Cost of domestic jobs is astronomical

Martin_the_Unjust

LV_426 said:

Another guy would not even give me a quote, until I'd got planning permission first!! I mean how stupid is that? 

Ah! I think I see why you are having problems 

LV_426

Martin_the_Unjust said:

LV_426 said:

Another guy would not even give me a quote, until I'd got planning permission first!! I mean how stupid is that? 

Ah! I think I see why you are having problems 

If you're implying that I'm being unreasonable, I disagree. Getting planning permission as a pre-requisite for a quote is something I've never had to do before. All previous domestic building projects have started with obtaining quotes from several builders. Then we proceeded to formal planning application. I don't see anything wrong with this process.

Apodemus

LV_426 said:

stuart45 said:

If someone doesn't need, or really want the job, then a really high price can change their mind.

Another guy would not even give me a quote...

Should be fairly easy to estimate...

These are two different things! 

I would imagine that the builder who wanted to see Planning Permission was looking for evidence that you were really serious about the project and that this was more than just a whim.  Possibly also in case Planning insisted on changes that meant that the quote had to be redone with an increase in costs.   That may be unreasonable on his part, but I suspect they will also have come across unreasonable clients.

LV_426

Apodemus said:

LV_426 said:

stuart45 said:

If someone doesn't need, or really want the job, then a really high price can change their mind.

Another guy would not even give me a quote...

Should be fairly easy to estimate...

These are two different things! 

I would imagine that the builder who wanted to see Planning Permission was looking for evidence that you were really serious about the project and that this was more than just a whim.  Possibly also in case Planning insisted on changes that meant that the quote had to be redone with an increase in costs.   That may be unreasonable on his part, but I suspect they will also have come across unreasonable clients.

All part of the job. I'm not unreasonable btw But as I understand how things have always worked, most tradesmen offer 'free' quotations. And of course nothing is free, so that time will be absorbed into the total cost of the job. And as with all tenders, customers are at liberty to obtain many of them. Only one organisation can be awarded the job. 
That's business I'm afraid, some you win, some you lose.
I really think it's a silly expectation to ask the customer to get planning permission before quote. Never seen anything like this before.

Martin_the_Unjust

Google will give you a rough idea of the costs and I don’t think anyone can give you a more accurate idea without proper approved plans.

I would say you are coming across as being a bit unreasonable and quality trades will not want to know (or wack in a huge quote)

(A double garage will cost shy of 30k depending on where in the country you are)

LV_426

Martin_the_Unjust said:

Google will give you a rough idea of the costs and I don’t think anyone can give you a more accurate idea without proper approved plans.

I would say you are coming across as being a bit unreasonable and quality trades will not want to know (or wack in a huge quote)

(A double garage will cost shy of 30k depending on where in the country you are)

Well having plans, and planning permission are two different things. Asking for planning permission to be approved before quoting is an unreasonable thing to ask.
If you're saying I now have to go to builders with local authority approval, that really surprises me. And not something I've had to do in any of the domestic building projects I've previously done.

FreeBear

LV_426 said:

Martin_the_Unjust said:

Google will give you a rough idea of the costs and I don’t think anyone can give you a more accurate idea without proper approved plans.

I would say you are coming across as being a bit unreasonable and quality trades will not want to know (or wack in a huge quote)

(A double garage will cost shy of 30k depending on where in the country you are)

Well having plans, and planning permission are two different things. Asking for planning permission to be approved before quoting is an unreasonable thing to ask.

Unless you are in a conservation area, national park, or have a listed building, sheds & garages usually fall within permitted development (unless these have been removed). As long as the location and size of the structure fall within prescribed limits, planning permission is not required. Depending on the size, Building Control oversight may be required, but this would be separate to planning.

TELLIT01

Quote/estimate before seeking Planning Permission or Planning Permission before they will give a quote is a real Catch 22.  Until you have an idea of cost and whether the cost is viable, there is no point going for planning permission.  If the builder won't quote without planning permission.....

I was speaking to a friend today who has been trying to get an estimate for a dormer window.  She has contacted 8 builders, all of whom have said they will get back to her, and not one of them has.  She has money set aside for the work but they aren't even speaking to her.  I know good builders are busy, but she doesn't want this doing until next year so would seem to be an ideal job for them.

LV_426

FreeBear said:

LV_426 said:

Martin_the_Unjust said:

Google will give you a rough idea of the costs and I don’t think anyone can give you a more accurate idea without proper approved plans.

I would say you are coming across as being a bit unreasonable and quality trades will not want to know (or wack in a huge quote)

(A double garage will cost shy of 30k depending on where in the country you are)

Well having plans, and planning permission are two different things. Asking for planning permission to be approved before quoting is an unreasonable thing to ask.

Unless you are in a conservation area, national park, or have a listed building, sheds & garages usually fall within permitted development (unless these have been removed). As long as the location and size of the structure fall within prescribed limits, planning permission is not required. Depending on the size, Building Control oversight may be required, but this would be separate to planning.

Generally you're right about garages. But in my case it's located between the house front, and the public highway. I've looked at the government permitted planning regulations, and I'm almost certain that I'm not allowed to build it here. There's a local authority service to check it for me, but that costs money. And in the event that they rule I do need planning permission, then that's extra cost.
But like I say, having looked at the permitted building areas within domestic boundaries, my proposed garage location falls outside it. 
Put it this way, I'm not going to spend many thousands building a garage there, for the council to then say, nope can't do that - pull it down.

LV_426

TELLIT01 said:

Quote/estimate before seeking Planning Permission or Planning Permission before they will give a quote is a real Catch 22.  Until you have an idea of cost and whether the cost is viable, there is no point going for planning permission.  If the builder won't quote without planning permission.....

I was speaking to a friend today who has been trying to get an estimate for a dormer window.  She has contacted 8 builders, all of whom have said they will get back to her, and not one of them has.  She has money set aside for the work but they aren't even speaking to her.  I know good builders are busy, but she doesn't want this doing until next year so would seem to be an ideal job for them.

Yes, this is my issue - a catch 22. I really want to know how much money we're talking about to build the garage, before I go down the planning application route. If it's going to be £30k, as suggested above, it's a non-starter.

And very interesting that your friend is getting the same kind of attitude. Thought it was just this area, but seems like a general thing.