Any builders on here, I need some advice please.

[Des Parrot]

I have planning permission for a single storey extension to the rear of my house, opening up the existing lounge / kitchen into the new extension. I have architect & structural drawings complete.

I’ve involved 4 local building companies, who gave me an estimate price based on the architectural drawings, 3 of which were within £5k of one another. This was in March. Based on those being within my budget, I decided to proceed.

I now have the planning and full drawing package. I’ve asked them each for a quote.

Here’s my dilemmas. Firstly is it normal for a builder to ask you to pay for a quotation, namely £300 to cover the QS costs and second, the huge variation between quotes £40k, compared to estimates £5k. This is just 2 months later and with basically the same drawings.

I know you can’t make the decision for me but I’d appreciate any feedback on the request to pay for the QS and the substantial variation in cost.

Thanks in advance.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

I have planning permission for a single storey extension to the rear of my house, opening up the existing lounge / kitchen into the new extension. I have architect & structural drawings complete.

I’ve involved 4 local building companies, who gave me an estimate price based on the architectural drawings, 3 of which were within £5k of one another. This was in March. Based on those being within my budget, I decided to proceed.

I now have the planning and full drawing package. I’ve asked them each for a quote.

Here’s my dilemmas. Firstly is it normal for a builder to ask you to pay for a quotation, namely £300 to cover the QS costs and second, the huge variation between quotes £40k, compared to estimates £5k. This is just 2 months later and with basically the same drawings.

I know you can’t make the decision for me but I’d appreciate any feedback on the request to pay for the QS and the substantial variation in cost.

Thanks in advance.

A lot of the trades ask for a payment for quotes these days especially when it's more than just fixing a few roof tiles

With regard to the extension are you saying the quotes vary from 5 k to 40 k ??

What are the quotes you have had , more specifically

[Des Parrot]

A lot of the trades ask for a payment for quotes these days especially when it's more than just fixing a few roof tiles

With regard to the extension are you saying the quotes vary from 5 k to 40 k ??

What are the quotes you have had , more specifically

I had 3 estimates in the range 40-45k. I’ve had one quote of £60k & another of £99k, waiting on two others, one of which is asking for the £300 for the QS

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

I had 3 estimates in the range 40-45k. I’ve had one quote of £60k & another of £99k, waiting on two others, one of which is asking for the £300 for the QS

3 estimates initially .....40 to 45k

Then these turned into quotes .....for 60 and 99 ?

A bit confused here to be honest

If you object to paying 300 quid for a detailed quote then I would ask the relevant builder not to forward you one

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

What changes have there been since estimates of 40 k etc turned into 60 and 99 etc ?

If there havnt been any then I would ask the builder why , in detail , the figures have jumped

Even 10 k would be a bit alarming

[Heathblue]

I have planning permission for a single storey extension to the rear of my house, opening up the existing lounge / kitchen into the new extension. I have architect & structural drawings complete.

I’ve involved 4 local building companies, who gave me an estimate price based on the architectural drawings, 3 of which were within £5k of one another. This was in March. Based on those being within my budget, I decided to proceed.

I now have the planning and full drawing package. I’ve asked them each for a quote.

Here’s my dilemmas. Firstly is it normal for a builder to ask you to pay for a quotation, namely £300 to cover the QS costs and second, the huge variation between quotes £40k, compared to estimates £5k. This is just 2 months later and with basically the same drawings.

I know you can’t make the decision for me but I’d appreciate any feedback on the request to pay for the QS and the substantial variation in cost.



Thanks in advance.

I did something similar to yourself a few years ago opening up the back of the house, never paid for a quote the only advice I would give is to nail the scope of work in writing, every single bit of detail, I did get caught with a loosely worded quote, make them specify in the quote that all work undertaken, is in accordance with and complies to all current building regulations, my builder tried to put insulation in the roof which did not comply with the regs, fortunately the building control inspector was going to refuse to pass the work unless they did it correctly, some building inspectors are too friendly with builders and will turn a blind eye. Make sure you ask the builder if he's ever used, spirit levels, laser levels and plumb bobs !!!!!!!!! and know how to read a tape measure
, there are still too many cowboys in the trade that think everything is done by standing 12 feet away and leveling up by eye. My extension is functional and OK, but I,d not recommend the builder who did it, we did fall out towards the end of the job and it became a bit frosty. I have no idea how anyone could fall out with me 😂

[Des Parrot]

What changes have there been since estimates of 40 k etc turned into 60 and 99 etc ?

If there havnt been any then I would ask the builder why , in detail , the figures have jumped

Even 10 k would be a bit alarming

No changes have been made at all. That’s why I’m concerned. The estimates were based on the initial drawings, all that’s happened is that the drawings for the quotes are now have detailed dimensions and stipulation of the code to be met. Also like HB said, I’d already attached a 6 page list of inclusions, exclusions, who buys what, things to clarify etc.

[az city]

No changes have been made at all. That’s why I’m concerned. The estimates were based on the initial drawings, all that’s happened is that the drawings for the quotes are now have detailed dimensions and stipulation of the code to be met. Also like HB said, I’d already attached a 6 page list of inclusions, exclusions, who buys what, things to clarify etc.

I was going to do an extension on a house in Cardiff a few years back. I decided to sell the house instead. I asked various builders and got a lot of no-shows or widely diverging estimates. Eventually I found an architect/PM who would do the whole thing, including hiring and managing builders for GBP 4/5k. I can't remember the name of the firm but that definitely seemed to be the least hassle and surprisingly least cost option.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

No changes have been made at all. That’s why I’m concerned. The estimates were based on the initial drawings, all that’s happened is that the drawings for the quotes are now have detailed dimensions and stipulation of the code to be met. Also like HB said, I’d already attached a 6 page list of inclusions, exclusions, who buys what, things to clarify etc.

If that's the case then unless you are desperate to get it done ....which is always something to try and avoid ....you should write or e mail the potential builders asking them to detail why the price of initial estimate varies so much from actual quote

It seems a huge hike

Can you contact other builders and see what they come up with ?

[Des Parrot]

If that's the case then unless you are desperate to get it done ....which is always something to try and avoid ....you should write or e mail the potential builders asking them to detail why the price of initial estimate varies so much from actual quote

It seems a huge hike

Can you contact other builders and see what they come up with ?

I’m waiting for the last quote, then will compare them side by side, then have the detailed discussion. There’s chance to involve others. As I’m now retired I have a finite budget, so have to get the detail right.

[Tuerto]

I had 3 estimates in the range 40-45k. I’ve had one quote of £60k & another of £99k, waiting on two others, one of which is asking for the £300 for the QS

The 99k estimate is an indication that the builder doesn't need the work, so he'll throw put an inflated quote with little chance of getting the work, although if he does then he earns well out of it. It's a market.