Blocklayer - Price

sasol

Hello,

I will be starting a self build in the next few months. It is for a 2,500 Sq Ft story and a half in Clare.

I am shopping around for builders at the moment and have priced a few block layers. Does anyone have an idea of how much this should cost ? It will take approx 6000 blocks from what I can estimate. I hear lads talk about getting blocklayers for 60c and 70c a block but would that include extra's like fitting of DPC, Insulation etc.

I have got a quote from a local blocklayer of €7,700 (+VAT)who would start once the foundations and floors have been poured. Included in this price is fitting of DPC, Insulation, window cills, lintels, chimneys and all blockwork up to roof level. He will have his own mixer and scaffolding also. Can you let me know what you think of this price ???

The guy is very good at what he does and is reliable...but sometimes has a reputation for not been the cheapest in the world. I am not sure what to make of the price though given the current climate, especially when , as I said, hear people talking about blocklayers doing it for 60-70 a block. Any thoughts/advice would be much appreciated. I have got the price down as much as I can, he isn't willing to budge any further.

muffler

Im sure he's not the only good blocklayer in the area. Get a couple of recommendations from neighbours and friends and get yourself about 3 or 4 estimates and decide then.

japbyrne

have you to add vat to 7,700

muffler

japbyrne wrote: »

have you to add vat to 7,700

:rolleyes:

sasol wrote: »

I have got a quote from a local blocklayer of €7,700 (+VAT)

sasol

japbyrne wrote: »

have you to add vat to 7,700

That quote is exclusive of VAT.

<SNIP>

Mod edit: We dont really want to see that.

scanner1

I got a quote of 13K (+ VAT) for foundation, DPC, Radon , Pouring of Floors (upstairs as well - Putting in Concrete floors) and all of the blockwork for a 2500sq ft storey and half.. So depending on foundation costs you have its probably about right..
But definatley get 3 or 4 quotes and cheapest may not always be best, but I saw huge variations in the quotes I got one was 26K (+ VAT) for the same work.

If only the ground would dry up now so I can get the foundations started...

japbyrne

Just checking, i know what plus means

€7,700 sounds about right for a house that size.
I guess the blocklayer counted the house solid and that came out at 7700 or there about, @ €1 a block, and will include cills, lintels, dpc, insulation, stock bricks, fire head, chimney cap, filling of chimney. he is also supplying mixer and scaffolding, plus major point he is very good and reliable. (your words)
what are the other prices you got.

sasol

japbyrne wrote: »

Just checking, i know what plus means

€7,700 sounds about right for a house that size.
I guess the blocklayer counted the house solid and that came out at 7700 or there about, @ €1 a block, and will include cills, lintels, dpc, insulation, stock bricks, fire head, chimney cap, filling of chimney. he is also supplying mixer and scaffolding, plus major point he is very good and reliable. (your words)
what are the other prices you got.

I have got a quote of 9,500 off another lad - but I won't be going with him as a few people have had bad experiences with him.

My third quote was for 7,400 from a guy who wouldn't have the best reputation in the world but did a house for a friend and they couldn't praise him enough. This guy who quoted me 7,400 for the blockwork quoted me 1,500 for foundations.

The guy who quoted me 7,700 for blockwork quoted me 2,500 for foundations.

Alls prices above exclusive of VAT.

pipsqueak

uncle of mine putting up 3500 sq foot house in leitrim, cheapest quote he got was 5200 cash in hand, thats up to roof level incl everyting except blocks.
first 2 quotes were 12k and 8 grand
haggle haggle haggle!!

bamboozle

pipsqueak wrote: »

uncle of mine putting up 3500 sq foot house in leitrim, cheapest quote he got was 5200 cash in hand, thats up to roof level incl everyting except blocks.
first 2 quotes were 12k and 8 grand
haggle haggle haggle!!

just dont over haggle and be left with a tradesman who know's that's he's making feck all on the job and may not put 100% into it!
important to get a fine line between having goodwill & the best possible price

Soldier

I am building a 3500sqft house and i got a block layer to do it for 7grand. thats including scaffolding, putting up rsj's, window cills. I am in Galway. shop around. i got 4 quotes.

japbyrne

Two of your quotes are about what the rates are now
€9500 was what you would have paid about 2 years ago, so that quote is way off.the foundations at 2,500 sounds a bit much.

Nelly73

I'm in the same boat. In the process of pricing all in sundry. Getting between 70c - 80c for blocking 2800 sq ft bungalow.... Still waiting on a quotes for clearing the site. As for PM - that will be myself and the brother with the man above hopefully on our side...

Naux

bamboozle wrote: »

just dont over haggle and be left with a tradesman who know's that's he's making feck all on the job and may not put 100% into it!
important to get a fine line between having goodwill & the best possible price

Very good advice....

Don't drive the price down so far that he'll be awkward with you when he is actually doing the job.