Re-Spreading TopSoil - An Extra or Expected?

daddycool

Just thought I'd put this up to see what people think

My builder (contract self-build ... if that makes sense!) has just finished a 750lk build (based on a 2007 price/contract so I think he did well)

Job is excellent and I must say, I was surprised at the high quality of the build and the attention to detail - so no complaints there

However, now that the final bill has come in, the extras are there (everywhere) and I'm trying to work out what is FAIR to pay

One that I don't think is fair is 5k for 'landscaping' which is what they are charging for re-spreading the top soil around the house (which they stripped and kept at the beginning of the build in a big heap in a field)

They say as it is not in their original tender price, its an extra. I'm saying that if you found the site that way when yoiu started, it's fair to assume you'd return it to the same way when you leave (as opposed to leaving a big mound). My architect agrees with me, but I just would like to hear others experience or opinions

No actual 'landscaping' has been done really - 1 small tier altight which I'll give him something for maybe, but otherwise it;s just flat level with teh field in terms of re-spreading

His charge is for plant hire + labour to do it - also I don't think it's my problem if he doesn't own the appropriate equipment for his job

All input and opinions really welcome from all backgrounds

ThePiedPiper

that seems like a ridiculous price.. if the site the size of an acre or so, the guy would've done that work in a day.. day's hire of the machine might've been a couple of hundred and the digger driver's wages maybe another couple.. I'd divide it by 10 and it might be fair..

sydthebeat

Were you supplied with a quotation that did not include 'landscaping'?? Is the lawn area set to seed??

Did you, or your architect, sanction the spreading of the topsoil knowing it was an extra??

Was a contract signed???

as an aside, 5K is grossly over estimated for plant hire and labour costs.... unless it took him 2 weeks to do this!!..

gerry28

One that I don't think is fair is 5k for 'landscaping' which is what they are charging for re-spreading the top soil around the house (which they stripped and kept at the beginning of the build in a big heap in a field)

I was quoted €600 for this work on an acre and I thought it was steepish.

Ask him for a breakdown of this 5K... Grill him on it.

Its very depressing to think some builder have not learned anything from the downturn.

Builderfromhell

As mentioned above, how extra work is agreed and paid for should have been outlined in the contract.
A job of that size should have had a contrcat and a professional to oversee the works.

I can't see how a builder could argue thta he hadn't priced for levelling top soil but decided to do it anyway and then bill you 5,000 for it.
You say there are many extras billed for in similar ways. You may need to agree with the builder to get a QS to price the extras independently and then pay the builder based on these independent figures. Hopefully everyone is treated fairly then.

Incidentally, in the Mid west, a digger and driver will come to do that kind of work for €25 per hour. Raking and seeding is a laborious and time consuming task and would typically coast about €500 for 1/2 acre.

ThePiedPiper

daddycool wrote: »

My builder (contract self-build ... if that makes sense!) has just finished a 750lk build (based on a 2007 price/contract so I think he did well)

Is that a total contract price of 750,000 Euro? If so, the guy might just think you're a multi-millionaire who won't question €5,000 and pay anything.. It must've been some house you built!

daddycool

Thanks for the replies - as I thought. Now I will give you all a better laugh as the job (& price) does not involve raking or seeding at all - just spreading and that's it. Spent the weekend picking stones myself!

I felt it was steep alright, but just wanted to confirm that I was being fair denying the extra

as for the 750k price - it is a great house, to quality finish thus driving the price high but also a 2007 build price only finished now. As I said before, the quality of build is second-to-none and having read so many horror stories on these boards over the years, it is good to have 'good' builders out there still. they have been very fair on other aspects of the build costs so I was surprised when I saw this bit

More replies and opinions welcome