1st flip! Need help choosing contractors...

[Joe Gee]

Hello BP, 

I am currently doing my first fix and flip and Im using sub contractors from other investors I work with. 

There's two contractors who gave me prices for the fix up of the outside.  I'll spare the details but the first crew whom I've worked with before and are proven, charged me $6,500 WITHOUT materials.  The other crew charged me $5,500 WITH materials but are sort of unproven.  I say unproven cause I haven't work with them, but I did get a good reference from them.  I intially told the first crew "ok" but haven't signed anything but they can't start until a week out anyway.  The 2nd crew can start in a couple days.  

What should I do?  Go back to the first crew and tell them about my lower bid and see if they can get somewhat close to it?  Or just take the lower bid.  I guess I don't want to possibly ruin my relationship with the first crew, and I really hope its not a "get what you pay for" scenario.  

Any help would be appreciated!