Hecateh

He quoted me an alternative tarmac driveway at only £1000 less. which seemed wrong to me as tarmac has to be down before the resin anyway. Albeit a thinner layer maybe That's already gone Skylight is staying - Already put the framing in the roof joists for it and it is bought. I asked that question and yes it does. However may go up as having now measured the windows I have found that aprat from the 2 1200 x 100s they are all different sizes despite all being the same size on the plans. Not too late to change the plumbing - nothing has been done on that front apart from a couple of soil pipes My thoughts were to skip the ensuite initially and just have the entry level bathroom - ensuite to be fitted later

I don't think he knows the answer to all this. He went with the spec to his pumber and then came back to me with a quote. I am not having him do the work. I'll get my own plumber, who I am 'allowed' to talk to and get a price that details this. I sent the details and plans to 'the underfloor heating store and got a price for all materials except the ground floor screed at under 3k. This included the layout, which was not the optimal circular one, when I raised this with him he said that it wasn't an issue in such a small area. Not sure what the crack is with the boiler. I think he's already got one for some reason as, even if he isn't fitting the heating he wants to supply the boiler. I'm not happy with that and need to discuss it further with him.

Totally understand this. Fully his argument too and I do have sympathy with it. Prior to me giving him the quote, he had estimated an approx price of £75k to £85k. He then quoted 89k. As someone for whom this is a one and only, that seemed to have taken into account the only things not mentioned in his original estimate (electrics and fitting of customer supplied bathrooms and kitchen) We both - the builder and I, thought it was a quote to build a house. At the time the building regs spec came in we should have sat down, gone through it and agreed what wasn't on the quote and what was needed to get what we both wanted. Unfortunately. at this time. the SE specified foundations solid enough for a 4 storey hotel. This distracted us all from the rest of the quote. My son is an architect technician and spoke with the SE who said that he had taken a worse case scenario because he did not know the builder except that he was young and inexperienced in full builds (fair amount of experience in extensions however). At this time the builder was regularly reassuring me that he knew what he was doing and that I didn't have to worry about anything, it was all under control. Legally, I fully accept responsibility. What I am objecting to is that - many things were discussed in the early stages of the build. We discussed how the floors were to be, where the walls were to be, the tanking of the lower ground, the staircase (Specifically, 'I can get it cheaper but that's not how I work'), The downstairs loo. My son helped him work out the best way of meeting the SE requirements and at a later stage, but luckily not too late, that the underfloor space in the entry level was not ventilated, and he was able to add some telescopic vents (not as many as specified n the plans but probably enough). Variations were added, 13k for extra foundations, About 1k for some ground works and hardstanding, and 3k for a pumped sewer system as we were unable to connect downstream. Nothing was mentioned about any other additional costs. Fast forward through all the bad weather. I became increasingly worried about the amount of work left to do against the rapidly decreasing budget. He, I believe, should have been aware of this but until I drew his attention, was not. After drawing his attention to it, he looked through everything and decided that he has done a lot of work that wasn't in the quote, which he wanted to charge me for (despite there being a clause that, except in an emergency prices should be agree in writing for any additional work - or at least agreed verbally and confirmed in writing) and there was a lot of work to do that wasn't quoted for. 45k worth. All along, he knew my budget, and that I needed a house at or close to at least, the amount he had quoted. When I complained about the lads spending an hour and half on 'break' in the morning, he said that was his business and nothing to do with me(worked out that the from 9.30 to 10 they couldn't work because of the rain but their break didn't start until 10.) I am not 'allowed' to talk to the lads except in general pleasantries and certainly not allowed to complain when 8 times out of 10 (for one particular guy) I look out the window and see him on his phone or just stood chatting. When the lads spent 3 hours in the morning sat in their van with the engine running cos it was raining and then going home half an hour before the sun comes out. Despite the fact that the weather was doing exactly as predicted; on at least 2 occasions. Even then I still wanted to work with him, I was prepared to pay for what hadn't been quoted for BUT his prices then come in at way above what they should be. Wanting to charge me 8.5k for glazing (I got a quote for £4.2), 1.8k for rainwater goods when materials are around £600 and scaffolding is already there etc etc. It appears he is loading prices to cover expenses in the past. Bearing in mind his initial estimation, which was for 75 - 85k, I think a final price of 150k is taking advantage. This is his business, he assured me he is professional and fair. This is a one off for me. I put my trust in him. Damn right I feel shafted I was warned not to go with him because of his inexperience. He assured me he knew what he was doing. His inexperience has cost me. 1500 per sqm is fine if agreed up front. It isn't fair to complete most of the shell without any hint that the price quoted is going up by another 50% of the the first estimate (that's excluding the extra for foundations and sewage pump)

Nope - telling building control will be a last resort. Just wanted to know before I bring it up.

No, unfortunately, Until now I was happy to just let him get on with it. He's very particular with anything that can be seen but not fussy if it's hidden it seems

Is it something that building control would be interested in I think I need to call him anyway to let him know that I am taking over project management

Yay Def a few beers -

Is it hard wearing enough for a turning point. Won't be heavily used though. What did you use as a base? And how much was it per sqm, if you don't mind sharing that is.

Is this acceptable. The stuff that goes on top to bridge the gap was in place but not screwed in. so I pulled it out and had a look. Every window is like this, with bits missing

Looks like all of it The parking/manoeuvring facilities, indicated on the submitted plan, shall be surfaced in a solid bound material (i.e. not loose chippings) and made available for the manoeuvring and parking of motor vehicles prior to the development being brought into use, and shall be retained for that sole purpose at all times. Reason: To ensure that satisfactory off-street parking/manoeuvring areas are provided, in the interests of highway safety and the free flow of traffic and in accordance with Core Strategy Policy CSP 26, New Development and Highway Improvement.

