Problem getting a quote for an extension

DanDerham

I'm planning on having an single storey 4.2m by 3m kitchen extension done on my house (in north somerset) but I'm having a problem getting any quotes at all. So far I have:

Signed up to a 'find a trades man' website, which is suppose to find builders in your area. This resulted in one builder who phoned me to arrrange to come out to do a quote. He never turned up.

Next I went through yellow pages, after ringing a few I got 2 builders to come out to do quotes, both came within a week and said they would give me the quote within a week... that was nearly 2 months ago, I've tried phoning them and they always say within a week.

I've since got another builder to come out to do a quote, and again said he would do a quote within a week, that was 2 weeks ago.

Has anyone else had similar problems? Any advice? Do I just continue phoning up all the builders in the yellow pages and hope one of them eventually does a quote?

Thanks,
Dan.

stamford

DanDerham wrote: »

I'm planning on having an single storey 4.2m by 3m kitchen extension done on my house (in north somerset) but I'm having a problem getting any quotes at all. So far I have:

Signed up to a 'find a trades man' website, which is suppose to find builders in your area. This resulted in one builder who phoned me to arrrange to come out to do a quote. He never turned up.

Next I went through yellow pages, after ringing a few I got 2 builders to come out to do quotes, both came within a week and said they would give me the quote within a week... that was nearly 2 months ago, I've tried phoning them and they always say within a week.

I've since got another builder to come out to do a quote, and again said he would do a quote within a week, that was 2 weeks ago.

Has anyone else had similar problems? Any advice? Do I just continue phoning up all the builders in the yellow pages and hope one of them eventually does a quote?

Thanks,
Dan.

Why don't you take a drive around locally and see if you stumble across any builders doing similar work

DanDerham

Yeah, might be a good idea. Not sure I'll have any more luck getting a quote though, just might get one which isn't in the yellow pages.

Dan.

DanDerham

Hi,

I've actually got a quote back, I would like to know if people think this is a fair price. The extension came in as £26000, this includes the following:

- Knocking down an existing 1.5m by 2.4m single storey bathroom.
- Building a 4.3m by 3m single storey extension (pitched roof).
- Dividing the current kitchen into 2 (ulility area and small toilet).

The price is for the basic room, a boiler and fitting the kitchen, toilet & tiles (excluding the actual kitchen, toilet & tiles items).

Was a fair bit higher than I was hoping for, does anyone have any idea if this is an acceptable price?

Thanks,
Dan

never_enough

Don't use him because he's the only one that gave you a quote. You need two more at least. I know it's a nightmare, but you really do need to stick it out. You could try knocking on doors if you see people have had work done. They may think you're bonkers, but if you get a builder out of it it's worth it.

jockettuk

who drew you plans up.. we asked the person who dealt with our plans (didnt need planning permission needed building regs approval) for a few names and he gave us 4 we doing a single extention like you and we just waiting now for the prices to come back..

misgrace

DanDerham wrote: »

I'm planning on having an single storey 4.2m by 3m kitchen extension done on my house (in north somerset) but I'm having a problem getting any quotes at all. So far I have:

Signed up to a 'find a trades man' website, which is suppose to find builders in your area. This resulted in one builder who phoned me to arrrange to come out to do a quote. He never turned up.

Next I went through yellow pages, after ringing a few I got 2 builders to come out to do quotes, both came within a week and said they would give me the quote within a week... that was nearly 2 months ago, I've tried phoning them and they always say within a week.

I've since got another builder to come out to do a quote, and again said he would do a quote within a week, that was 2 weeks ago.(quote)





Its not just you, unfortunately this is the usual practice, I have had to wait in the past for plumbers, kitchen fitters to come back with quotes.

Your price does seem a tad on the high side, as your not having much luck finding builders through the normal channels, have you tried going onto actual tradesmen message boards, and having a look through?
Some of these boards have rated tradesmen on there, it cant hurt, even if you can just get a few more quotes.

moneysavingwannabe

Hi,

We had lots of quotes. Ranging from £18,000 to £50,000 !!!!!

We are having an existing "coal shed/toilet" that is attached to the house knocked down.
An extension 5 and a half m by nearly 4m built with velux windows and french doors.
an internal wall knocked down and a chimney breast removed for £22,000 oh and a new floor fitted by them but paid for by us.

Most quotes were £20,000 to £26,000.

Hope this helps