I can't speak for others but my first price is the only one you get. Most guys know that you will get other bids and give you their best price up front in fear of not being called back because they were to high.
Buying a HVAC system for a home is something the common homeowner does maybe once or twice in their life. I am the type of person that never accepts the first quoted/listed price on any major purchase. Is it a common practice to quote a little high in order to give room to match another quote or to match a price I would come back with as an acceptable one that I would pay for a system? I dont want to offend any professional here but i feel that if i pay the first quoted price it is the same as walking onto a car dealers lot and paying sticker price.
I can't speak for others but my first price is the only one you get. Most guys know that you will get other bids and give you their best price up front in fear of not being called back because they were to high.
HVAC is not like buying cars.
I never sway from my quoted price.
Some people may mark up the price if they can tell you're going to try and get them to lower it.
I do this w/ middle eastern and asian folks because I know that they will beat me down on price and won't sign unless they feel they're getting a "deal"...
How tall are you Private???!!!!
the guys I know have 1 price, like yellow dot said, this isnt like buying cars.
Amazing! When figuring all thats needed and appropriate mark-ups etc. our quote must make a certain margin, if not were losing money not making it. If your choosing the low baller, they don't have the overhead a true company has, and they tend to disappear. I have been on quotes when the low ball hack has called while I was there, and they told the HO they would quote 500$ less than mine no matter what my price was. I laughed and told the HO $500. He chose mine even though I was actually 1k higher.
So, you get what you get, unless there are rebates in it don't expect the price to be dropped because you want to haggle.
Proud supporter of Springfield Millers and Oregon Ducks.
Thanks for all the feedback...I understand the dangers with low ball bidders...would never go with a lower price when i know in my gut the higher bid would be a better solution. Looks like the general consensus in the business is that the price on the quote that is usually given is the contractors best price they want to present. Equipment cost is only part of the overall cost...installtion, service after the fact and if the contractor will still be in business 5 years from now, all play a part in an overall decision.
I know I'm too busy (as all hvacr guys are most of the time)to play games with customers. After my quote is put together that's it. I'd love to provide environmental comfort services for you but the price is the price.
"The meek shall inherit the earth"
"he that's walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly" Proverbs 13:20
"Pressure is something people feel when they don't know what their doing". Peyton Manning-superbowl MVP
It usually goes something like this,you go with the quoted price the company comes to your house spends all day doing a top notch job system works great.or you beat them down 500 bucks the salesman that sold the job tells the installers to git-er dun because i made nothing on this job.
I find myself in a similar situation. I have three quotes from reputable established dealers and they vary by as much as $1500. Two are within $500.00 of each other and the other is $1000.00 higher(exact same equipment). All the companies are in the Lennox Circle of Excellence, and none have any Better Business Bureau complaints. Two of the companies performed a load calculation. Should I ask for references? What is a homeowner to do? I want this to be a win-win as in my experience this philosophy treats everyone involved with respect.
I would use 1 of the 2 that did calcs.
Go with your gut on who you think will do the better job.
Most times the gut feeling is correct!
How tall are you Private???!!!!
I would say they are all pretty close. I would ask what kind of material they are using(metal duct or fiber duct)
What kind of trunks, transisitions and how much flexable duct they are using. Often times the higher price is really the better value if the duct system is designed for proper airflow rather than cost. One man will install 10 6 in supplies and one may install the correct size for each room to maintain the proper static pressure. If you have a 13 seer unit running with the wrong static pressure you will never know except the system will use 20% more electric.
Go with who you feel did a good presentation with a load calc, he will be the most likely to design the air distribution system properly.
Quality and Value Service and Repair
I had that happen to me today ,I was 500 more on an Ifinity heatpump system, the lady showed me the paper with the notes she wrote because the guy would not give her a quote in writing.Of course no warranty and nothing but her notes that she wrote down based off of the phone. She of course said I want you to do the job,can you match his price?I said No but if she did not see the 500 differance from us and them I should get anew line of work.I said do just sign your notes and fax it back to him,or how does it work?
It's NOT the BRAND,it's the company that installs it!!!!!
working with a top notch contractor is worth a premium I am happy to pay for top notch professionals that take pride in every single thing they do.
My only relief on price I ask for is a discount for paying cash. Normally, they are happy to take someting off to get paid when the job is done and not worry about chashing checks or credit card fees.
the only time i see the price change is when the words "I'LL PAY CASH" are used
or taxes?Originally posted by bdx
My only relief on price I ask for is a discount for paying cash. Normally, they are happy to take someting off to get paid when the job is done and not worry about chashing checks or credit card fees.
My price is the same even if you're paying with gold!Originally posted by bdx
My only relief on price I ask for is a discount for paying cash. Normally, they are happy to take someting off to get paid when the job is done and not worry about chashing checks or credit card fees.
How tall are you Private???!!!!
The price bid is the price it is,now if you want a lower price .....I take something away from what I proposed to do. If I get what is bid I owe you everthing I said I would do and Im not cutting any corners to make more money. No himming or hawing about warranties or good service, you payed for it so I owe it. You offer to pay cash .... makes no differance, what you want me to give you the impression Im a tax cheat or something. If you trust me to be honest with you and do what I tell you I will do, dont try to get me to deal on the side at something that is questionable or is something that would have me looking over my shoulder at the consquences. The amount is owed wether cash, check, money order or whatever unless its a credit card. With the credit card you pay more being they charge me to take it. Now they say you cant do that , I look at it If Im going to take a credit card you pay the fee or I dont take it . If the credit card company doesnt like it , tough. Its not my job financing someones bill. You want the best price then dont ask me to pay a finance charge on a credit card. I should not be losing money being your trying to get frequent flyer miles.
Thats just my opinion tho.
" Normally, they are happy to take someting off to get paid when the job is done and not worry about chashing checks or credit card fees."
I expect to get paid on completion and don't care if it is cash or cheque. I don't accept M/C or Visa and tell the customer to arrange their own financing, I don't finance and the bank doesn't do HVAC. As far as a break by paying cash, no sir. I have been audited a few times and don't need that kind of skelleton hidden in my closet. I pay my taxes (though not happily) and I expect others to pay theirs as well. First we have people asking how can I find an honest HVAC company and then wanting them to work under the table. No Dice mate. As far as getting paid on completion, I am not a great fan of waiting 30 days or more to be paid. If I go and buy groceries I am sure they won't let me out the door with them and pay for them in 30 days. When I have contractors work for me on my own home, I pay on completion of the job. I budget for it so the money is available and don't have jobs done if I can't afford to do it. I expect my customers to show me the same respect and consideration.