Builder quotes.... all made up

[jim8flog]

Last time I had the builders in what annoyed me the most was quoting one figure, sending me a bill for twice that amount and then arguing about it.

If you got your quote wrong mate that is your problem not mine.

I did relent a little because I knew when he quoted me it was bit off but not by double the amount.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Last year we paid 'top dollar' to have a load of re-rendering done; all the woodwork on front and side of the house refurbished; and our front garden totally re-landscaped. It was expensive and could have got it done for less - but the builder and his guys were superb. They turned up when they were supposed to turn up. Stayed all day and worked hard. The owner had the different trades all fully coordinated in who was to be about when to do what before next. If something wasn't done to how the company owner (or we) wanted it - he had it re-done (our front gate step was set down three times before he was happy ).

Neighbour across the road having work done on her property, and having difficulties with work and her builder, was very complementary about 'ours', and how impressed she was by them. And we got other similar comments from other neighbours and passers-bye.

So there is much to be said for paying more if you pay for quality and confidence. You pays your money...

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Last year we paid 'top dollar' to have a load of re-rendering done; all the woodwork on front and side of the house refurbished; and our front garden totally re-landscaped. It was expensive and could have got it done for less - but the builder and his guys were superb. They turned up when they were supposed to turn up. Stayed all day and worked hard. The owner had the different trades all fully coordinated in who was to be about when to do what before next. If something wasn't done to how the company owner (or we) wanted it - he had it re-done (our front gate step was set down three times before he was happy ).

Neighbour across the road having work done on her property, and having difficulties with work and her builder, was very complementary about 'ours', and how impressed she was by them. And we got other similar comments from other neighbours and passers-bye.

So there is much to be said for paying more if you pay for quality and confidence. You pays your money...

Isn't it sad that we are pleased when a builder does this? It should be basic, standard but sadly it isn't. When you think about it, did they do more than you actually asked or did they do exactly what was booked and paid for? Did they do anything more than you would expect of anyone who was doing a job for you? I'm not criticising, hold onto this builder for dear life, but it is a sad indictment on the industry that we are so happy to get work done how it is supposed to be.

 

[larmen]

So there is much to be said for paying more if you pay for quality and confidence. You pays your money...

But just on a builders quote no one can see if he is as good as yours or just a chancer.

Do we trust sides like rated people?

 

[GB72]

But just on a builders quote no one can see if he is as good as yours or just a chancer.

Do we trust sides like rated people?

Nope, only use tradesmen that come recommended by friends so as I can get an honest opinion and, in some cases, see the work.

System seems to work as you tend to see the same half a dozen or so tradesmen doing all the work in my village.

 

[BiMGuy]

But just on a builders quote no one can see if he is as good as yours or just a chancer.

Do we trust sides like rated people?

Absolutely not.

 

[AAC]

Getting some builders to quote for some building works... The numbers seem all made up. Just dont get the logic behind it.

1) Exhibit 1: small extension to the front.. it will create a space of about 9sq m.. two of the walls are existing ones. first quote 21k, second quote 43k!! I will expect a gold leaf front door for that kind of money
2) Replace garage door (2 single to 1 double door and remove central pillar).... garage door company 4.5k, second builder 8.5k

Living in Surrey I thought the general rule of thumb was 1k-1.2k per sq m... but that measure my 9sq m would have been 9-15k tops.. Speaking to one of the builders... he was complaining that he cant find tradesmen. all the polish seem to have gone home after the vote. material prices have jumped up this year. while I am sympathetic about all this, I dont think i can afford any such work.

Any views from builders on the forum or those who have done building work recently

I am a QS and much of my work is tender/estimate preparation for builders & contractors. If you are having anything other than the most basic work down you should ensure that you get a fully detailed breakdown of what is (and by reference what is not) allowed within the estimate. You should not under any circumstances rely on a single line lump sum price.

Cost per ft2 are in no way reliable and are even less so for small projects, I have done recent projects for as little as £150ft2 right up to complex bespoke projects of over £3000 ft2.

