Best way to get a detailed quote?

pakb1ue · 27-01-2025 01:07PM #1

What's the best way to get a detailed quote from a contractor? Have you ever offered to pay for a quote?

I'm trying to get a quote to renovate (rewire, replumb, new kitchen and bathrooms) a house in Mayo under the vacant homes scheme, but I’ve had a lot of trouble getting responses. Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

Email: I send a detailed email with plans, photos, and a list of what I want done, but rarely get a reply.
Text: I send a brief message asking if they're taking on work, with a short description of the project, and ask them to call me back if interested.
Phone Call: I try calling, but most of the time, my calls go unanswered. If they don’t pick up, I follow up with a text explaining why I called, but still get no response. When they do answer, I often find out they aren't taking on new work.

I did manage to get one quote, but it took months and required two visits because the builder had forgotten what I wanted done. I had to call and text him regularly for updates. When I finally got a quote it was handwritten and sent as a photo with the total cost with no break down in costs. When I asked for a more detailed quote to help with my application for the vacant homes scheme, he went silent again.

I feel like I'm doing something wrong and just wondering is there a better way I could be doing things. Is giving too many details at the beginning an issue?

rayjdav · 27-01-2025 01:40PM

You could go to a QS and get a BoQ done up? Costs €€€

Have you detailed tender drawings prepared. Most builders won't look at a job unless there are drawings, with detailed info on them. The day of the Planning dwgs been used are a thing of the past as you cannot give a detailed quote off them.

There is no enticment for a builder to give a detailed quote, as it takes time to prepare and he may not get anything from it.

Also, at the moment, builders can pick and choose their projects and a renovation can be too onerous for them, with a LOT of hidden items. They prefer to get in/out as quick as possible, naturally.

Sit down with a local Arch/Arch Tech and get drawings done and they may know a suitable builder…..

youtheman · 27-01-2025 01:59PM

If you ever did a 'Negotiating' course one of the fundamentals you'll learn is that Contractors like to give a 'rolled up' or single sum, and Clients want a more detailed 'line by line' or breakdown of the total cost. If a Contractor gives a breakdown then the Client will regularly try to 'Nickle and Dime' him/her with a view to getting the cost down. As mentioned above, the way the market is at the moment the upper hand is with the Contractors, so he/she can dictate the terms.

Suckler · 27-01-2025 02:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123104421#Comment_123104421

You could go to a QS and get a BoQ done up? Costs €€€

This.

They'll put together a competent pricing pack and generally know who to go to. It will be evident to the contractor(s) pricing it that the information has been compiled professionally and thought through. Otherwise it could well be a waste of their time. It's a nightmare for all sides when the inevitable disputes arise from the "I priced for X" versus the "I expect Y" situations.

pakb1ue · 04-02-2025 07:38PM

I hadn't thought of going to a QS as I'm not planning to change the layout of the house (bar knocking one small non-load bearing wall). I am also lacking detailed drawings of the property (house was built by my father).

04-02-2025 07:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058391760/best-way-to-get-a-detailed-quote

You might be better off paying for the quote, they don't generally do it otherwise, as you can see yourself. It's a pain in the butt, I know. I've done three houses that I've lived in, the first, mostly contractors, the 2nd, about 50/50 and the third one 90% of the work was mine. In fact, it was the rewiring of the house and some of the plumbing I needed experts with, the rest I done myself with a pair of helping hands here and there. If you're anyway handy with DIY and problem solving, you'd be surprised what you can do yourself and save a fortune in the process. But, when in any doubt at all, call an expert before proceeding.

Best way to get a detailed quote?

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