On 3/18/2021 10:03 AM, Gary wrote:

>>
>> Precisely... the cheap ends up expensive.* Best to see photos of the
>> work and talk with the people he worked for.
>> I never look for the lowest price.
>
> I was always one of the high priced painters. All of my customers were
> referred by their friends or neighbors. Word of mouth was my only
> advertising. Maybe about half of the jobs I got, they never even asked
> for an estimate.* They had already heard that I did quality work and
> charged fairly. I was often able to charge less than an estimated price
> and I did that.

The best contractors don't have to advertise, their customers do it for
them. The best also have fair prices.

I never negotiated the man's earnings. I don't want a guy working for
me knowing he was being short changed. Only thing I may do is discuss
the scope of work. Instead of gilded metal trim can we use wood?

Good contractors have plenty of work so they don't stretch out a job
just to make a few bucks extra.