There are reputable builders out there, take the time to seek one out local to you.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Isn't it sad that we are pleased when a builder does this? It should be basic, standard but sadly it isn't. When you think about it, did they do more than you actually asked or did they do exactly what was booked and paid for? Did they do anything more than you would expect of anyone who was doing a job for you? I'm not criticising, hold onto this builder for dear life, but it is a sad indictment on the industry that we are so happy to get work done how it is supposed to be.

Our experience was in fact that they went above and beyond to ensure that we were very pleased with what was done. There were more than a couple of things they could have left - that we'd have been OK with, but maybe a little disappointed. But they didn't leave them - if they were unsure about something then they'd ask to ensure we were completely happy with what they were about to do - and offered alternatives where there were alternatives. The re-roughcasting and re-rendering was done by a specialised our builder uses - the guy does the same for National Trust properties - and as ours is Arts and Crafts house it was worth having it done well. And it looks superb.

We have asked if he wishes to quite for a much smaller job - re-plastering our front room. I told him that it was probably too small for him to be interested - no hesitation, he came back and said that he'd be pleased to quote. I suspect that I might just go with him and not bother with getting another quote - I know roughly what a hack off and re-plaster should cost so I'm not too worried about the risk of getting massively overcharged - I know he'll have the job done properly.

 

[AliMc]

Isn't it sad that we are pleased when a builder does this? It should be basic, standard but sadly it isn't. When you think about it, did they do more than you actually asked or did they do exactly what was booked and paid for? Did they do anything more than you would expect of anyone who was doing a job for you? I'm not criticising, hold onto this builder for dear life, but it is a sad indictment on the industry that we are so happy to get work done how it is supposed to be.

We built an extension about 4 years ago, live in East Lothian where house prices are high and the three quotes from local builders arranged through the architect were ridiculous, ranged from 60k to 85k, my BiL is an architect but lives in Glasgow, he advised job was 35k max. He arranged for a company based in the east end of Glasgow to quote and they quoted 36k. They travelled back and forward, about an hours drive either way and were always here at 8 o'clock sharp. No fuss whatsoever, extension built, new boiler fitted and new monoblocked parking space all done for less than 40k. A few weeks later the groundsman turned up, said he had been to another job in East Lothian and his boss had asked him to call in and check everything was ok, we had some monoblocks and slabs left over so he spent about three hours laying these for us at no charge. The company owner has emailed us a couple of times since just to check that we have no issues, all in all in was great service.

 

[BiMGuy]

I fin

I am a QS and much of my work is tender/estimate preparation for builders & contractors. If you are having anything other than the most basic work down you should ensure that you get a fully detailed breakdown of what is (and by reference what is not) allowed within the estimate. You should not under any circumstances rely on a single line lump sum price.

Cost per ft2 are in no way reliable and are even less so for small projects, I have done recent projects for as little as £150ft2 right up to complex bespoke projects of over £3000 ft2.

There are reputable builders out there, take the time to seek one out local to you.

Problem with domestic clients is they are emotionally attached to their project. To the builder its just another project.

Then clients like to become mini project managers, because its easy right? And p!ss the builders off. The relationship breaks down and the job goes horribly wrong. Watch Grand Designs to see this in action.

Architects don't help. Many at the domestic level have been churning the same work out for years and are giving clients poor advice. Or they are full of their own self impotence, and have delusions of grandeur, so have sold their client a dream they don't want or can't afford.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I fin


Problem with domestic clients is they are emotionally attached to their project. To the builder its just another project.

Then clients like to become mini project managers, because its easy right? And p!ss the builders off. The relationship breaks down and the job goes horribly wrong. Watch Grand Designs to see this in action.

Architects don't help. Many at the domestic level have been churning the same work out for years and are giving clients poor advice. Or they are full of their own self impotence, and have delusions of grandeur, so have sold their client a dream they don't want or can't afford.

And let’s not forget because “anyone” can be a builder, so many clients dismiss what they do or charge.
I don’t doubt there are some artists masquerading as builder, theres the majority that aren’t and have to pay for materials, staff and earn a living themselves.
Sadly many contractors get treated the same because they are”just a ....” and obviously the client or customer is so much more important and intelligent.

