BUILDER/CONTRACTOR QUOTE NEEDED in OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER

Sweet_Sugar_1984

Hi. I currently have a commercial property which I bought from the council a few years back. The property had previously been used as an office, but as it is in a row of residential properties, I bought it to convert into a house.

Anyway, I applied for planning permission to convert it into a house, which has been granted subject to a section 106 payment. I have challenged the payment and the council are now asking me for a full written quote of all the work that needs doing to the property and how much it will cost. Unfortunately, getting a builder to do a written quote is proving very difficult. I have had numerous builders come out and give me a price face-to-face but they are reluctant to give a written quote- I have no idea why.

The property does need complete renovation from top to bottom and I would be very grateful if anyone could give me details of any builders or contractors who could give me a written quote as I desperately want to get things moving.

Thanks.

sugarwalsh

Hi, I have no idea why you haven't got a written quote, the builders should do one for you.
The only thing I can think is if it there is a lot of work hae they given you an estimate and don't want to spend the time doing a real quote? It can take quite a while to put them together accurately for a more complicated job?

NewtoDIY

You're doing the right thing requesting a written quotation. It's a sign of professionalism. I just sacked a builder because he was unable to be straight with me and stick to his word or confirm a start date. He told me that it doesn't work like that to which I replied it certainly doesn't and that I didn't know anybody who behaves in this way. Good riddance. It's important that yo! know exactly what you want and then have a detailed breakdown of the costs involved.

sugarwalsh

Yes, definitely steer clear of builders who wont give a written quote and references.

screwedagain

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and ask what you have given the builder to base a quotation on?

If there were drawings/plans prepared for planning permission these really only relate to building form and appearance, and generally do not deal with the specifics in terms of construction details, materials, internal layouts/finishes etc that obviously have a great effect on the quotation. You would also need building regs approval, (which is a totally separate process to planning permission), and in most cases you would aim to get this in place before getting quotes, as it irons out the finer details of the construction allowing you to get an accurate price.

Your builders do not want to be held to a quote that they prepare in good faith, if there is anything vague or unclear about the job, or contains elements likely to change as design/construction develops.

keystone

screwedagain wrote: »

Your builders do not want to be held to a quote that they prepare in good faith, if there is anything vague or unclear about the job

Quite thats why it's important that they all quote against the same clearly defined requirements specification. Having said that if they declare in their quote how they have interpreted woolly requirement A) and priced on that basis I can't see the problem.

......................or contains elements likely to change as design/construction develops.

Thats what a contract variation clause is for. Its neither here nor there in preparing a quote against the clients original spec.

Cheers