Our first quote

[A_Novice]

Hi

We have finally got a first quote in from a builder. (eye wateringly)

Quick question. How much detail should I expect on quote? The one I have (lots more to come hopefully) has list of around 20 items and then just a final price at the bottom.

The final price is high in my opinion but will soon see when other quotes arrive.

Thanks

edit - when i say items I don't mean Doors etc I mean "Construct first floor as per plan" etc

 

[Diyisfun]

So construct to plan, I assume the plan has details of the construction, ie materials/sizes.
He dosnt need to list what he will be doing if its already listed.
Just my thoughts

 

[bobasd]

On residential work we quote with the least amount of detail possible unless the owner is paying for a detailed quote.
If we suspect that the owner has a line-up of quoting builders then we specify up front that the quote is to be paid for in advance.
We work to your drawings or sub them to an Architect - try getting a freebe from an Architect or a RICS Surveyor.

 

[Notch7]

There is a limit to how much detail can be included in a quote.

For the most accurate quote, a schedule of works should be provided.

Sadly building works is never a fixed price and the final bill is never the same as the quote, unless a small job.

Some builders will quote high and include many things in the price, even items not listed, but required. Others builders may price lower, but the end bill will ramp up with extras. Your best way to know is recommendation and feedback.

It is impossible to specify every single detail of a sizeable extension, but the better organised the customer is, the more chance there will be minimal differences during the build.

 

[A_Novice]

On residential work we quote with the least amount of detail possible unless the owner is paying for a detailed quote.
If we suspect that the owner has a line-up of quoting builders then we specify up front that the quote is to be paid for in advance.
We work to your drawings or sub them to an Architect - try getting a freebe from an Architect or a RICS Surveyor.

Not sure if I am reading this correctly but are you saying you charge people for quotes?

 

[A_Novice]

There is a limit to how much detail can be included in a quote.

For the most accurate quote, a schedule of works should be provided.

Sadly building works is never a fixed price and the final bill is never the same as the quote, unless a small job.

Some builders will quote high and include many things in the price, even items not listed, but required. Others builders may price lower, but the end bill will ramp up with extras. Your best way to know is recommendation and feedback.

It is impossible to specify every single detail of a sizeable extension, but the better organised the customer is, the more chance there will be minimal differences during the build.

Thanks.

I have supplied the builders with the building regs plans as they have asked.some 35 pages!

I'll hopefully get a better idea soon once a few more quotes come in as to what the real price for this thing is.

 

[Leofric]

Can't see where it says what the job is ! You mention 35 pages - is that just building regs drawings or drawings and construction specification ?

 

[A_Novice]

Drawings and construction specification. To be fair it has been padded out a bit.

It's for an extension over garage 7m X 3.4m.

I was just curious how detailed quotes should be.

 

[Leofric]

When you receive the quotations check with the builder if you are not sure what they have allowed for. They should be able to give a fairly accurate quotation from building regs drawings and construction specification for a simple extension or state what was allowed for if details weren't specified.

 

[noseall]

I was just curious how detailed quotes should be.

A typical one of my quotes will include all the usual blurb i.e. - price to include: drains, foundations, scaffold, UPVC doors and windows.....blah, blah.
I sometimes include a 'specifics' page whereby I list certain items that require a wee bit more scrutiny such as garage doors, Juliet balconies, the installation of Posi-Joists (rather than regular fellas), the limit to how much each internal door is budgeted to, types of skirting board etc.