Internet Know How

Diesel for 2 weeks, few hundred quid max. no problem

The £1k is plus £100/each way delivery and pick up for the 20 tonne machine. For demo, its to take everything away yes. Id say the 7.5k to 10k to be about the right price, but upper levels of 21k is pushing for too much. Im just finding that with these types of jobs, people want 5-10k profit out of it at the end of the week...and even then they might be cleaning and selling on the brick etc. Im all for making profit....but not pricing myself out of a job

Hey Everyone, Been obtaining some prices to have a 4 bed detached property demolished. I am seeing some really wild prices from people and this is why you always need multiple quotes demolition: 7.5k - 21k for same house. One trying to bluff me he is only making £300/week over 3 weeks when I know it will only take the one week. Basement dig: I need someone for 2 weeks with maybe a 14 tonne machine max, and being quoted £7000. Quite ridiculous when I can hire a 20 tonne machine for £1k/week without a guy. Im sure I could then find a guy for £150-£200/day to work the machine no problem. Total saving: £3000 What are your thoughts on pricing jobs, or your own experiences of being priced by trades ? I feel sometimes people think it's the postcode lottery when they rock up, and most want to know where the property is before the quote....only one reason why. Heavy hitters are those doing surveys. Most want 4 figures just to turn up, and when it comes to the structural engineers, they all want £100/hour, but seem to price much more when its a really expensive house.

If I say its increased, its been because the house was always 400-650 depending on whether or not a basement was to be added. The house itself wont change size wise at around the 440sqm mark, but adding the basement takes it to the upper limit i mentioned. Sorry to confuse

only the party wall either side which is why I need to sheet pile.

main house floor footprint is about ground: 200 1st floor: 140 Top floor: 85 give or take a bit. Basement ads on another 200 or so I do have the SE costs to add on here though

Yes that always been included from the beginning

Ah right, ok. Just checked their fee proposal document and it does say they have full PI coverage

I have looked into this a little and warranty cover will specify what type of installation/tanking is required for the basement. The structural engineer will specify how to build the basement. Providing both are met, with inspection from either a warranty provider officer, or building inspector, I cant see how someone with a certificate means its been done property. Regular inspection plus pictures to support is the way to go. No certificate to install compares with receipts for the materials and visuals too. Saying that, maybe someone does need to come and sign it off. What I am trying to say is that too many paper pushers does not make a good installation.

why would he need the PI cover though?

The initial quote is priced on what I mentioned above so nothing will change at this point unless I go bigger ground levels upwards. I may have some adhoc visits to pay for and general guidance

Well yeah its about 420sqm plus basement, so we are up at near 650sqm overall of potential living/useable internal space. yes I am trying to build the biggest house possible for a plot. Anything can be done with time, patience, and plenty of £££

Great explanation, helped me get my head around my own basement plans. Appreciated!

Hi Robert, Thanks for your reply. This is the proposed shape, and if only it was a true rectangle it would help. I was reading the other day that under the warranty cover, I would be looking at following a certain type of waterproofing system. I noted type A,B,C with type C being the preferred method. This is 62 linear meters, sat on a 230sqm slab actually. Walls will be 2.8m high. Overall there will be 140m3 of concrete.

Hey, Any idea how much per linear meter I could be looking at to sheet pile? I have about 25-30 meters to do before digging out Thanks Chris

Yeah now I am more informed, thats to yourself and others here, I do feel like I am getting a good price for the service. I am at 650sqm now overall

ok thanks, its reassuring to hear others like yourself think this fee is reasonable. I didnt know what to expect from an Architects fee, so appreciate the time to reply to my thread.

Ok thats good to hear....and his cost is based on 4500 sqft plus basement of 200 sqm max. On the ground, its not that far from the beach, and all new builds in this area get piled for this reason. However, as I want a basement, a full basement slab with no piling would be sufficient. If I only go with a part basement, I would end up having to pile parts of the footprint, so it's just easier to go with the full raft. Based on the reply from my architect, maybe the council will add in pre-conditions so it looks like I may have to include one of these (Architect): I would suggest getting an infiltration test done so that a surface water drainage design can be done by an engineer - otherwise you will just be left having to go through a 6 week process to discharge a pre-commencement condition before you can do anything.

concept and developed are probably just their way of breaking down a huge cost. Technical design is filling out all the building regulations design forms basically and any other pre-requisite for building regs process

Yeah its a very large area isnt it!

Yea right up to height level on the build. I reckon its one of those things thats best to have

Thanks Peter. I didnt realise that I could not reclaim the VAT if I was renting it out. I need to review this in more detail. I guess VAT reclaim only works if I intend on living in it too and not selling it on straight away. To live in the property I would look to rent out my current residential. I guess it depends on how much VAT I would look to reclaim....which I guess would be less than £30,000 anyway. If my rent more than covers the build and profit, I am not as bothered about the VAT at that point. The 50k for the basement is probably light I agree as there is a lot of work involved here. A guy next to my dads is having a basement dug now so I will go in and ask him as they are doing a basement with pool and its some 700SQM build overall. https://www.estimators-online.com/ is one I will take a look at. Thanks for all your advice, its very much appreciated

Hey everyone, My Architect has proposed a fee for building a 420sqm house with an assumed build cost of £150/sqft. Whist I know I can build cheaper than that, I am wondering what your thoughts are on his design fees. I have had no other design estimates from anyone else. I have seen this firms plans and they are a reputable trustworthy provider. Initial Planning 1. Preparation Initial meetings, collation of brief, collation of background information and collation of existing site information. £500.00. 2. Concept Design Prepare scheme proposals in consultation with client and amend. £3,375.00 3. Developed Design Prepare CAD proposals for the site including:- • Liaise with client to agree design • Location Plan • Site Plan • Floor Plans • Elevations • Roof Plan • Design and Access Statement • 3D images • Co-ordinate consultants / reports Submit Full Planning Application £7,125.00 TOTAL: £11k + VAT Post Planning 4 Technical Design Technical design for Building Regulation application Pre-construction Planning Conditions. Liaise with other consultants. £10,500.00 5 Construction Preparation of construction information, co-ordination of other design information, issue of contract documents and site visits/ meetings during the construction phase to monitor progress and identify compliance with the contract documents. . £3,500.00 (dont think I need this as I am self managing the build, contractors and materials myself) 6 Handover Pre-occupation planning conditions and as built information. Allows for additional site visit. £500.00 TOTAL: £11k + VAT (not included item 5 above as not needed) FULL TOTAL: £22k + VAT (£26,400 all in)

I guess if you then say you are looking to purchase all the materials from them they will do that no problem