Building? Beware of the fraudsters

It is safe to say each one of us has at one point gotten a quotation from a service provider but as to whether you actually understood the quote is not something I can put my signature to.

I was recently given a plumbing quotation for a rather big project and so the plumbers’ quote had figures and signs that were similar to Chinese writing and numbers that looked like they came out of Professor Onafhankelikheidsplein’s calculations book! Of course, the grand total, my client would have had to break into a bank. So, I tasked the plumber to explain to me why he needed the various items without using technical terms as I took note.

When I sought a quote from another plumber, his list of requirements was a little shorter than the first and his total, therefore, more digestible. He too had to explain his list but this time when I asked the questions I was using some of the language acquired from Plumber A...the expression of surprise on plumber B’s face! Who would have thought that the red-haired woman with her bling, makeup and tweezed eyebrows would know what a socket nipple was?

Plumber C’s quotation was in close proximity with Plumber B’s, which meant that plumber A was trying to obtain school fees for both his children and unborn grand children from this project!

That you are a woman already makes you a good target for these fraudsters because the assumption is that you don’t know and don’t care to understand technical stuff, but just want the job done immediately. So next time, look out!

Attaining a balance
When getting a quote there are things that you need to bear in mind;
• Get at least three quotations for the same project from three different service providers. That way you are able to compare prices and make a more informed decision about your options.
• Ask and insist that the service provider explain to you what is written in their quotation and for what purpose the different items will serve.