Dilemma - Builder - Extension...

[Koolpc]

Why?

Give it a shot. Nothing to lose, if, that is what you want to do....

 

[Koolpc]

Why should he knock any money off?

I guess it depends if he really needs the work or not....

 

[tony1851]

If you're stuck in a bind and you have to go back to the disappointed builder with your tail between your legs, how can you expect hm to knock money off?
If anything, he'd put more on, or say he's now too busy.

 

[John Smith Esq.]

Why should he knock any money off?

I'm not saying he should. It is a question I would ask to determine if I can afford to instruct him instead. I got the impression there could be some room for negotiation as he asked what I am paying the builder I chose and if he is VAT registered. He can't beat the other guy on VAT, but he might be able to knock a couple of grand off, help out in some other ways then I just pay the difference and get him to do it instead.

 

[John Smith Esq.]

If you're stuck in a bind and you have to go back to the disappointed builder with your tail between your legs, how can you expect hm to knock money off?
If anything, he'd put more on, or say he's now too busy.

It was literally two days ago that I gave him the response. Annoyingly because I then found out about the health problem of the other the next day. I would have to plan my approach well, but if he was disappointed not to get the job two days ago, what's changed since then? His quote is about 5K higher than the other guy's (excluding VAT) so there probably is some room for manoeuvre. Maybe pay some cash or whatever. That would be up to him.

 

[John Smith Esq.]

Plus, there are some savings I can make. He has factored in 2500 for electrics but I already know I can get that done for 1600 by a certified professional.

 

[johnny2007]

Is the vat registered builder 5k or 15k more expensive?
If it's 5k, just go for it.
Don't tell him about the other builder's health problem, not his business.
Just tell him that you thought about it all a bit longer and changed your mind.
You could also say that you want to go with him but can't afford it and see how much he can knock off.
Personally my quotes have always been fixed, no discount for anyone.
I've always though that dropping a price would mean bodge something or use cheaper material.

 

[Notch7]

The guy I am using is somebody I know. He is a one man band but very good and experienced. The price is decent, especially as he is not VAT registered.

if he is not VAT registered then he must be getting customers to pay for materials and subbies

your 24sq metre extension is proba £50k and thats one job......... the VAT threshold is £90k so it obv doesnt add up.

but am now wondering if he could do without the stress of doing this project.

I doubt if stress is the issue, if he is a one man band he is probably a builder that is also a tradesman and works on the tools whilst he is running the job -usually such people come from a bricklaying or carpentry background.

What part of the job will he be doing himself?

He has responded to say that his health will be uncertain in the coming months but he still has his mind set on doing my project and that he doesn't want me getting another builder last minute who might make a hash of it. He said he will take it steady at first and might get a second pair of hands to help him with the donkey work.

As above, it really depends what part of the work he would actually be doing.

I find it strange that he says he might "get a second pair of hands" as virtually all builders Ive known have 1 or 2 guys working with them anyway -usually a fairly skilled labourer / improver. An extension is too much for one person to do at any pace


The bigger question is whether he has plenty of contacts and can keep the job running if he is laid up



The thing is that builders are really project managers -the real skill is having great contacts and getting the tradies on site when they are needed.......if he can do that then he can probably keep the job running well

 

[Notch7]

Plus, there are some savings I can make. He has factored in 2500 for electrics but I already know I can get that done for 1600 by a certified professional.

Your builder wont drop the price by £2500 if you decide to take the electrics off
your builder will still need to project manage the electrician, he cant do that for free

If you project manage that element, it could go belly up and could end up costing you more not less

To be honest £1600 sounds pretty cheap, I was paying that 6 years ago for electrics in a typical orangery (4skts, 10 downlighters, 1 x outside light, 2 x automatic opening vent connections)

the thing is your builder will have an electrician he uses all the time, he can get what he done, when he wants it done, he has leverage as he gives the guy loads of work............he cant do that with your guy

 

[John Smith Esq.]

Is the vat registered builder 5k or 15k more expensive?
If it's 5k, just go for it.
Don't tell him about the other builder's health problem, not his business.
Just tell him that you thought about it all a bit longer and changed your mind.
You could also say that you want to go with him but can't afford it and see how much he can knock off.
Personally my quotes have always been fixed, no discount for anyone.
I've always though that dropping a price would mean bodge something or use cheaper material.

Yes, that's good advice and how I would approach the call.

The only thing is, he is 15K more expensive because of the VAT. Actually more than that. Maybe 17K. But the principal quote is more like 5K difference.

So it's a hefty difference.

I've had further communication from the original builder with health problem. I've laboured the point somewhat that I will understand if he can't do it and even suggested it might be for the best for both of us to avoid problems later. I also said I can find somebody else. He has now clearly stated that he thinks it will be fine, that scans have found no clots and that he would still like to do the job if that's ok with me. Said his leg is an infection.

If I just take this information at face value, I ought to really let him do it and just hope to god no problems come up during the project. We did agree it a couple of months ago so changing now would be harsh. He is a really good guy, trustworthy, skilled and the price is sensible.

So it looks like I'll stick with Plan A and keep my fingers crossed. He does payments in the normal, staged way after the work has been done so there's some comfort on that front.

Notch, he is a bricky first and foremost who can do it all. Drainage, foundations, masonry, roof, plastering. Only plumber and electrician needed otherwise, and he has somebody to do windows. He would be spending about 12 weeks on it. The good thing with somebody like him, if they are competent, is that there won't be any dodgy contractors showing up. He is responsible for it all and literally does it all. In terms of VAT, he is mainly working as a subby for others doing various things and probably a lot of smaller cash jobs. This type of project, which he is managing, isn't typical although he is capable of it. So I think VAT side is probably sound and, besides, not my concern.

 

[noseall]

Plus, there are some savings I can make. He has factored in 2500 for electrics but I already know I can get that done for 1600 by a certified professional.

£1'600 won't buy you a pi$$ pot.

I think I might need to go back to the other guy and see if he is willing to discuss knocking some money off