Negotiating doesn't necessarily mean that you will get a lower price, but it never ever hurts to ask. Some people are afraid, as negotiating really isn't a part of Western culture. I lived in Asia for a year, I've spent too much time in the Middle East, and there, if you don't negotiate, it's almost considered insulting to the seller. Even if turned down, you're back where you started. But don't be surprised if you get at least 10% off. Even telling them "it's a bit out of my price range, when will it be going on sale" or "I've seen store advertisements for 20% off in the past, if you take 20% off now I'll buy it now" might get you a better price. Remember, it doesn't matter what specifically you saw on sale in the past. They may counter your 20% request with a 10% counteroffer. The sales person, if he/she is not a supervisor, will probably go talk to the supervisor. Case in point, my teenage son plays guitar, last weekend we went to a music store and he was trying out a few. My son's budget was $160 out of his pocket, I'd already told him I'd match his budget, so we went shopping with a planned budget for a guitar of $320. He played several but one that really fit the style and sound he was looking for was $460. The store was having a 10% off sale on purchases over $500, my son asked if they'd apply that discount to that $460 guitar, the sales guy said "yes". That brought the price down to $414. I told the salesman our budget, and asked if they could knock another $94 off the price to bring it down to $320. He got the manager, the manager said "no". $350? "No". He played a few more guitars but kept coming back to the $460 one. I called the manager back over and we talked a bit more. I offered to buy the guitar in question, a quality hard-sided guitar case (list $90) and a guitar stand ($15) for a total price of $400. I asked my son if he could up his budget to $200. He agreed that he could. The manager did some clicking on his computer console and agreed to the offer. So we got $565 worth of list price goods, or with the advertised 10% off sale it would have been about $510, for $400. We were happy with the deal and it obviously fell within the store's parameters, as the manager agreed to it, so he was happy with the deal. When we got home I did some internet searching, and the lowest I found the same guitar for was $435, the case $70, some internet sellers had the $15 stand free with purchase of the guitar. So online the package would have cost $505. I feel good, my son was happy as can be, so it worked for us. As my son's guitar playing evolves, we'll be making future purchases at that store. Sometimes you pay list, sometimes you don't. the only way to find out is by asking. Mongo

Looks like what happened to mine. Plumbers always say "We don't do tiling" and "We don't drywall", I found one that said he wouldn't ruin all my vintage tile when he installed a new showerhead, faucet and handles. I fell for it. Now there is a huge, goofy looking metal plate behind my handles covering the broken tiles and hole where the old faucet was. The new faucet was added below it with a new hole drilled. I'm still sick whenever I look at it.

Hard to say what makes sense for you. I can tell you what makes sense for me. I commented on each of the items you mentioned. Hope it helps. - Finished Basement $52,500 - I have no idea how much it would be to do this later. This is a lot of money, but may be worth it to do it now. - Upgrade to 10' ceiling height on main floor $9,500 (standard is 9' ceiling) - 10' are super nice (that's what we are going with in our build), but 9' are nice as well (that's what we have in current home). So if cost is an issue, skip this one. - Ground Floor Double Door Entrance $760 - matter of taste. I'd probably skip this one. - Garage door opener with one remote $740 each - I'd say that's imperative! How can you be without a remote for the garage?! - Keypad for garage door opener $150 each - Also a must in my opinion. - Rough-In 2nd Floor Alarm - All Windows and Doors $160 - I would also do this one. - Rough-In 2nd Floor Keypad $30 each - I would do one in the master bedroom (which we did in the old house and in the new build), because you want to be able to turn on the alarm without having to go downstairs in the middle of the night. - Reinforce ceiling fixture for future fan/fixture $150 each - nice value, but since I don't care for ceiling fans, it will depend on your preference. - Upgrade to 200 amp service $1,000 each (standard is 100 amp) - I have no idea. - Complete valance lighting c/w switch $750 each - also no idea - Wall sconce rough-in c/w switch $240 each - as opposed to what and where? - Wall sconce rough-in on mirror c/w switch $300 each - bathroom? What's there standard? - Exterior soffit potlights $450 each - your preference - Recessed shower light c/w switch $290 each - I would do this one. I hate dark showers. It makes no sense to have light just in the bathroom, and a dark tub/shower area after you close the curtain. In my city it is code to have a light in the shower or tub. - Smooth ceiling (2nd Floor throughout) $1,590 (first floor smooth ceiling comes standard) - good grief, do not allow popcorn ceiling (if that's the standard). Think about the cost to remove it and refinish it later. Yikes. - Upgrade from standard round column to square drywall column with trim to match house - half column $440 each - your personal taste - Upgrade to 10mm Frameless Shower Enclosure - M Ensuite $3,060 - very nice option, but it is a budget thing. - Upgrade from Bath Tub to Frameless Shower Enclosure - Ensuite #2 $1,850 would not do this. - Upgrade from Bath Tub to 10mm Frameless Shower Enclosure - Main Bath $1,850 - would not do this - Upgrade from 5' Bath Tub to 5' Shower (no door) $1,400 - I'd keep the bath tub and the shower separate in the master suite. If this is in the other bathroom, I would keep the bath/shower combo. - Extra sink and single lever faucet in ensuite $725 each - double sinks is a must in the master. Trust me. - Whirlpool Upgrade in lieu of Corner or Oval Tub - 8 Jets $1,475 each - how much do you really think you would the whirlpool? Cleaning of each jet in there, think about it. I would not do this, but it depends on your preference. - Waterline for ice-maker $250 each - to the fridge? It's a must. - Upgrade Kitchen exhaust fan vent to 8" vent $470 - I have no idea - Rough-in gas line for BBQ/pool $665 each - do you BBQ? - Rough-in gas line for stove/range $665 each - what is standard, electric? What kind of cooktop do you want? If it is induction, check the volt/ampere needed for that, and make sure they install the correct one. I added a 60 amp one on mine. - Additional standard fireplace - 1st floor $4,450 - where would that be? Is one enough? - Additional standard fireplace - 2nd floor $4,800 - would not do it, but I live in Texas, not Canada..... - Blower heater fan $620 each - no idea - Fireplace remote control $250 each - not sure it's necessary.

So, as of today we had a bathroom tile job in progress for 2.5 weeks; this morning the installer got fed up with our decorative mosaic tile choice stating that the "pieces were falling off the backing" and he packed up and left us high and dry. Just like that! I had let him know he could proceed with hanging the sheets of mosaic and my husband and I would happily apply thinset to the pieces that fell off and pop them in place ourselves (per the recommendation of a mosaic manufacturer), but he responded with a text message reading "I have been doing this for 30 years, I am done", he didn't even have the professional courtesy to call us. I thought I was misunderstanding him so I asked him to send a picture (maybe he meant done with the install?) and he texted me the message, "I quit". We have been without a working shower for close to three weeks now and in all that time he only got 2/3 of our shower tiled, nevermind the rest of the bathroom. My husband and I are both in the construction industry/have construction experience and treat our contractors very well (having felt the brunt of rude clients before). Our relationship had been altogether jovial and pleasant until his failure/meltdown today. He has a vacation next week and banged out sick the past two days, so all I can assume is that he is no longer able to provide meaningful service to his clients. So my question is, do we owe him anything? We had verbally agreed on a price and he said he didn't charge for change orders and things like that. But since the price was quoted for a finished and complete installation, and I have all of his mental breakdown text messages including one stating he quit the project, is there any recourse on his part or is this a hands wiped clean situation? Thanks!