I'm looking to replace half the windows in my house—half of them are from an addition built in 1997 and are in terrible shape, while the other half are about 10 years old. After two years of searching and dealing with outrageous quotes, we finally found a contractor. During our recent conversation to finalize dates, he mentioned that when he started in the business 24 years ago, he was taught to charge based on the neighborhood and the cars people drive. I had my suspicions about this but is it really a common practice? We live in a nice suburb, but most of our street is made up of blue-collar workers, while a small portion of the area is upscale. It's frustrating for us, as we feel penalized for the wealth around us when it comes to basic home improvements. I'm venting a bit, but I really want to hear honest opinions from contractors on this issue.
3 Answers
I’ve been in a similar boat, living in an area where perceptions don’t always match reality. I've noticed that contractors often want to size you up based on where you live and who you are. My own experience has been that the quotes can significantly differ based on assumptions about how much money you've got. Best advice? Have a clear idea of what you can afford and don't hesitate to challenge their pricing.
True that! I've learned that being upfront about your budget can sometimes lead to better deals. Just be smart about it.
As a contractor for nearly three decades, I usually set my prices based on the time it will take and my hourly or daily rates. When this pricing based on neighborhood comes into play, I personally find it unethical. If a contractor thinks they can charge you more just because of where you live, I wouldn't want to work with them, plain and simple.
I feel you! That kind of talk from a contractor is just shocking to me. I think there are often valid reasons for price differences depending on expectations and quality, but straight charging based on neighborhood? That's a whole different ball game!
I totally agree. I work in the trades too and I've seen this mentality firsthand. But honestly, it goes back to the work standards and what folks expect in higher-end areas. A job in a fancy neighborhood might come with extra requests and specifications!
From my experience selling windows in a well-off area, it’s not uncommon for contractors to try to make a bigger profit when they think they can. It does feel good to see you have a decent contractor lined up. It’s essential to get a good referral, which can really save you from those wild quotes.
Exactly! Getting referrals is key. It can help you find fair pricing without the crazy markup.
And it’s good to hear that you appreciate a reasonable quote—those are hard to come by, especially in competitive markets!
Exactly! It's crucial to know your own worth and budget. I've had contractors pull some crazy quotes based on guesses about my finances too.