[Misc] Wild variation in building quotes

[Goldstone1976]

I've got four builders to give quotes against a 3-page written spec for some work on the new gaff. The spec given to them was identical.

The quotes I've got are: £68k, £99k, £134k, £165k.

Wow. Now I'm scratching my head - I have never had such wildly differing quotes and am a bit flummoxed...

 

[Stat Brother]

I've got four builders to give quotes against a 3-page written spec for some work on the new gaff. The spec given to them was identical.

The quotes I've got are: £68k, £99k, £134k, £165k.

Wow. Now I'm scratching my head - I have never had such wildly differing quotes and am a bit flummoxed...

Tell them you'll just pay £200k, sorted.

 

[Wardy's twin]

I've got four builders to give quotes against a 3-page written spec for some work on the new gaff. The spec given to them was identical.

The quotes I've got are: £68k, £99k, £134k, £165k.

Wow. Now I'm scratching my head - I have never had such wildly differing quotes and am a bit flummoxed...

I have had quite different quotes but only on much smaller amounts e.g. 20k. I know there is thinking among some tradespeople of 'don't really want the work but let's just put in a silly quote ' . Are they similar types of firm? Did you get recommendations & references?

 

[Live by the sea]

It’s a minefield out there , I got some quotes for a kitchen extension measuring 20 ft by 18ft and the cheapest was £85 the dearest £160k !

After a lot of research to do it to a decent standard, the price should be around £125k . Some building companies quote what sounds cheap then start adding on lots of extras once they start the build .

Remember often an extension will go over budget so always allow another 25% on top to be on the safe side .

Until I can put aside £150 k I won’t bother .

 

[Goldstone1976]

I have had quite different quotes but only on much smaller amounts e.g. 20k. I know there is thinking among some tradespeople of 'don't really want the work but let's just put in a silly quote ' . Are they similar types of firm? Did you get recommendations & references?

I've had the same experience - where one contractor is way over the bunch. But this is different - there's no one outlier. Yep, they are all broadly analagous - decent-sized firms without massive overheads.

 

[hoveboyslim]

I've got four builders to give quotes against a 3-page written spec for some work on the new gaff. The spec given to them was identical.

The quotes I've got are: £68k, £99k, £134k, £165k.

Wow. Now I'm scratching my head - I have never had such wildly differing quotes and am a bit flummoxed...

If you haven't got this already, ask them to split the quote down in to the relevant sections of work.

 

[Goldstone1976]

Using different materials? Paying staff more/less? How does the cost break down when itemised?

Materials: pretty much the same
Staff costs: unknown
cost breakdown: there are 17 different items. There's no real pattern across those items. The cheapest overall was highest on one item; the most expensive, second cheapest on one.

 

[ac gull]

Approach we used was to agree a daily rate per man day re labour - this was invoiced separately on a monthly basis

Quite easy to keep track of how many on site each day so always knew what this monthly fee would be

Then separate monthly invoice re materials and plant hire etc

Could ask them to split quote into materials and labour and agree a man day rate per labour - you get a saving if they complete it quicker - they are covered if un forseen issues arise that neither party could have predicted or expected

Above was all for main builder - we hired electrician and other specialist trades separately and paid them direct

 

[BN9 BHA]

£68K - Hasn’t got much on and is desperate for the job.
£165K - Doesn’t need the work and has plenty going on, but will find time to start the work ( then disappear to another job(s) if you agree to the price.
Or he doesn’t like you so he’s priced the job very high.

Have a look at the middle prices.

 

[Brok]

They all seem very expensive, for what is obviously only a five minute job.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Offer to pay them in wine.

 

[Dolph Ins]

Approach we used was to agree a daily rate per man day re labour - this was invoiced separately on a monthly basis

Quite easy to keep track of how many on site each day so always knew what this monthly fee would be

Then separate monthly invoice re materials and plant hire etc

Could ask them to split quote into materials and labour and agree a man day rate per labour - you get a saving if they complete it quicker - they are covered if un forseen issues arise that neither party could have predicted or expected

Above was all for main builder - we hired electrician and other specialist trades separately and paid them direct

As a self employed landscape gardener I loved it when people offered day rate. It meant I could take it easy and not worry about the time taken (not that I did). If you've got a quote (not an estimate) then the builder is taking any risk on overruns.

 

[Bulldog]

Approach we used was to agree a daily rate per man day re labour - this was invoiced separately on a monthly basis

Quite easy to keep track of how many on site each day so always knew what this monthly fee would be

Then separate monthly invoice re materials and plant hire etc

Could ask them to split quote into materials and labour and agree a man day rate per labour - you get a saving if they complete it quicker - they are covered if un forseen issues arise that neither party could have predicted or expected

Above was all for main builder - we hired electrician and other specialist trades separately and paid them direct

I had a loft conversion done on day work once. I would NEVER employ anyone like that again. They strung the job out as long as possible because there wasn't much about at the time and it cost me a bloody fortune.

 

[Weststander]

In 2007 we received quotes for the very same projects on our home, ranging from £25k+VAT to £80k+VAT.

