How to deal with contractors pricing your project by zip code?

[Anonymous]

They always want to see it, and once they see it, the price totally depends on where you live.

How do you get anything done?

[Anonymous]

We live in Vienna but in an older small home. It doesn’t seem to matter though, we still get quoted very high prices even if they see our home in person. I don’t think there is a way around it other than knowing someone in contractor world you have a personal connection with.

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's different elsewhere, but my neighborhood (homes 1.1m+) seems to have certain neighborhood friendly contractors who get a lot of business. Some actually live in the neighborhood, others are just nearby and do good work at fair prices. Try asking around for recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Pony up.

[Anonymous]

I’ve lived in two very different local zip codes and the prices for most stuff have been the same. Plumbing, electrical, blah blah. Idk what else you are sourcing but my home maintenance costs are very similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve lived in two very different local zip codes and the prices for most stuff have been the same. Plumbing, electrical, blah blah. Idk what else you are sourcing but my home maintenance costs are very similar.

The most annoying thing in fact is that some vendors exclude PG county from their “service area.”

[Anonymous]

I had a contractor give me a large price range (double) depending on some things and I knew that those things were the best case for us given what he said (and he already knew the zip code) so I was expecting the lower number but then once he saw inside the house he said the maximum number. He wanted the job but just assumed we’d pay more for it because he figured we had the money. I was so annoyed and obviously did not accept his quote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They always want to see it, and once they see it, the price totally depends on where you live.

How do you get anything done?

If it’s a custom quote, how do you know that it would be different if you lived elsewhere?

But based on your question, why not you offer what you think the fair price is? I guess they can take it or leave it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pony up.

+1

[Anonymous]

Pay more.

[Anonymous]

What if you gave them a different zip code slightly off from your real zip code but in a much cheaper area, got the quote and then said oh there was a typo our zip is X.

[Anonymous]

I’m a remodeler in Fairfield County, Ct.

I have never priced by zip code.

But I am changing that and it is because of client expectations.

In the affluent towns clients have very high expectations - not for construction per se but contractor availability, construction schedule and timelines, etc.

So I am raising prices in certain towns among other criteria because demanding clients limit my ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.

I am also trying to do more work in other parts of the state because of this.

And I know a lot of mechanical trades are trying to not do construction work only service work.

I also find the architects and interior designers that service these clients are also a PITA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a remodeler in Fairfield County, Ct.

I have never priced by zip code.

But I am changing that and it is because of client expectations.

In the affluent towns clients have very high expectations - not for construction per se but contractor availability, construction schedule and timelines, etc.

So I am raising prices in certain towns among other criteria because demanding clients limit my ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.

I am also trying to do more work in other parts of the state because of this.

And I know a lot of mechanical trades are trying to not do construction work only service work.

I also find the architects and interior designers that service these clients are also a PITA.

Yup. I'm in a completely different business area, but have found that wealthier clients are indeed a PITA. Being less accomodating in the period where someone is considering buying from me helps weed out some of the people who are just trying to find some drama and accuse people of things.

[Anonymous]

Nothing worse than a contractor who doesn’t want to work for you because you ask normal questions and are able to spot mistakes.

I write off any contractor who seems annoyed by basic questions at the look see, especially if I get a doesn’t-want-to-deal-with-intelligent-women vibe.

[Anonymous]

A lot of privies are going up because contractor land for storage materials is skyrocketing . Blame the data centers for pushing them out further away from DC.