Is this normal

[zumbergc]

we are planning to finish the basement.

I've called a few places to come out and give us an estimate. They are tell ing me they won't do a free estimate unless both myself and my husband are both here.

Is this normal? My husband isn't the type to ask questions, so basically he is going to stand there and not say anything during the estimating process. I'm the one the heads all the projects in the house...

The most aggrivating part is these businesses are open the whole week for estimates so its not like they are overwhelmed with work....

TIA

 

[SalandJeff]

I've had this happen with pricing new windows. I think they do it because their objective is to get you to sign on the dotted line right then and there. To do this, they need both owners present.

 

[kristinw3girls]

I hate that sexist crap!! Tell them that you don't need your husbands permission to proceed and he will go with whomever you decide. Maybe they are concerned of having to basicly give 2 walk thru's (explaining everything)?? It still seem weird to me! Goodluck!

 

[rstamm]

We had our basement done in 2001 and had estimates from 10K to 20K for the same work.

I would get at least 3 and would not sign anything till all the estimates have been made and you can make a decision.

Why some needed to charge twice as much I don't know but they guy for 10K did a fantastic job that we still are enjoying.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Are you calling Basement System chain type places? I'd try to stay away from those. Get the name of a good contractor instead.

And when you're asking people to come out, and they say they need your dh there just say 'He's dead. Can you come at x time?'. That'll shut 'em up!

 

[DVCBELLE]

We talked to a place that insisted we both be home -so I researched them online and found out they were a very high pressure company. They want both of you there so you can't say to them - I will need to discuss this with my DH and I will let you know when we make a decision. I don't think it is sexist to assume that both parties need to be involved in the decision process. They want all the decision makers there so they can pressure you together. They would tell a man the same thing.

Who the heck would make a pressure decision on the spot like that anyway? We NEVER agree to anything right there, car etc. And I would never make a decision on a basemenet without my DH but we sure wouldn't sit and discuss the pros and cons right in front of the contractor.

I would just tell them - I am the one who will be asking all the questions and deciding on the design. I will of course have to discuss everything with my spouse but he will not be able to be home. If this is a problem then I will take my business elsewhere.

 

[zumbergc]

The 3 companies are telling me its policy, and they'll get fired if they make this appointment and both of you aren't there.

I pretty much told them they lost my business. I told them it didn't make sense for me to have my husband stay home for a week so we could get the 10 estimates i'm wanting to get.

Another company called me back (not one of the three) and they are coming by this week. I think the companies are crazy if they think we would sign on the dotted line without having lots of different options from different companies.

I guess it makes sense the companies who have high pressure wanting both parties to be here to pressure us in picking them.

 

[cmjaffe]

Don't forget to get references and check with the BBB for any complaints etc.
Also pay in installments to make sure that you're pleased with the work and they don't string you along or leave things unfinished. (had this happen to us when having work done from a distance... got tired of traveling 100 miles to monitor work at mother's home.. she was wheelchair bound and didn't venture out of bedroom.. asked her what work was being done when I wasn't physically there and she didn't know). Don't get burnt.
Good luck.

 

[Gigi22]

Ask them for pictures from successfully completed jobs. Also, get references of satisfied clients.

 

[Sandi]

I would call someone else. I have never had that happen and would tell anyone that made that sort of demand that they lost a potential customer and will get bad word of mouth. If I had to have DH in on estimates like that, we'd never have any work done on our house. He doesn't care what I do, how much I spend, or who I contract for because he knows I've done all the research.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

when we were looking at Anderson Replacement windows, the salesman specifically said to me that he would not come unless my husband was there! I informed him that my husband does not want to be bothered with the "searching" process - he leaves that up to me. When I am happy with something be it a car, washing machine, windows, paint color, etc, just let him know... The salesman had the b*@ls to say "what type of husband lets his wife make all the decisions " I promptly thanked him for his "precious time" and told him we will no longer need his services, that he made a huge mistake in how he treated me for I was ready to plunk down over $10K for windows, and that was a nice sized commission that he just forfeited for being a sexist pig.

 

[DISdreamin']

when we were looking at Anderson Replacement windows, the salesman specifically said to me that he would not come unless my husband was there! I informed him that my husband does not want to be bothered with the "searching" process - he leaves that up to me. When I am happy with something be it a car, washing machine, windows, paint color, etc, just let him know... The salesman had the b*@ls to say "what type of husband lets his wife make all the decisions " I promptly thanked him for his "precious time" and told him we will no longer need his services, that he made a huge mistake in how he treated me for I was ready to plunk down over $10K for windows, and that was a nice sized commission that he just forfeited for being a sexist pig.