I’d created very detailed spec sheets to try to cover all bases, reviewed by a construction project manager mate.

We went with the cheapest quote, both sides signed a basic JCT contract, so they were bound by the price.

I think they regretted that optimistic price.

I caught them out for some sly short cuts, which I rectified, but we agreed that I wouldn’t pay a penny for all the variations.

 

[BN9 BHA]

As a self employed landscape gardener I loved it when people offered day rate. It meant I could take it easy and not worry about the time taken (not that I did). If you've got a quote (not an estimate) then the builder is taking any risk on overruns.

If I got offered a day rate I would go to the cafe for lunch, if I’m doing a fixed price job I bring sandwiches and a flask.

 

[giveusfalmerplease]

buyer beware!. 3 years ago i had to have major works done on my home which was declared not fit to live in due to roof collapsing and gas supply being 75 years old etc. I got a new mortgage and the terms were that we HAD to take the cheapest quote. `Long story short my father was ill whilst the work was done so had to trust the foreman to oversee all the works. came back after 2 months and was hit with a mountain of snags which took another 3 months for them to complete.

We had full rewire of electrics done but since we didnt specify in the contract that he should put the wiring in the walls he just ran cables down the outside and covered in plastic surround. To acheive this he took big chunks of our lovely coving in the ceiling out. Didnt do any making good of holes created when removing old cables etc - u get the drift. So our 6k spend for the rewire is likely to cost (when we get round to doing it) another 5k to redecorate every room in the house.

Then we had brand new upvc windows fitted. whilst house is warmer after three revisits we still get water penetration from above the window frame where inside plaster has come off. Due to covid we now cant anyone to come back and make good this 3 year old issue. i just hope they are still in business when things get back to sort form of normality!

And to add insult to injury during the works they used some of our tools (step ladder, hammers etc) which they took with them when they left! - by the time i realised it was too late!.

So, you need to dot the i's and cross the t's when you are dealing with that amount of cost

Finally one recommendation if you can. Get the builders to tell u what supplies they need and go buy them yourself. They'll tell u its £15 for a roll of wallpaper and go and buy it with their discount for £6 and pocket the rest. if you cant be hassled ensure they provide you with receipts to show cost of materials.

Good luck.!

 

[zefarelly]

Offer to pay them in wine.

What, a whole bottle? What kind of chip vinegar do you drink?

 

[Weststander]

As a self employed landscape gardener I loved it when people offered day rate. It meant I could take it easy and not worry about the time taken (not that I did). If you've got a quote (not an estimate) then the builder is taking any risk on overruns.

This.

Whether it be a building project, or an assignment with an architect, accountant, solicitor, etc, always get a fixed price.

The alternative of a day or hourly rate, known as a petrol pump approach, is a licence to print money and do things in a very chilled manner.

 

[zefarelly]

I'd explore the 2 middle quotes.

Forget the 2 either end for now

I did the drawings for our loft conversion, had the calcs done, drew up the steels . . . Did an estimate of costs. Got to about £20k in materials, 2 men 6-8 weeks , plus scaffolding, sparks, plumber etc and came to the conclusion £40k was a fair quote, cost/labour/margin . . . . I spoke to several people and most agreed £30 was a bargain, £50 +++ if you want gold light switches and get harassed All the time and/or don't want to do it.

 

[BN9 BHA]

buyer beware!. 3 years ago i had to have major works done on my home which was declared not fit to live in due to roof collapsing and gas supply being 75 years old etc. I got a new mortgage and the terms were that we HAD to take the cheapest quote. `Long story short my father was ill whilst the work was done so had to trust the foreman to oversee all the works. came back after 2 months and was hit with a mountain of snags which took another 3 months for them to complete.

We had full rewire of electrics done but since we didnt specify in the contract that he should put the wiring in the walls he just ran cables down the outside and covered in plastic surround. To acheive this he took big chunks of our lovely coving in the ceiling out. Didnt do any making good of holes created when removing old cables etc - u get the drift. So our 6k spend for the rewire is likely to cost (when we get round to doing it) another 5k to redecorate every room in the house.

Then we had brand new upvc windows fitted. whilst house is warmer after three revisits we still get water penetration from above the window frame where inside plaster has come off. Due to covid we now cant anyone to come back and make good this 3 year old issue. i just hope they are still in business when things get back to sort form of normality!

And to add insult to injury during the works they used some of our tools (step ladder, hammers etc) which they took with them when they left! - by the time i realised it was too late!.

So, you need to dot the i's and cross the t's when you are dealing with that amount of cost

Finally one recommendation if you can. Get the builders to tell u what supplies they need and go buy them yourself. They'll tell u its £15 for a roll of wallpaper and go and buy it with their discount for £6 and pocket the rest. if you cant be hassled ensure they provide you with receipts to show cost of materials.

Good luck.!

Horror story, I can understand why some people don’t trust builders.
I’m interested to know how you found this bunch of chancers, hopefully they weren’t recommended.