is it reasonable to ask for a quote breakdown........?

F_Bear

from regularly reading the site, and espically the DIY forum, it seems asking trademan for a breakdown of their quote is a contentious issue.

ive recently had some quotes for a garden fence, off my mate, and asked for a breakdown which he gave me no problem. but looking on here many trademen wouldnt bother.

why is this? and what do people think?

andyhop

All depends on the tradesman, I personally give a detailed quote listing materials and labour separately so customers can fully compare , a lot of my friends who are in similar trades just give a all in one price

Doozergirl

It's contentious? A breakdown of what is being done for the money or an itemised shopping list with prices next to each item?

I would be happy to provide a quotation that details exactly what we plan to do and what the total price is.

I'm not that happy breaking down each item and a price because, from experience, people treat it as a kind of shopping list that they choose from. They knock items off, which affects the overall quality, the price goes down, but then everything creeps back on during a build as a list of what the trade calls "could you just", where small items are added, thinking that labour is free.

A lot of things are linked, so I may use one item or person across two or more 'jobs' which would be more expensive as individual items.

There can also be little items that do cost money that we don't price in to the penny because we can't, so it takes from our margin on the job as a whole.

We're also at the point now where we're learning that if a customer supplies a part of the job because they think they can get it cheaper, it inevitably involves the expectation that we will take responsibility for managing it during a job and then take responsibility for the quality of it afterwards - meaning we pay. Having learned that lesson, we will now supply everything ourselves using people/items that are tried, tested and where we also have some guarantees from providers.

This all sounds a bit cynical now, but it's through the trial and error of trusting people and being walked over. Each time it happens, you tighten your processes and procedures. This is such a difficult area.

As far as wanting a customer to be clear on what they are getting for their money, I'm happy to provide as detailed a breakdown as I can; the price isn't pulled from thin air - some builders do that! If we spend enough time interpreting a client's needs, the price should be the right one for them when it's produced.

stebiz

I don't think it's unreasonable. A lot of builders use it to hide high hourly rates of pay. Years ago a rough guide used to be 50% labour and 50% materials. But now builders salaries are pushing it up to 70% labour and 30% materials.

I have just spent over 50k on a large refurb/extension on my house. I asked the builders what they wanted. Anything they needed at all I provided. Skips etc. I sourced at the very cheapest price, without compromising on quality and had it delivered to site. That way I could keep an eye on what I paid them for wages.

Most worked out at approx £100 - £150 a day. A few jokers who priced for labour and materials worked out at £300 a day. Dream on.

rustyboy21

I will give a breakdown, but not give manufacturers names or models chosen. That way it saves me issues having to price match when consumer gets on the internet. The consumer does not know the brands until they have paid for them and getting fitted.


Can see why some won't do it though, consumers are savvy now and trawl the internet trying to get it cheaper, when they have done the hard work working out what is needed. There is also the fact as Doozergirl has said, you always end up with the phrase ' can you just' and they expect it done free, or supplied free. There has to be some margin in a job, otherwise you may as well shut up shop now.

southcoastrgi

to remove existing fence
to supply & install new 6' close board / panelled fence x meters long
to coat new fence with 1/2 coats of water proofing treatment (colour to suit customer)
to remove all waste from site

total cost £££

now if you are happy with the price compaired to your other quotes why do you need to know a materials/labour breakdown

do you go into tesco & say to the manager i want to know on that tin of beans how much were the beans, tin can, cost to produce the item & how much you paid someone to do it ?
no you just buy the tin if you like the price, the amounts mean nothing