How much does a block layer cost?

BoozyBabe

Wondering if anyone can give me a rough figure.

(The other thread seems to be more for contractor rates throughout the country)

We'll be employing a block layer who will be laying the sub-floor (but not the foundations), building the cavity wall / internal walls & installing the cavity insulation.

It's a 2600 sq ft 2 storey house in rural North East.

Anyone know roughly how much this should cost?

I think I've read different times on here that it's €1 per block, on average, but, how do I know how many blocks there are in a 2600sq ft house?
If someone could even tell me that, or give me a rough price per sq foot.

It's a basic rectangle shape, (with a 2 storey centre piece protruding at front for porch), no awkward angles, bay windows or anything like that to be dealing with.

Anyone any ideas?
Thanks,
BB

Quazzie

BoozyBabe wrote: »

Wondering if anyone can give me a rough figure.

(The other thread seems to be more for contractor rates throughout the country)

We'll be employing a block layer who will be laying the sub-floor (but not the foundations), building the cavity wall / internal walls & installing the cavity insulation.

It's a 2600 sq ft 2 storey house in rural North East.

Anyone know roughly how much this should cost?

I think I've read different times on here that it's €1 per block, on average, but, how do I know how many blocks there are in a 2600sq ft house?
If someone could even tell me that, or give me a rough price per sq foot.

It's a basic rectangle shape, (with a 2 storey centre piece protruding at front for porch), no awkward angles, bay windows or anything like that to be dealing with.

Anyone any ideas?
Thanks,
BB

€0.80-€1.00 a block is about what they go for. As for how many blocks in a house, thats impossible to know without seeing plans and elevations. If you are planning on going through the direct labour route maybe hiring a Quantity Surveyor would be of benefit. I think in your situation its a false economy not to.

BoozyBabe

See, I figured it would be impossible to know.
That's why I always wondered what was the point of saying a builder charges X amt per block.
Still doesn't tell me how much it's gonna cost to build my house!!!!
Thanks Quazzie

Quazzie

I'm usually the last person to call in the professionals, but I really think that €1k spent on a Quantity Surveyor at the start of the building could easily save over 5 times that over the process of the build. It might seem like a lot of money now but in terms of worth its usually pretty obvious at the end where he/she saved you money.

AckwelFoley

Boozy, they were getting 1.20, but i know jobs being done for 70 cent now!

ive blocked a handful of houses, so im pretty accurate at calculating the quantity of blocks. If you have a scan of the plans i can give you a reasonable est of what a blocklayer will cost.

BoozyBabe

Thanks V much Snyper!
I'll find a set of plans somewhere here & PM them to you.
Cheers!

gally74

better off to work out a rate per the load of blocks,

for example 800 per load, it gets away from bricks, 6" soaps etc.

rok

hi Gally, can you explain what "per load" means?
Do you mean per load of blockws bought ?
I heard from friends that pricing per block is handy coz you know exactly how many blocks have been laid

murphaph

gally is pointing out that "€0.80 per block" means even small bricks are 80c each to lay-same as a large concrete block! A load of bricks will have a lot more units than a load of blocks.

If the house is entirely block built and rendered with no brickwork, then it's of little benefit but if there's lots of brickwork you'd rather pay per load than per brick.

kkelliher

It is simple enogh to calculate (QS giving away the secrets lol)
remember to allow for height below floor; give yourself 1m from Floor level as a budget if you dont know


For a sinle leaf wall 100mm wide

length of wall x height x 9.88 = number of blocks


For a cavity wall with 100mm outer leaf and 100mm innerleaf

length of wall x height x 9.88 x 2 = number of blocks


For a cavity wall with 100mm outer leaf and 225mm innerleaf

length of wall x height x (9.88+20.22) = number of blocks



You dont have to deduct for windows as blocklayers measure straight through when pricing. Deduct for windws if your working out materials cost.

Hope this helps

Keith

rok

cheers for that lads

AckwelFoley

Booxybabe, i have that email sent.

BoozyBabe

Thanks for that Snyper.
Appreciate it

mickdw

Ok, when snyper gets back with the block numbers, you need to be sure what you are getting the price for from the blocklayers.

Some blocklayers will say 80 cent/block. Then will look for extra for cills, lintels, insulation , filling chimney( Some do this work)etc.

Others will say 80 cent/block but will measure the area including window and door opes under say 1.2m wide as there is as much work involved in building the ope as there would be building a wall straight through.

It was mentioned above to try to get a blocklayer to price/load. That would be foolish on their part and ive never heard of that.

Best thing to do really is get an idea of block numbers from snyper, then get an overall price from a few blocklayers while specifically confirming that it includes the insulation, cills, lintels, all damps finished properly etc etc. That is the safest way. and you will have a good idea of price/block from your own calcs.
Any blocklayer who is not trying to scam you should be happy to give you an overall price based on detailed drawings.
It is important to be aware that site safety is your responsibily and also should there be delays on site where the blocklayer turns up and cannot do a proper days work due to material shortage or lack of organisation you can expect to pay him extra

muffler

mickdw wrote: »

Some blocklayers will say €80 cent/block.

Holy shit :eek:

gally74

i went to 3 block layers,

one said 10K for the house,

another said 1.30 a block,

last chap said there's 7500 blocks in that house and 1 euro a block, that included all cills etc.

so i ended up paying 1000 per load of blocks 1056 on a lorry, if he need a bale of bricks etc we just ordered it, 6" soap's etc.

worked out v good, n.b. same block layer is now 80 cent per block