Taking builders in for estimates

bluedrop

Hi all,
We had an offer accepted on a property. We've instructed the survey. They surveyors are yet to schedule a date though. Its chain free both sides - so we are looking at completing in 6 weeks if everything goes fine.

The property needs updating - a new bathroom, new kitchen and new flooring. We also want to knock some walls etc....We are renting at the moment and we'd like to get this work done in 2-3 weeks after completion and then move in.

I am keen on getting 2-3 builders in to get estimates. I am totally clueless about how much the work would cost. So getting estimates now will help me decide and plan what I want to get done now and what later. Also, good builders get booked well in advance...

Is is reasonable to ask the vendors to allow me to get 3 builders in at different times? The surveyor will also need access to the property sometime next week.

LandyAndy

bluedrop wrote: »

Hi all,
We had an offer accepted on a property. We've instructed the survey. They surveyors are yet to schedule a date though. Its chain free both sides - so we are looking at completing in 6 weeks if everything goes fine.

The property needs updating - a new bathroom, new kitchen and new flooring. We also want to knock some walls etc....We are renting at the moment and we'd like to get this work done in 2-3 weeks after completion and then move in.

I am keen on getting 2-3 builders in to get estimates. I am totally clueless about how much the work would cost. So getting estimates now will help me decide and plan what I want to get done now and what later. Also, good builders get booked well in advance...

Is is reasonable to ask the vendors to allow me to get 3 builders in at different times? The surveyor will also need access to the property sometime next week.

If I was your vendor I would happily allow this providing you gave me plenty of notice and didn't just turn up on my doorstep. In the end it isn't a great inconvenience if it smooths the sale.

mrsmchapman

I'm not sure I'd be to happy tbh, not until you had exchanged anyway and then yes I'd allow it. I'm sure others will be different but I don't see what difference a few weeks is going to make to you, so can't understand why you can't just get builders around once you'd moved in. Also I do feel that what you might like to do now and what you'd like to do once you love in might be slightly different, I've always found this the case.

LandyAndy

mrsmchapman wrote: »

I'm not sure I'd be to happy tbh, not until you had exchanged anyway and then yes I'd allow it. I'm sure others will be different but I don't see what difference a few weeks is going to make to you, so can't understand why you can't just get builders around once you'd moved in. Also I do feel that what you might like to do now and what you'd like to do once you love in might be slightly different, I've always found this the case.

It's not really much different to having an ordinary viewing is it?

I think I'd be pleased someone was seriously interested enough to do this.

If I'm trying to get someone to give me several hundred thousand pounds I'd be reasonably accomodating

mrsmchapman

Interesting enough, or discovering they can't do what they want or it will cost to much and then pulling out!!!!

Like I say each to their own, but house selling is stressful enough as it is, without someone then wanting to bring all and sundry round!

Ivana_Tinkle

I think it's a big ask. Apart from anything else, you really need to be there, walking round with the builder, explaining exactly what you want, chatting about potential problems and solutions, and generally hearing their ideas. That will help you choose which one to use.

From the vendor's point of view, you're effectively asking to have another 2-3 very detailed viewings and an extra 2-3 surveys, which is a lot of stress and hassle for them. You can but ask, but I wouldn't be offended or read anything into it if they say no. FWIW, if I was the vendor I'd let you bring one builder round, but not three. (Assuming I was living in the property - it's a bit different if it's empty.)

Malks

If it were me, I would be happy with one builder coming round, but draw the line at any more. The one builder would give a good guide of what is possible and a very ball park figure for the work you are thinking off.

There is no point booking a builder until you have exchanged anyway, as something may come up which suddenly puts you off the property and the dates can slip so far beyond what you expected, that the builder won't be willing to postpone other jobs. So personally I would hold off until you have at least exchanged before getting more builders to quote.

bluedrop

Thanks everyone.

Now that they've agreed, I'll take the builder in on Tuesday. Will hold other estimates off until I've exchanged.

We will anyway get the bathroom done before moving in (its in a pathetic condition at the moment).... kitchen, flooring etc -ok for now...How feasible is it to have work done after moving in??? Things like getting the flooring changed, completely re-doing the kitchen - how long will these take?

Malks

Depends on how big the rooms are and what is already in place. Carpets or vinyl flooring shouldn’t take more than a morning or afternoon to change.

Bathroom, are you going for a full refit and retile? Again depending on size I would say 3 - 5 days max, including tiling if your go for a full retile.

Kitchen - again depends what you are doing and size of it. Ripping out and putting in new cupboards 1 or 2 days. Then a few more days to redecorate around the new cupboards.

ValHaller

mrsmchapman wrote: »

Interesting enough, or discovering they can't do what they want or it will cost to much and then pulling out!!!!

If a seller does not allow viewings for quotes on these grounds, buyer will almost certainly reasonably decide that there is too much risk in their proposals and pull out for definite.

So a seller refusing a viewing on these grounds could turn a possibility of the buyer pulling out to a certainty.

DRP

ValHaller wrote: »

If a seller does not allow viewings for quotes on these grounds, buyer will almost certainly reasonably decide that there is too much risk in their proposals and pull out for definite.

So a seller refusing a viewing on these grounds could turn a possibility of the buyer pulling out to a certainty.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Surely it is reasonable and in the vendors own interests to accommodate the person buying your house (within reason) for 100s of thousands?