So you think it's okay that a provider includes a few thousand euros of "play money" in their calculation so that your gambling urge can be satisfied? Curious question: How do you even know how many euros you have to negotiate? Doesn't such an approach always leave a bitter aftertaste?
To my knowledge, the primary task of an economically operating company is to generate sustainable profits.
This works better or worse depending on the market situation in most industries.
I believe it is undisputed that the construction industry is quite susceptible to economic fluctuations?
Therefore, I do not find it reprehensible if a contractor calculates with a higher margin in the current market environment than in a worse one. Or do you always include the exactly same amount regardless of revenue and expenses of the "individual" construction project?
If that were the case for everyone involved in construction, then why have construction costs been increasing so significantly for a few years now?
That, as a client, I want the contractor to give me the best possible price particularly for my construction project is obvious.
How I negotiate, that is convincing my counterpart to give me a good price for the service to be provided, there are now various solutions other than just bluntly asking for a 5% discount.