Just had a contractor give me a quote for redoing my kitchen cabinets. The price seemed decent, but my buddy said I should've pushed back a bit more. Now I'm second-guessing myself...do most people usually negotiate after the first offer or nah?
Negotiating after the initial quote is pretty common practice, especially in home improvement projects. Contractors often expect a bit of back-and-forth, so your buddy isn't entirely off-base. That said, if the price already seemed fair and competitive based on your research, pushing too hard might not yield much benefit. I've seen situations where homeowners haggle aggressively and end up with corners cut or lower-quality materials to meet the negotiated price point.
It's also worth noting that some contractors build a bit of wiggle room into their initial quotes, anticipating negotiation. Others, however, give their best offer upfront to avoid the hassle. If you're feeling uncertain, maybe ask around or check online reviews to see if this contractor typically negotiates or sticks firm to their initial pricing. At the end of the day, if you're comfortable with the price and confident in their quality of work, that's probably more important than squeezing out a small discount.
Yeah, negotiating is pretty standard, but honestly, if a quote seems fair and the contractor has a solid reputation, pushing too hard might backfire. I've had clients haggle aggressively, and while I get it (everyone loves a deal), sometimes it just adds unnecessary tension...