I'm not intending giving him any more of the work once the roof is on. I am looking to get quotes from others. I am as sure as I can be he has weighted these - As has been said earlier. I'm paying/have paid for his learning curve. He's still trying to make money out of me despite having dropped me in the doodah. Even if I end up paying the same as he has quoted for some things I would rather give the work to someone else. Yes - the driveway is part of the planning. I've just been down to physically measure and see if and how it can be designed to be useful with the least possible area. Got some interesting pics too

A bit more detail Windows £8,134.00 4 windows 1200 x 1200, 3 @ 630 x 1200. 2 doors uPVC, 1 slider 2.7 x 2100 and french door with side panel 1700 x 2100. This quote was for composite doors and bifold patio doors. I've got a quote for £4200 Plastering £4,000.00 studding, plaster board and plastering to internal perimeter walls Electrics £2,100.00 All - very detailed quote down to number of sockets, etc UFH £7,630.00 wet to entry and lower ground foor, electric to upper floor, including self leveling screeding to lower ground and self levelling compound to entry and upper Studwork frames £3,112.00 all internal walls, as shown on plans, and suspended ceiling to entry level Doors, architraves, skirting £5,742.00 8 internal doors. Including furniture I think he allowed £100 per door that I was going to try and reduce. Skirting similar to shown on plans but entry level bathroom changed size framework for soffit, fascias, soffits, downpipes £1,860.00 established that this is way over the top. Materials come to £560. He has included the tile trim as well I think and that should be part of roof. Talking to him about that tomorrow Retaining wall detail, flagged steps £3,765.00 Retaining wall is about a metre and needs a return along the hedge as well. Wondering if that could be reduced by putting a slope in. Driveway, including turning point, in bound gravel £10,000.00 The drive comes in at about 80 sq metre and has to be a solid permeable finish. Did wonder about leaving it as sub base initially. Alternatively just main drive in solid with loose to ends. Just not allowed it near road ..

Thanks very much for your thoughts - they look very scary to me too Plenty of time. These are the things that I am not having done. I thought the UFH was too high too. 5 doors and all cheap white stuff. I wanted pocket doors but need to go cheaper where I can. Not allowed pea gravel - has to be solid and semi permeable Obviously the weather this year has caused a lot of problems. There is also one worker - who I think is his best mate, doesn't appear to me to be pulling his weight. He can work and what he does is good. However, 9 times out of 10 when I look out the window he is lounging around doing nothing or on his phone. I suspect he has inflated his prices to cover the losses he made, paying them to sit around doing nothing when the weather was bad. I said something about the length of breaks they were taking and got told, way back before any of this erupted, that it was none of my business it was his problem. House footprint is just over 8sm I've uploaded the planning reg plans High Croft Bungalow b regs-007E.pdf High Croft Bungalow b regs-005M.pdf High Croft Bungalow b regs-003M.pdf

This is the breakdown of work still to be done Windows £8,134.00 Plastering £4,000.00 Electrics £2,100.00 UFH £7,630.00 Studwork frames £3,112.00 Doors, architraves, skirting £5,742.00 framework for soffit, fascias, soffits,downpipes £1,860.00 Retaining wall detail, flagged steps £3,765.00 Driveway, including turning point, in bound gravel £10,000.00 I've got the windows down to £4200 - if I can get a similar reduction on everything else, it would be great but I don't think that is going to happen.

brilliant metaphor can I share it?

I suspect I know what he has done. I think his quote includes for scaffolding which is already there and I have already paid for.

I have only got my normal house insurance. As main contractor it was his responsibility to insure the site fully, including me when I am on site - but I don't think that means working on site. I have a copy of his insurane

Well if he does I'm dead!

I hope not! I do want the house watertight. Pretty sure he's not - He's not one for reading and he hates the internet except where he has to use it.

Thanks so much Peter He charges me 150 per person per day as far as I can tell. So that comes to £860 all in so another grand saved.

Right - I've (kind of) pulled myself together and I have got the beginnings of a plan. Needs a ot more detail, a lot more planning BUT I CAN AND I WILL Bare bones Get property watertight and put project on hold Get this house sale ready - not a huge amount to do, just a couple of room to decorate, guttering to clean and some trim missing in bathroom Get this house sold House sit for a friend - or stay with her more likely - she has a house in France and is away from June to September, whilst I get the new house ready.

Yep, Front to back the house is 4.8m and the porch is 1.4m

He is a good builder and the brick work and roof are his trades - All the corners and everywhere there has been something other than straight bricking, he does the first one himself and tells the lads exactly how he wants it doing. And, being fair to him, the attention to detail has been just as good this week with everything going on as it has been all along.

. I don't think doing it myself is an option really. Insurance is one aspect. Currently the site comes under his insurance. I don't think that covers me doing work and my balance is not as good as it used to be. Site insurance is on the list to sort out for when he's gone BB is doing the work himself. I think I've got a discussion coming with him on this. If something is needed to do the roof then surely it is part of the roof and should be included. If I don't get anywhere with that - then he definitely needs to bring his price down Can you tell me where I can source prices for what I need - everything - down to the last nail please.

Boiler is included - but nothing else on the plumbing fitting it is only included if they get the rest of the plumbing as an extra.