Binding nature of the craftsman's offer for the client

We have received an offer from a craftsman for the renovation of our bathroom. Overall, we agree, but on some points it is a bit more than we actually planned. For example, the craftsman offered a very large and expensive washbasin, which we do not even like. He also offered the more expensive tiles, which we had only chosen for the shower niche, for the entire wall.

When we asked him to correct the offer accordingly, he said we can still change our minds when it comes time to buy the fixtures and tiles, and he will then issue a correspondingly lower invoice.

If we insist that he correct the offer, are we just making ourselves unnecessarily unpopular? If we commission the offer as it is (with the expensive washbasin and more expensive tiles than planned), can he later refer to that and demand the full amount?

So my gut feeling would tell me "Find another craftsman!". At least if he really expressed it that way, because I would not place the order with the offer as it is, but only after adjustment to the desired changes, and that would also include the price change being included. Whether it makes sense to buy the items yourself, as he suggested, would only be the case if he delivers the price without the corresponding equipment. But as already said, if the craftsman is not willing to create the offer according to your wishes, but chooses his preferred tiles/basin, then I personally would not work with him.

Man, people, the craftsmen are busy in metropolitan areas. They don’t have time to change an offer 5 times because of special requests.

Doesn’t he have an email address?

Then manually correct the offer accordingly with the note “as discussed on the phone, washbasin XYZ at amount P and tiles will be provided by us and installed by you at the offered laying price.”

Something like that.

In the closing sentence, just ask for a brief confirmation by email that it is okay like this.

Then you are on the safe side.

Well, I assume that a meeting took place in which wishes and price ranges were expressed. If the craftsman simply includes expensive things on his own, he shouldn't be surprised if changes are requested.

Of course, it also always depends on the tone, but he has already rejected an adjustment of the offer and only promised it for later. But how is one supposed to award a contract without a proper offer so far? For my part, I am at least used to something different from craftsmen and have dealt with enough craftsmen in the context of a complete renovation.

I would change the offer myself and request an order confirmation.

Even if an offer lists individual items, the conditions may have been calculated in anticipation of the total volume, and the supplier might not want to keep the price for the washbasin, for example, if the tiles are half as expensive. The proposed approach

Ich würde das Angebot selbst ändern und eine Auftragsbestätigung verlangen.

seems absolutely practical to me. Then the supplier can either respond by removing and changing the price for other items, or accept it as is, and clarity is achieved.