this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2024
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Don't let any contractors into your house until you've lived there for at least a few months, and learn how to recognize high pressure sales pitches from them. They'll take advantage of you if you don't. Always get more than one quote. If you're as much as tell them you're getting multiple quotes, they'll start lowering their prices pretty dramatically.
Examples of high pressure sales tactics:
They'll insist that your spouse be home during the demonstration. That's red flag number one.
They'll go to get something from their car, and Ithey'll ask if it's okay for them to let themselves back in. Most homeowners don't think anything of this, but this is actually a psychological trick. The idea is that you wouldn't allow someone to let themselves into your house unless you trusted them, and if you trust them, you're much more likely to do business with them.
They'll spend 3 hours talking about how great whatever it is they're selling is, and it will start to feel like the only way to get these people out of your house is to sign a dotted line.
They'll do whatever they can to stop you from talking to other companies. That's why they'll start lowering their prices as soon as you mention that you're getting multiple quotes.
After 30 years of owning my own home my red flag is when they say "this is going to be a big job".
Probably because it is, they don't like you, or they don't want the job.
I'm not trying to be mean, but contractors will price it outrageously or say "this will be a big job" because they don't want the job, so you say no.
I have plenty of experience working with contractors. I am a contractor. Many of my friends are contractors. When there is an abundance of work they'll bid high. If they don't get the job no big deal. If they get paid well then why not take it on, push lesser paying jobs back. Both times I heard this phrase they were making a big deal about nothing and I got someone to do it much cheaper.