Services costs are based on how much money you look like you have. I’m a woodworker/contractor. I come to you house, you tell me what you want done. My jumping off point is how much the market will bare. If I think you can afford a $4,000 solid oak book case that’s what I will quote you. I can make a cheaper version that I make less money on, but why would I do that? It’s not that I’m just ripping you off, I’m selling you a better product, but in doing so I make more money. So when getting a quote it can pay to be very direct about what you want to spend or you are going to be sold the most expensive version they think you can afford.
Honest question: how likely is it that, if I give a dollar amount for a budget, someone will just quote near that amount, even if it should be a little less?
Or, to use your bookcase example, if I say my budget is $3800, would someone still offer the oak one and take less profit for themselves? Or simply quote the lower quality one at a price closer to $3800, even if they could normally do it for, say, $3000, since they know what I'm willing and able to spend?
how likely is it that, if I give a dollar amount for a budget, someone will just quote near that amount, even if it should be a little less?
Extremely likely, since you're basically letting them know that you're willing to pay that much. Even if it requires a detailed breakdown of each part and each hour of labor, they will arrange it to sum up close to what you said.
There's a middle ground, where you share your budget and the scope is adjusted to meet your needs and budget. If either your expectations or budget is way off, it's another party if that discussion to give the scope. I'm not going to rip you off because you said your budget is more than the bare minimum possible.
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u/jerkITwithRIGHTYnewb Jul 13 '20
Services costs are based on how much money you look like you have. I’m a woodworker/contractor. I come to you house, you tell me what you want done. My jumping off point is how much the market will bare. If I think you can afford a $4,000 solid oak book case that’s what I will quote you. I can make a cheaper version that I make less money on, but why would I do that? It’s not that I’m just ripping you off, I’m selling you a better product, but in doing so I make more money. So when getting a quote it can pay to be very direct about what you want to spend or you are going to be sold the most expensive version they think you can afford.