Got quote, what to check?

Zulu

I got a quote from a builder I found online. No recommendations. Good quote though.

Before locking the builder in, what should I be checking? ie: should I be checking he's insured, that hes "bonded" whatever that means, or what????


New to all this, so...

Calahonda52

What planet are you occupying?
.
You need to see that he exists first, there was an earlier scam described here: he will agree to what ever you want, then ask for 25 tor 50% advance and then vanish

Zulu

Calahonda52 wrote: »

What planet are you occupying?
.
You need to see that he exists first, there was an earlier scam described here: he will agree to what ever you want, then ask for 25 tor 50% advance and then vanish

Well before jumping to that....


I met him, he came out to survey in advance of providing the quote. So he exists. He's registered as a builder, not that registering a company means a whole heap.



Hence this thread.

I'm trying NOT to get scammed by asking for help and advice.

Blowheads

Zulu wrote: »

Well before jumping to that....


I met him, he came out to survey in advance of providing the quote. So he exists. He's registered as a builder, not that registering a company means a whole heap.



Hence this thread.

I'm trying NOT to get scammed by asking for help and advice.

Ask some friends or some locals for a recommendation. What are you building, where etc?

The Mighty Quinn

Calahonda52 wrote: »

What planet are you occupying?

But harsh Cal, he's asking reasonable questions. He never mentioned about handing over sums of cash.

looksee

Is this for an extension or similar, or a house? Do you have an architect/engineer on the job? Certainly get them involved for advice and recommendations. Even if it is for a smallish job I would consider having someone supervising/managing the job if you are not really familiar with the pitfalls of building. It seems like another expense, it could save you thousands.

As for who to select, well I have recently employed people for outside/groundwork/landscaping type work, and have been scammed twice. More fool me. First guy local, recommended - up to a point, hard to find people who can recommend someone, he did the job but took some shortcuts when I wasn't looking that I did not find till later. Second crowd local (10 minutes away, next village) decent website, looked ok as far as I could check. They were total, out and out, scam artists who did the absolute minimum to look like a job - its a long story and a bit complicated but in the end after a week of half-baked messing I paid them to get them off the site with no come back. Its kinda sad that there are some people you do not want on your property or even knowing where it is. And there is nothing I can do about it, and they will go and scam someone else.

So be warned, get some recommendations. Ask him about jobs he has done, check them out if you can. Find them on streetview on google maps and go and see what sort of a set up there is. Get a quote on their headed paper, including vat and a detailed breakdown of what is to be done. If he is reluctant to do either of these things then walk. Also there is a lot of work out there at the moment, if they are too available, be suspicious.

Bonzo Delaney

Old saying is to try and get someone that hasn't the time to do the job.

Zulu

Its a tiny job so I'm struggling to find anyone - so much so, I'm considering doing it myself.

Job is parts of a garage conversion, no "gotchas".
Block up a garage door leaving space for window.
Put in a window sill.
Cut a hole in an existing wall, and place a steal beam to support.
Then render the outside, and plaster the inside.

It's an in-and-out job for them. But they'll do a better job of the render and plaster than I will, hence I'm considering them.

I'm only getting f-off quotes between €10 and 20K. This guy is saying €4K which seems about right to me.

looksee

You might be better finding someone who can do the structural work - apart from putting in a steel beam which could be a minefield, it sounds handiman level, then look for a plasterer. What is the steel for, is it just over a doorway? Why not a concrete lintel?

Gumbo

What are you comparing his quote against?
Do you have drawings, detailed bill of quantities?

How do you know he’s pricing for what you will get?
What materials?
What insulation?
What air tightness?
What standard is he building to?

Zulu

looksee wrote: »

Is this for an extension or similar, or a house?

Its converting an existing standalone garage.

Do you have an architect/engineer on the job?

No. My friend is an engineer and did the calcs for the steel and provided me the sizing etc

So be warned, get some recommendations. Ask him about jobs he has done, check them out if you can. Find them on streetview on google maps and go and see what sort of a set up there is.

Good shout; will.

Get a quote on their headed paper, including vat and a detailed breakdown of what is to be done.

He's provided this.

looksee wrote: »

You might be better finding someone who can do the structural work - apart from putting in a steel beam which could be a minefield, it sounds handiman level,

My thoughts exactly

What is the steel for, is it just over a doorway? Why not a concrete lintel?

It's a 4500mm hole so concrete is out.

Gumbo wrote: »

What are you comparing his quote against?

Nothing other than "verbal" quotes I was provided. That's all I could get in the past year. People aren't interested.

Do you have drawings, detailed bill of quantities?

No. I appreciate it sounds like madness, but it's a tiny job. Got an engineer to spec the steel.

How do you know he’s pricing for what you will get?

Yes, we talked through it and he set it out in the quote.

What materials?

Not specified in the quote - I'll get him to update accordingly - thanks, good shout. But it's 70mm insulated plasterboard internally. And block matching existing (cavity) save for the support of the steel, which will be solid blocks for the pillar. Steel is spec'd.

What air tightness?

None. I'll ask. Again, thanks

What standard is he building to?

??? I dont understand. Can you explain? THanks.

looksee

Also if you are converting a stand-alone garage into something that could be considered habitable (not sure where an office fits into that) you will probably need planning permission.