Builder looking for Money

harr

Hi
Just a quick question,i am currently getting a kitchen extension done,the full cost is 26,000 euro and the builder is well known and trusted...The block work is just about finished but this morning the builder asked if i could get him a few quid he is looking for around 10 grand,he never mentioned this when we agreed a price and i am sure he has trade accounts to cover all the materials for the job....I am just not sure if this is a normal request a builder would make on such a small job like this... He is a busy builder and i did not think cash flow would be a problem for him...

Just on a side note,the windows we are using are not standard size one of them is a full wall size not sure if this would make any difference.
Thanks

sydthebeat

to hold a €26k line of credit on a house extension is a bit of an ask, in my opinion.
However, either you agreed to 'all at the end' payment or you didnt.

haulagebasher

Not sure if such a thing as a standard size window exists. Most are made to measure.

Anyway as regards the payment, stage payments on one off housing jobs and extensions are the norm. Say 5k before works begine, 10k at floor slab, 10k at walls up etc.

But the requests for payment shoudl not be coming out of the blue. They should be scheduled for in the contract.
Really all this should have been fully detailed in the contract. You do have a proper contract don't you?

deckycoop

Its not a uncommon request. Because so many builders have bein screwed over in the past few years due to not gettin paid for work done it gives the builder some security for himself.. He does half the job and gets a few euro for his work done so far. If he doesn't get his money he will be tinking there mite be a problem and alarm bells will start ringing and he could be tinking off gettin screwed.

enricoh

5 grand before work begins?! are u for real? not unless you want to appear on tv with builders from hell!
tbh credit is really tight from builders merchants so i wouldnt begrudge giving him a few grand, but not 10. foundations n blockwork are the cheapest part of the build - i'd give 5 n 5 when the roofs on.
lash out the dough before he finishes and a few extras might arise!

harr

Thanks for the reply's,I got a full and detailed quote at the start of the job which he went into the full the costings of the job and what was included and what was not,i was happy with it and we both signed it,but there was no mention of any staged payments in this or did he mention it to us at any stage..That is why i was a bit taken back when he looked for the money this morning...:eek:

Gurgle

harr wrote: »

i was happy with it and we both signed it,but there was no mention of any staged payments in this or did he mention it to us at any stage

Staged payments are the way its usually done afaik, but it should have been discussed and arranged before any work started.

I got an extension built a couple of years ago; paid 1/6th when the foundations were complete, 1/3rd when the blockwork was complete, 1/3rd when the roof was finished and the final 1/6th when everything was complete.

So by the stage yours is at, I had paid 1/2 the total cost.

-edit- You have got each stage signed off by an independent engineer? That was part of the deal with mine, each stage was only paid after inspection & approval.

Gurgle

haulagebasher wrote: »

Say 5k before works begine, 10k at floor slab, 10k at walls up etc.

That would be this job fully paid for without a roof, plumbing, electrics, plastering ...

haulagebasher

Gurgle wrote: »

That would be this job fully paid for without a roof, plumbing, electrics, plastering ...

I'm just giving figures as examples to explain a point. I'm not relating it to this job specifically.

SC024

You should already have agreed a plan regarding stage payments, If not you need to get one agreed now. You should agree a plan that

1. Ensure he has payment within A reasonable timescale at an amount = to fair value of works completed less retention.

The reasoning for this generally is that at the end of the day it is a business he is running & all businesses need cashflow. He has suppliers / Wages / subcontractors etc etc which all need to be paid in a timely fashion

How would you feel if your employer was withholding your wages/salary if he was awaiting payment from a client? I use this as an example as this is in fact how bad things are out there at the moment.

In saying that you shouldn't over pay him at any stage either as that would represent you taking on extra unecesary amount of risk.

harr wrote: »

Hi
Just a quick question,i am currently getting a kitchen extension done,the full cost is 26,000 euro and the builder is well known and trusted...The block work is just about finished but this morning the builder asked if i could get him a few quid he is looking for around 10 grand,he never mentioned this when we agreed a price and i am sure he has trade accounts to cover all the materials for the job....I am just not sure if this is a normal request a builder would make on such a small job like this... He is a busy builder and i did not think cash flow would be a problem for him...

Just on a side note,the windows we are using are not standard size one of them is a full wall size not sure if this would make any difference.
Thanks

harry21

If you have a detailed cost breakdown like you say, offer to pay him for the work that is done. I think staged payments is fair enough.

You can get someone to look over the work and the cost to ensure te work is ok and the contract isn't front loaded in terms of payment