Building Project Manager/Contractor

[Ian H]

Emu's are probably a bit above your skill level at the minute.

Your renovation must have helped though

 

[Idilka]

Emu's are probably a bit above your skill level at the minute.

Your renovation must have helped though

Yes, renovation did help (unlike Emu pictures in photoshop?). It gave me somewhat experience, e.g. negotiating price, writing a contract (a list of work to be done), paying at stages, hiring separate company for central heating, sourcing designer radiators (ebay), liaising with building control officer, architect, etc

 

[chappers]

However, it was only one builder (contractor) who did the complete work and they sub contracted where necessary.

That's really what you need again now, just make sure they have enough experience of building houses from the ground up and don't just do extensions etc.
You say there is around £40k difference in the quotes you have, but you don't say what the contract value is. 40k out of a million is nothing but 40k out of 200k would be more significant, also how robust are your tender documents, it's these documents and the level of detail they contain that ensure you receive like for like quotes.
As for becoming a building contractor you need experience of some sort it doesn't necessarily have to be hands on building experience but you need to know one end of a brick from another so to speak, otherwise how do you negotiate with sub contractors etc. you need to speak their language you need to understand if they are spinning you a line or again whether what they are quoting you is on a like for like basis.
As a client you will learn a fair amount from seeing the project from start to finish and there will be definite ways you can be involved, for example arranging services, general administration, sourcing bespoke items etc. But whether its enough for you to set up as a contractor is another matter.

 

[Idilka]

Thanks Chappers

Had a quote from another builder, 85k+vat. This is for a shell, site clearance, foundations, drainage, cavity walls (natural Yorkshire stone, block and insulation), slab ground floor, first floor joists, all internal walls, roof with concrete tiles and waist disposal. Basically, a watertight shell up to but not including first fix.

However, I'm really waiting for couple of other contractors. I've seen their build work, impressive, and also spoken to their clients, good feedback.

Both have built many houses. One contractot has built a row of houses but only quotes for Labour only. The other builder also has built many houses and only does a complete build, Labour and material. So I can't really compare the two builders like for like. However, both of them were recommended by the quarries that I visited for natural stone.

I know how much the natural stone costs about £50 per square meters (quotes from 3 different quarries). Two quarries to get back to me for a complete estimate of the build (140mm natural stone, cill, etc).

Basically, I have a rough idea of the cost of material but I'm trying to obtain more quotes from subcontractors. I will then compare the total cost of subcontractors if i manage with a quote of fu build contractors. Would definitely prefer to go with the one contractor unless their quote is ridiculously more than me project managing.

Does anyone have a contract (for a new build or a big extension) that I can use to compare against the list that I'm using for quotes?

 

[Dhjones]

Best thing to do is get a building firm in. To do the lot. Materials and labour. You will end up spending more on materials than quoted for. And if your not vat registered, I'm not sure how the zero vat would work for yourself for a new build. That small bit of DPM you need for said place, the builder probably has a part roll at his stores that normally will be used without mention, where as you'll be having to buy a £50 roll and then left with a near full/part roll yourself. These little things add up ridiculously quick.

Work closely with the company owner or the manager for the project. If you get on well, there's no end to what you could learn by just talking and watching and asking, and progressively get involved with the day to day tasks. PM isn't just ordering, it's problem solving. That 6" clay pipe running through the footings the excavators just clawed through and Mr & Mrs Smith next door had a curry the night before. It needs sorting quick. It's on the PM to think fast and organise.
Walk first, walk easier but faster later.

 

[chrispymill]

Hi
I have to say that judging from my current experience with a house build ourselves I would leave the main project managing to an architect or professional. Don't worry there will still be plenty of decisions for you to make but the main structural ones are really best left to the pros...good luck with it anyway.

 

[cjard]

an architect or professional

I like how you separated the wheat and the chaff there

 

[chrispymill]

Oops, an inadvertent slip there...although....