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How long is too long


Makeitstop

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Hi all,

 

A simple question that I'm sure many will have an opinion on.......

 

How long would you expect to wait to receive quotes on a fairly simple single story extension?.... a week, a month, six months?

 

While I fully appreciate times are weird right now and most trades etc are utterly flat out......

 

How long is too long?

 

 

Edited by Makeitstop
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11 minutes ago, Makeitstop said:

Hi all,

 

A simple question that I'm sure many will have an opinion on.......

 

How long would you expect to wait to receive quotes on a fairly simple single story extension?.... a week, a month, six months?

 

While I fully appreciate times are weird right now and most trades etc are utterly flat out......

 

How long is too long?

 

 

Basically longer than you are prepared to wait. You can always pick up the phone and ask if there is any further information they required, however, when I get about 12 months ahead or booked up in the next spring for work requiring groundworks I think there is no point in quoting. Sorry. So many things will have changed by then material prices for a start and the client has probably gone elsewhere. What do you do spend your time pricing work for no pay or get on earning money for the work in front of you. I am only a small builder but that is how I work (except I usually discuss the situation - not always though). The only exception for me is repeat clients who I have a good working relationship with, and they with me. 

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I would speak to neighbours who have had work done to try and find a suitable team, although this is not always going to work. I assume you have given out the architects details and the specification and details of the site and access?

 

Another one I have used acting as a estimator for a large company trying to inspire subbies to quote was first to check they had all the information they needed, secondly 2 weeks later I would give them an out by checking up if they had the time to quote or if they were busy no problem but I only wanted to give the tender out to 3 companies so let me know if you are not going to quote because I don't want to waste your time and I can approach another builder. Of course on big jobs there was always the return date information sent with the documents. If its common work and materials than 1 month is enough to do the quote in, but if there is specialist works then 3 months upward.

What I would say is communication is paramount and the more clear, helpful information you supply the easier to quote. Limit / make choices about as many items as you can.

 

Best of luck

 

M

 

 

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