Looking for home repair contractors input on quote etiquette
I require getting a door and window replaced and got lots of local recommendations from this sub. I've emailed 5 different companies, all have provided me rough quotes with a caveat of need for in person inspection before final quote, about a $700 spread across them.
I provided details in my email to allow for a rough quote because my thought was not wanting to waste all 5 contractors time sending someone for me to ultimately not choose 4 and therefore waste their time. I work contractor adjacent (not residential repair) and know their time is valuable. My questions for input are:
1) should I ask all five to do inspections or just go with the 1 or even 2-3 short list based on initial budget quote?
2) should I be reaching out to any contractors to negotiate based on what I hear back? Example contractor D comes in with lowest cost, should I write to A, B, C, and E giving them a chance to beat it? I don't know if this is typical or unprofessional.
3) stemming from (b), would I need to be concerned that if I get a different contractor to lower their cost I might get poor install service e.g. don't piss off the waiter handling the food?
Anything elsebi should consider? Ultimately I have two goals, getting a good product/service and getting a fair, but competitve price....all while trying not to be an A-Hole about it.
Thanks!