New kitchen quote query

queenbee4000

I had a quote to redo my kitchen, knock through to my dining room and put up a small utility area in the kitchen. I trusted the builder and I liked him. My friend also had her kitchen done and suggested I also get a quote from her builder who is a friend of hers. I had them both round and the second builder didn’t get back to me for a while so in the meantime I accepted the first quote. The second guy has now got back to me and it’s about £7k cheaper than the first guy! I emailed the first guy to ask for a break down of the costs - I am yet to hear back but I’m conscious I have verbally agreed it (to start in 3-4 months). What would others do in my situation? I don’t want to let the first guy down or for him to be angry as I did accept it but it is a massive price difference and I can’t understand how that can be. Any thoughts/ advice gratefully received.

Bigphil1474

Don't waste £7k because you are afraid to upset a builder. They will be used to it. Just get in touch with them and explain the situation.

Obviously check that both quotes are like for like. If you are knocking down a wall, you need to know what it is holding up (or not) and  how will removing it affect the rest of the house. If one hasn't factored that in, then that could be a difference. Are the kitchens the same standard? Does it include electricals? Could be a few reasons for the difference.

queenbee4000

Bigphil1474 said:

Don't waste £7k because you are afraid to upset a builder. They will be used to it. Just get in touch with them and explain the situation.

Obviously check that both quotes are like for like. If you are knocking down a wall, you need to know what it is holding up (or not) and  how will removing it affect the rest of the house. If one hasn't factored that in, then that could be a difference. Are the kitchens the same standard? Does it include electricals? Could be a few reasons for the difference.

Thank you that has made me feel better that I am not being unreasonable having accepted the first quote - electricals are separate anyway and the only thing I can see the first guy has included is the cost of buying the 2 radiators and the painting and tiling but he has now replied and said he would send a breakdown later which will be helpful. Thanks for your response 

Doozergirl

Has your second builder included a breakdown?  

Have both mentioned the need for a structural engineer and building regulations approval? 

How much are the total quotes?

bluelad1927

Are both charging VAT? That could a big chunk of it

FreeBear

Doozergirl said: Have both mentioned the need for a structural engineer and building regulations approval?

^^^^ This ^^^^

Even if the wall is stud & plasterboard (or even lath & plaster), it can be structural - You need the opinion of a qualified structural engineer to make that determination. Builders are not qualified to make that call.

Should it be a structural wall, Building Control will need calculations for any supports put in - Depending on the span and loads involved, it could be a big (read expensive) bit of steel. Builder A may have factored in the costs of a S.E., BC, and steel whilst builder B could just be winging it.

Risteard

Really the time to have asked for a breakdown was before you accepted. Regardless of the other points, I would consider this to be a massive red flag. Nor should there be an expectation that everyone will quote the same price.

queenbee4000

Yes a structural engineer is doing the calculations and they have based it on the feedback from the engineer. Building regs will be needed too which both have mentioned and the VAT is factored in. Builder B has estimated £2.5k on the steel support and the breakdown will tell me what builder A has quoted for that. I appreciate I should have asked for the breakdown first which is why I am hesitant to make a fuss but also as it was such a massive price difference it threw me as I knew it would be different but not by that much. Builder A has been fine when I questioned and mentioned my other quote being different and said he would send a breakdown so that will help, just very awkward and I’m conscious of not annoying either of them as I ultimately want the job done well!

the_rach

Sounds like Builder B was very slow coming back with a quote? That'd be a red flag for me, do they really want the job? How reliable are they? That said 7k is a big chunk to be concerned about. I recently chose to work with a builder who quoted 10k higher than another (a much bigger job it was basically a whole house reno). He was 3 weeks quicker, higher spec kitchen and appliances included and so much better at communicating though, it was worth it to me.