 

[GB72]

I fin


Problem with domestic clients is they are emotionally attached to their project. To the builder its just another project.

Then clients like to become mini project managers, because its easy right? And p!ss the builders off. The relationship breaks down and the job goes horribly wrong. Watch Grand Designs to see this in action.

Architects don't help. Many at the domestic level have been churning the same work out for years and are giving clients poor advice. Or they are full of their own self impotence, and have delusions of grandeur, so have sold their client a dream they don't want or can't afford.

I am totally the opposite, once I have hired someone to do a job I just want to leave them to get on with it. All I do is point them in the direction of the bathroom, let them know where the kettle is and that they can help themselves as much as they want and leave them to it.

 

[GB72]

And let’s not forget because “anyone” can be a builder, so many clients dismiss what they do or charge.
I don’t doubt there are some artists masquerading as builder, theres the majority that aren’t and have to pay for materials, staff and earn a living themselves.
Sadly many contractors get treated the same because they are”just a ....” and obviously the client or customer is so much more important and intelligent.

My wife used to get that as a contractor. So many assumptions that she was a contractor because she had failed at doing it as a full time job or was unemployable so had to take contract work.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I am totally the opposite, once I have hired someone to do a job I just want to leave them to get on with it. All I do is point them in the direction of the bathroom, let them know where the kettle is and that they can help themselves as much as they want and leave them to it.

This is me as well. I'm not interested in the bit in the middle, just let me know when it is finished.

 

[BiMGuy]

And let’s not forget because “anyone” can be a builder, so many clients dismiss what they do or charge.
I don’t doubt there are some artists masquerading as builder, theres the majority that aren’t and have to pay for materials, staff and earn a living themselves.
Sadly many contractors get treated the same because they are”just a ....” and obviously the client or customer is so much more important and intelligent.

'Professional' Couples are the worst clients.

 

[GB72]

The one thing that winds us up is when we have a builder in for a quote and they talk to me despite my wife being there, my wife invariably having arranged the visit etc. Fact is that she works in construction and, whilst by no means and expert in anything outside of her particular field, she knows more about these things that I ever will. It has got to the stage where I do not even hang around when they are measuring up the job as I just get in the way. Seriously, one window company refused to even get out the car to quote as I was not home.

 

[Dannyc]

I’m a Brickie and we are earning decent money on big building sites
Mates in this game are massive as I would feel a rotter for charging a mate what I get paid for building a new build
Extensions are like people have said there is that much work out there people are taking the mick unfortunately I’m miles away from u or I would help out
Good luck get loads of prices the older guys I would say are more trustworthy

 

[BiMGuy]

The one thing that winds us up is when we have a builder in for a quote and they talk to me despite my wife being there, my wife invariably having arranged the visit etc. Fact is that she works in construction and, whilst by no means and expert in anything outside of her particular field, she knows more about these things that I ever will. It has got to the stage where I do not even hang around when they are measuring up the job as I just get in the way. Seriously, one window company refused to even get out the car to quote as I was not home.

That is annoying. Same happens with car salespeople.

I'm lucky that I have worked in construction or been involved in some way my whole life. I've got friends in most trades and can do pretty much any building work myself if I need to.

But, I'm now at the point in life where I value my free time and would rather pay someone else to do certain things.
Where I have had to get trades in to quote. I make no indication whatsoever that I already know how much and how long the job should take.
I just ask for a properly broken down quote, an estimate of how long they think things will take, their insurance details and a draft contact. The good ones are happy to provide these, the cowboys wont.

 

[BiMGuy]

I’m a Brickie and we are earning decent money on big building sites
Mates in this game are massive as I would feel a rotter for charging a mate what I get paid for building a new build
Extensions are like people have said there is that much work out there people are taking the mick unfortunately I’m miles away from u or I would help out
Good luck get loads of prices the older guys I would say are more trustworthy

I won't pay mates rates. If a mate does any work for me, I pay what their normal rate would be as I know I am getting top quality work.

 

[spongebob59]

Just had a room skimmed and thought I'd ask him how much to 're-render the bungalow, 13k ?.

Think we might be going down the cladding route ?