You need to post his contact information so we can all pester him. Just kidding of course, but seriously, my DH and I have much the same arrangement when it comes to major purchases. I don't make the final decision to actually buy alone, but I do the leg work and selection/narrowing down and fill him in on the details and we come to the decision to buy or not buy together.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

The guy was a total tool!

 

[luckygirl539]

They just want to to sign right then and there. Ditch 'em.

 

[HunnyBunny]

I would highly recommend trying Service Magic www.servicemagic.com.

They are like a lending tree for contractors. They'll put you in touch with licensed pros that they've researched after you tell them your needs. I see on there they have a basement remodel section. I think you'll kill two birds here by telling them exactly what you want and not having to make several phone calls. They'll tell you who's your best match.

Let me know if it works out for you.

 

[tzolkin]

We had a few contractors come out to give us quotes for a new roof when we first bought our house. This older man first was rude and assumed that I was a renter (apparently I was too young to actually own the home) and then when he was done looking around and writing up the quote basically refused to tell me anything and said that he would just speak to my husband.

My husband called and told him that we would not hire him because he was disrespectful to me even though he had the lowest price.

 

[v.t.]

We built a house last year, so I met with a lot, I mean A LOT of contractors. Not one ever made mention of my DH being there. I can assure you if they did they would not receive any of our business. I agree with everyone else that it sounds like a high pressure sale job that you need to run from.

 

[mamaLori05]

No that is not normal. As pp's mentioned I would be worried it was a high pressure sales pitch, which you don't want!!!

One rec I did want to say was to make sure you get a lean waver before you pay the final balance!!!! In fact, make sure it's noted on your contract that you will get one. With the economy, lots of contractors are not paying their subcontractors, which in turn could put a lien against your house (since that is where the work took place). We just built a house and learned that lesson. Luckily our builder took care of it and paid the subcontractor that didn't get paid by the company they hired to do the job, but not everyone is that lucky! Sorry if that is confusing, but it does get confusing. Save yourself the headache and request a lien waver.

 

[Arielle22]

This happened to me about 10 years ago when I was looking at replacement windows. It was at an Anderson Windows store. The sales person wanted to know if my husband would be joining us. I said no and walked out.

The funny thing is I in charge of maintenance at the company I was at. I dealt with vendors all day (including coordinating a 60k window replacement).

DH wanted to be home when the windows were installed (2 6 foot windows in our bedroom) but had no desire to compare prices with me.

14 years ago it happened when we went looking at minivans. The salesman ignored me only speaking to DH. When it came time for a test drive he only wanted to take DH. We left without the test drive. About 2 weeks later I started an accounting class. The instructor's day job was as the financial manager for the owner of the car dealership. Was she unhappy with what I told her!

 

[magik]

As others have said, if they say that all decision makers must be present for the estimate, it means they are most likely high-pressure type companies. A few years back, I was looking to replace all my windows and the siding on my home.

One of the places I called for an estimate, Long Fence and Windows, on the phone made sure that I would have 2 hours free for the appointment and all decision makers would be present. When the guy showed up, I made it clear I just wanted an estimate; I was not interested in making a decision that night, and he didn't even want to do that demo that window companies all seem to like to do where they have a sample window, put a hot light on it, and show you that the heat doesn't come inside to prove how energy efficient they are. He wouldn't give me an estimate unless I was ready to sign on the dotted line - for my own good of course. If he gave me an estimate, the "discounts" would only be good if I made a decision that night, so it would be in my own best interest to get other estimates first and just call them back when I was ready....

It turns out what he did tell me about the windows was *not* true after I got some other estimates. He told me they were the only company that offered a lifetime warranty on their windows. I don't know if he was just misinformed or if he flat out lied to me, but either way, that was another reason aside from the high pressure sales that turned me off from giving them another shot.

I thanked him for his time, sent him on his way, and never called Long Fence and Windows back. I went with a much nicer company who gave me an estimate (with discounts) that was good for 30 days and had a *double* lifetime no-fault warranty, parts and labor that's even good for caulking (so it's good as long as I'm in the house and for as long as the next owner is in the house). They also bent over backwards to get me the siding samples I needed to submit to my HOA, let me make my contract contingent on getting HOA approval for the windows and siding, and the warranty stuff has been great as I had some bad plumbers crush part of my siding while replacing my water main and they fixed it quickly with no inconvenience or cost to me. If anyone has Thompson Creek local to them and is in the market for new siding or windows, I definitely recommend them.