Builder in the house. Not all bad!

paeter

Just had the pleasure of having the builders in to completely renovate house that was destroyed by tenants. While I had them in I had garage built at the back and new boiler fitted. The builder came recommended by a QS friend of mine and I can’t heap enough praise on them. It is so important for that recommendation from someone and getting a builder with references you can check out. A bit of homework takes the headaches away. Also the differences in quotes between builders was 10k+. How is this possible, when builders I got we’re not the cheapest quote but still 7k cheaper than 2 others. Work completed was 30k. Are we getting completely ripped of by builders?

jack of all

A busy builder who can't take on the work because he's too busy may give an inflated quote- then if wins the bid he can take on extra workers to get it done, otherwise if he doesn't get the work he's just as happy but doesn't aggravate a potential future customer by not giving a quote. Also in busy times a builder can be picky, if access is tricky, no off street parking etc builder might just decide they don't want it. Building industry is very busy right now so normal supply and demand rules apply too.

Borzoi

paeter wrote: »

Also the differences in quotes between builders was 10k+. How is this possible, when builders I got we’re not the cheapest quote but still 7k cheaper than 2 others. Work completed was 30k. Are we getting completely ripped of by builders?

Glad the job went well for you.

Pricing work is an inexact science. I just tendered some work in my sector at €1.7m, there's a guy under me at €1.4m. At that price I would lose alot! But if he thinks he can make money at it, good luck to him. But to an outsider it looks like I'm trying to rip them off.

banie01

You have a friend who is a QS, who recommended the builder you used.
I think you may well find he's far better to break down the intricacies of the price you paid than anyone here.
He sorted you a decent builder, and he may well sort you an answer to length of a piece of string too

Prices vary, the job outcome may be the same but different builders may use different methods and labour.
Some may price high to avoid a job, some may price low to get one.
Variability and cost control in construction are an art rather than a science.

jimmycrackcorm

Borzoi wrote: »

Glad the job went well for you.

Pricing work is an inexact science. I just tendered some work in my sector at €1.7m, there's a guy under me at €1.4m. At that price I would lose alot! But if he thinks he can make money at it, good luck to him. But to an outsider it looks like I'm trying to rip them off.

I'd hazard a guess that the 1.4m bid would end up adding a lot of 'extras' along the way and likely cost more just like our Est. 650m children's hospital is now at 2bn