Installing RSJ and new patio door

mrwibble

Got a quote from a builder doing some major work on my front retaining wall.

I know they have no work for a month (and then about 4 months work)

Quote 1

Removing existing kitchen / dining room wall, installing new RSJ, moving light switch, plaster and make good - £4582.5 + VAT

Quote 2

Installing a sliding patio door - 7.5' wide - in existing window

Cut down brickwork under existing window, disconnect radiator and cap, supply and fit new patio doors, make good and plaster - £2990 + VAT

Seem reasonable ?

darich

Not sure if quote 1 is reasonable.
Quote 2 is a rip off....big time.
A couple of months ago we got a price for something almost identical - remove existing double glazed window, remove brick work below window and install a new french door. Window width is approx 1800mm. Door height would be approx 2040mm

We were quoted around £1228 by the door company (reputable, local and we've used them before) That didn't include moving a radiator though.
I asked about supply only of the door as mentioned on their website. He said the price would be £645 for supply only. One of my friends is a builder and would be cheaper.
You'll need building control drawings and acceptance from the council. Door company could do that for us too - £200 for the drawings and £100 fee to the council. I can do the drawings my self though.

To be quoted almost £3k plus VAT is nothing short of robbery.

For comparison, i would need approx 1800 x 1200 of brickwork removed. I assume you'll be similar to that.

Having given you the above info i would say that if the same builder has given you both quotes, then quote 1 is also robbery.
I'm in Lanarkshire so no large city weighting but even still....at least one of those prices is ridiculous.

mrwibble

Thanks for the info

Just to be clear the width - just measured it at 2.3m - price does not include building control, structural calcs etc for either one.

It is in South Bucks so pricing on the higher side (builders round here still seem to be busy extending houses !). A local architect (wife is friend of his wife) thought around £3.5 - £5k would be likely range but he is used to bigger stuff than our humble abode.

darich

I suppose it also depends on what style of doors you want.
My price was based on plain double glazed doors with no patterns or fancy add ons. White upvc frame.
If the door you want is to fit within an existing window opening then no calcs are necessary - there will aleady be an adequate lintel in place.
Building control will be reuiqred to ensure doorstep, insulation, dampproofing etc are all installed and/or not damaged.

Your location may push the price up a bit but I'm still surprused at how much you're being quoted.

Try searching french/patio door websites - some may have a calculator to give you an idea on the price of the door and that might also let you know if you are actually being ripped off, or if the prices are genuinely higher in your area.

mrwibble

darich wrote: »

I suppose it also depends on what style of doors you want.
My price was based on plain double glazed doors with no patterns or fancy add ons. White upvc frame.
If the door you want is to fit within an existing window opening then no calcs are necessary - there will aleady be an adequate lintel in place.
Building control will be reuiqred to ensure doorstep, insulation, dampproofing etc are all installed and/or not damaged.

Your location may push the price up a bit but I'm still surprused at how much you're being quoted.

Try searching french/patio door websites - some may have a calculator to give you an idea on the price of the door and that might also let you know if you are actually being ripped off, or if the prices are genuinely higher in your area.

Sorry - £3.5k - £5k was for RSJ work - I was expecting around £2k for new patio door - it will be white uPVC sliding door - no fancy stuff other than a few pounds for better spec glass

Will do as you advise

markie1980

I would also agree that those prices are well over the top.
Definatly worth getting a couple more quotes.

mrwibble

Well now looking at around £800 delivered for what I was looking at for the new door - so around £1.5k all in.

I'm waiting to hear if the RSJ is included - I got a surveyor to manage the specification for the outside work - major rebuild of several substantial retaining walls including waterproofing plus new steps for £17k over 3 weeks so 1 day for £3k to put in 1 patio door seems excessive in comparison.