Building grant available - builders reluctant to take on the job

cantdecide

Someone close to me is being treated for an ongoing serious illness, their spouse having not long recovered from their own serious health issues. The big problem is that they've been living in very poor conditions for many years at this point - effectively they were self-funding the renovation and extension of their house but they were hit hard by the recession and have been living in a half built house (which they own outright) for years.

When they got ill, it came to light that a grant was available that should more or less be sufficient to complete the extension (rooms they are basically living without at the moment). Planning permission was required, sought and granted but the big problem is that the authorities require all work be completed fully and a single payment be made to the builder on completion, which sounds reasonable enough. The problem is that any builder that has been approached about the job has shyed away once they hear it's a grant job - they are reluctant to bankroll it in anticipation of the grant.

There is no one in their family that could bankroll the job temporarily and at this point, we're just looking for any left field idea that could bridge the gap between the arrival of a builder and the completion and sign-off for the grant payment.

Any ideas about how they could solve this?

cantdecide

No thoughts on this one?

Graham

You might get a better response in the construction and planning forum. Maybe ask a nice mod to move the thread for you.

cantdecide

Okay, makes sense. Thank you.

Gremlinertia

moved at op request - note new charter applies

sydthebeat

cantdecide wrote: »

Someone close to me is being treated for an ongoing serious illness, their spouse having not long recovered from their own serious health issues. The big problem is that they've been living in very poor conditions for many years at this point - effectively they were self-funding the renovation and extension of their house but they were hit hard by the recession and have been living in a half built house (which they own outright) for years.

When they got ill, it came to light that a grant was available that should more or less be sufficient to complete the extension (rooms they are basically living without at the moment). Planning permission was required, sought and granted but the big problem is that the authorities require all work be completed fully and a single payment be made to the builder on completion, which sounds reasonable enough. The problem is that any builder that has been approached about the job has shyed away once they hear it's a grant job - they are reluctant to bankroll it in anticipation of the grant.

There is no one in their family that could bankroll the job temporarily and at this point, we're just looking for any left field idea that could bridge the gap between the arrival of a builder and the completion and sign-off for the grant payment.

Any ideas about how they could solve this?

what county?

exactly what grant is being claimed?
is it the 'housing adaptation grant'?

a starting point would be to find out the names of builders who have completed similar grant jobs in the local area.

Gumbo

cantdecide wrote: »

Someone close to me is being treated for an ongoing serious illness, their spouse having not long recovered from their own serious health issues. The big problem is that they've been living in very poor conditions for many years at this point - effectively they were self-funding the renovation and extension of their house but they were hit hard by the recession and have been living in a half built house (which they own outright) for years.

When they got ill, it came to light that a grant was available that should more or less be sufficient to complete the extension (rooms they are basically living without at the moment). Planning permission was required, sought and granted but the big problem is that the authorities require all work be completed fully and a single payment be made to the builder on completion, which sounds reasonable enough. The problem is that any builder that has been approached about the job has shyed away once they hear it's a grant job - they are reluctant to bankroll it in anticipation of the grant.

There is no one in their family that could bankroll the job temporarily and at this point, we're just looking for any left field idea that could bridge the gap between the arrival of a builder and the completion and sign-off for the grant payment.

Any ideas about how they could solve this?

Where are you based?
Is it possible that builders now will not take the job on as the original price lodged is insufficient?

From been involved in many of these, you need to provide quotes to get the grant, who provided the original quotes?
Why haven't they shown an interest in building it?

cantdecide

Based in East Cork. I actually don't know which grant they are applying for but I know the maximum grant is €29,800 if that helps. The project is basically to partially finish the extension - they have a large foundation and walls built waiting for the roof but it's been that way for years. They reapplied for planning permission for a much reduced extension based on two bedrooms and a bathroom (they were told it would have to be wheelchair compliant as it's a disability type grant despite no one needing a wheelchair).

At the moment, they've struggled to get anyone to price for it at all. They've gotten one unofficial ballpark price of about €90k which will become a formal quotation at some point but that blew them backwards - the extension is half built.

Another builder is pricing it formally but several more have been approached and made noises about calling to see the job but then no follow through. The council haven't received any quotations yet. They're just failing to get the pricing stage off the ground.

Poor Uncle Tom

First of all when you are dealing with a grant situation with the Local Authority 'unofficial ballpark prices' don't count. You will need a full detailed specification of works, leaving nothing out, you will need to be very mindfull of the total budget and keep within that. You will need professional help in this regard.

You will need to organise a minimum of three quotations based on the drawings and detailed specification. Any reputable building contractor will be able to carry the €30k until the works are signed off, remember to also include connection charges, contribution fees and any professional fees as the grant is a once off payment and is an all in one payment. The grant will only cover 95% of the job up to a maximum of €30k. Although a seperate grant of 100% up to a maximum of €6k is available for the construction of ramp/level access if it is required.

cantdecide

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

First of all when you are dealing with a grant situation with the Local Authority 'unofficial ballpark prices' don't count.

Thanks. I meant the only builder that gave him any sort of number was a guy that came out and looked, and my relative was given the runaround by him. After finally tracking him down, the written quotation was promised again and never delivered but the builder mentioned to expect to be in the region of €90k. He took it to be a 'PFO' price is my point and is no longer waiting for the written quotation.

Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »

You will need to organise a minimum of three quotations based on the drawings and detailed specification. Any reputable building contractor will be able to carry the €30k until the works are signed off, remember to also include connection charges, contribution fees and any professional fees as the grant is a once off payment and is an all in one payment. The grant will only cover 95% of the job up to a maximum of €30k. Although a seperate grant of 100% up to a maximum of €6k is available for the construction of ramp/level access if it is required.

I'll pass that advice on, thanks.

I think my relative will just have to continue seeking prices. He's asked several people to call, all of whom said they would but no one is stepping up and he's not one for pestering people (maybe he should). Maybe it's just a sign that the local market is taking off again...