Detailed quote for building project?

tiny_tim57

Hello,

I’m currently looking at different quotes from builders for our house renovation project, which involves extend our bungalow by adding another floor and changing the downstairs layout.
For the different quotes I’ve been given there is a general breakdown of the costs for the different jobs included in the project, such as plumbing, wiring, plastering etc.

As this is a large project my wife thinks the builders should provide a more detailed breakdown of all of the materials included as well as labour costs, so we can accurately compare the quotes due to the costs involved.

Is this something builders will normally provide or even be willing to provide? I don’t know if builders will normally provide this level of detail, as the builders we are looking at are mostly small and medium local businesses.

I’m grateful to anyone who has advice on this, thanks.

Tom99

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Are you employing an architect or similar to design and oversee the work, have you provided an exact specification of the work to be done or are you relying on the builders to interpret your ideas into a specification? [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Re the contract itself there is some useful info here:[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-improving/building-contracts/[/FONT]

comeandgo

If you ask the builders for such detailed information, which would take them hours to prepare, I think they would surmise your wife is trouble and walk away from the job, if it's a large value contract, and it sounds as though it is, employ a knowledgeable person to oversee it.

tiny_tim57

Hello,

I originally had an architect for this project so planning permission has been granted and I have the architectural drawings in PDF format however I'm no longer able to reach the architect so no one else is able to oversee this project.

I don't have a detailed specification or building regs. So should I be looking for a new architect or someone else to oversee this project? I've been relying on the builders to interpret the information we have so far but I'm not sure what the best course of action is as I don't want to increase costs too much but of course I need some sense of security.

Tom99

tiny_tim57 wrote: »

Hello,

I originally had an architect for this project so planning permission has been granted and I have the architectural drawings in PDF format however I'm no longer able to reach the architect so no one else is able to oversee this project.
I don't have a detailed specification or building regs. So should I be looking for a new architect or someone else to oversee this project? I've been relying on the builders to interpret the information we have so far but I'm not sure what the best course of action is as I don't want to increase costs too much but of course I need some sense of security.

It sounds like the work is fairly substantial, adding a floor etc. You are taking a big risk if all you are doing is handing a builder a set of plans, without any detailed specification, and say 'build that for me'.

stillEuropean

I appreciate the problem as I've just received a building quote for replacing windows, guttering, skimming a lot of Artex, etc. and while there's a specific list of jobs to be covered, there's simply one figure at the end for the whole lot. I'd also like it broken down but since it took a couple of weeks to get it, that doesn't seem likely.
What Ive done in the past when this has happened is get a second and third quote where I supply the points (taken from the first quote) and ask for exactly the same work to be done, with figures attached to each job. This means I can compare like with like even if the entire job isn't broken out into the constituent details.

phill99

Your quotes will vary massively (probably over 100%) as you are allowing builders to effectively do their own specification.


This will end in tears, I can guarantee.


You need a specification drawn up with a bill of quantities. This will allow the builder to put in a price for each element. You will the be able to compare like with like as each builder is singing from the same hymn sheet.


If I was quoting for you without a spec, I would only give you a final cost. Detailed costings take ages to put together so I refuse to do them now as, ultimately, it doesn't change the price.