came to do the bid, seemed very reasonable and good. The formal bid was supposed to take a week. I called after 2 and got some run around. After the 3rd he said he couldn't do the job due to being so busy. At least tell me that upfront with some timeframe...or don't come bid in the first place. Wife and I decided to put the project on hold (thank goodness we did, the price would've jumped a lot) Now we are going to wait until either I can sub out the major stuff and I handle all the finishing, OR we can find a recommended contractor that isn't a complete waste of space.

I had similar issues with the garage build 2 years ago. I couldn't get anyone to come bid it. We have Tuff Shed, and a few other places that do garages around here...and even they wouldn't come give me an actual bid....they just ballparked it on the phone. I went with the 2nd bid I got. The 1st seemed to oversell himself. The 1st was more expensive and I researched him later and found his license was revoked 4 months after I got his bid due to overpromising and failing to resolve issues with a few customers.

So basically, some of us just hate dealing with the bidding process. I feel the amount of work it takes just to oversee the bidding process means I'm going to have to put in that amount 10fold just to keep one of the contractors on task. If they can show up and you get a good feeling, sometimes it just seems the risk is worth the lack of headache. I ultimately have TRIED to get multiple bids, but I'm not very successful at it.

 

[FMB4]

I think Pike2350 is correct in that the bidding process can be a time wasting pain. We once requested bids on replacing the roof on our house. And (IIRC) only one company of 3 showed up on a scheduled weekday estimate. We went with that Co. The other 2 wasted our time by pulling a 'no show'.

 

[engineer2]

I got an ad on the door about a tree service working down the street. Called the number and told them I needed a 6" dia branch hanging over my shed cut off. They were there a short time later and got it done. Cut and stacked for firewood. $120. I was happy to get it done with minimal hassle.

 

[Dadillac]

So I had some tree work done in my yard this past week. And, as the title suggests, I only had one person give me an estimate.

You know, I'm not upset about it. But it got me thinking about why...

I had never used this company before, but he did come recommended by my neighbor. He also just did work for another neighbor...

His price for what I was asking seemed fair. When asked about a cash discount, there wasn't really one. And he didn't ask for a deposit before doing any work, just payment upon completion.

So because of all of the above, I felt comfortable with not getting another estimate. I'm happy with the work he did, and the price charged.

Who's been in a similar situation with a similar outcome? And for what reason didn't you get a second estimate?

Same thing here. Had a guy come out to replace all my landscape mulch with Delaware stone. Also had another part of the yard stoned. Price was fair so I said go ahead. Work was completed today and it looks fantastic. Waiting on the contractor to arrive for payment. Sometimes you just know when you will be okay with the first estimate. Sometimes getting multiple bids and picking one ends up being the wrong choice. Roll those dice and take your chances.

Don

 

[Boilerhouse]

I live in a heavily treed area, and tree removal guys are always very busy. Last year, most didn't even return my phone calls, so the one guy I did get a hold of was prompt, professional and expensive.
This year for a different tree, I gave the job to another guy whose work I am familiar with. He is professional, cheap, and two months later, I am still waiting....

 

[Killer95Stang]

I once saw that a neighbor was getting a tree removed. There was a wood chipper and a stump grinder parked outside in the street. I walked over and talked to the guy that looked like he was in charge. I asked if he had time to give me a quote on removing and grinding a tree stump. We were getting our pool built in the coming months and that wasn't part of the pool contract. The guy came over and said for $400 he could have it done the same day. I said how about $350 and he agreed to the price. A couple hours later the tree was gone. I tend to not over think things and try not to second guess split second decisions.

On a side note, floating around in the pool on a 100 degree day feels great.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Very rarely do I hire anything done, that's just me.

However, I prefer word of mouth recommendations over getting multiple estimates.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

If you're happy with the results, WHY?

I agree. Neither my wife nor myself enjoy getting quotes for work. Before we had good ones we could choose from we would get a few, but now we don't need to really.

When we had our siding replaced, we only got one quote, from the contractor who did our roof which we were very happy with. When we go for a new HVAC system, we'll probably get a couple, but will hopefully go with the no-BS company we've had out a couple of times to refill the R22 in our AC system. They warn us about the age (30 yo) but don't pull the cracked heat exchanger card.

 

[Oggy]

I was hoping to have this done about a month prior, unfortunately rain and rental companies didn't cooperate. He did call apologizing, but I wouldn't want to do that work in the rain either, and definitely wouldn't want someone hurt because of it.

Too often we hear about the bad things that happen with the people we hire, it's great to hear about the success stories.

 

[Firebrick43]

I have never gotten a second bid from the few contractors I have hired. I feel its a waste of their time and mine. Now that being said, if I even contact a contractor I have seen their work already, had some recommendations, and have vetted them.

 

[LeonardY]

I haven't gotten a second bid ever. I do enough research up front to know if the price is in the ballpark. I always go with local guys and get recommendations. My friends know I am particular but not unreasonable. I had a few bids where "I've have a bad feeling about this." and didn't go with them even if their price was good.
I've said in another thread. I usually chat with them about stuff a bit and ask questions. Show them work I've done around the house. They usually get that I can do the work myself but I am choosing not to or I know when I'm over my head.

If I get a good feeling and a fair price I go with it. So far I have not had any problems.