anna Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Hi, Could you please advise how to compare builder's quotes? Maybe you could share an example quote with descriptions, stages etc . (not figures), please. I'd like to be sure they all include the same things. Are the quotes usually labor only or including materials? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 No two quotes will ever be the same unless it is for the supply of an item only. every site, access, timeframe, client, finish required etc etc are different. the secret is to being specific with your requirements and questions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anna Posted November 30, 2021 Author Share Posted November 30, 2021 I sent them detailed plans. I don't know how to compare their quotes. I'm looking for a template maybe with stages explained. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 4 minutes ago, anna said: I sent them detailed plans. I don't know how to compare their quotes. I'm looking for a template maybe with stages explained. Plans are open to interpretation, if you want to compare then a Bill of Quantities is required to enable all to quote based on the same amount of any item. also make a detailed explanation of what you are wanting them to quote on, level of finish, when the job will take place, where the site is, site conditions etc. even then you will get a wide range of prices back 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 38 minutes ago, anna said: ... I'm looking for a template maybe with stages explained. If there were such a thing, you'd find it on this site. We haven't got one because it's too complicated a job - they vary too much. Customers want to reduce risk, and builders know that. So they build in obscurity. So you build in specificity. So they build in their margin in more hidden ways. All you can do is follow the Due Diligence Process, and be as specific as you can. Its a messy uncomfortable process. Good luck. Ian 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 49 minutes ago, anna said: I'd like to be sure they all include the same things. The only way to be sure of that is to specify exactly what you want them to do, in terms of scope, materials, quality, etc., and for them to confirm that's what they've done. As Markc says, the only way to get a line-by-line comparison is to commission someone to prepare a Bill of Quantities for you, with accompanying drawings and specifications. Whether it's worth doing that depends on the value of the work and your attitude to risk, among other factors. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Depends on the size and scale of the job tbh. Check that they have included waste (skips), VAT, materials, any preliminaries such as site security and toilets, and have a look for any “price sum” for things such as kitchens or bathrooms. @anna what is the project ..? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anna Posted November 30, 2021 Author Share Posted November 30, 2021 It is a 4 bedroom bungalow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassanclan Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 Yes its a 4 bed bungalow, but the end specification can vary a lot. If you want an accurate price then you need to be detailing everything down to what sockets you want. E.g stainless £20, budget white plastic £2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted November 30, 2021 Share Posted November 30, 2021 get it QS'd first then you have a base point of cost, this will be usefull to builders as they can see exactly what they are pricing for down to the last nail and screw. https://www.estimators-online.com/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anna Posted November 30, 2021 Author Share Posted November 30, 2021 Thank you everyone. I will try to use your advice and compare the quotes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anna Posted December 1, 2021 Author Share Posted December 1, 2021 Morning. Could anybody send me an example of a quote you received from any builder please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordo Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 (edited) This is daft. majority of domestic schemes are a lump sum price with PC sums for items the client wants an input in like kitchens, bathroom, fireplace. The finishes will all be the most basic unless specified otherwise. If you don’t feel able to do this, you need professional advice or at least see examples of their past projects and use that as the basic standard. The cost of a bill of quantity would be disproportionate to the cost of the works so won’t be an option. You are heading into a world of pain if you get this wrong Edited December 1, 2021 by Gordo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 4 hours ago, anna said: Morning. Could anybody send me an example of a quote you received from any builder please? anna, send your drawings to get priced you have been given the links. No point any of us giving you an example quote as it wouldnt be of any use. to give you an example, your looking for a new ford mondeo. We give you a quote for a Bently. See its silly. Get your build priced, then get builders to quote based on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrerahill Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 On 30/11/2021 at 11:16, anna said: Hi, Could you please advise how to compare builder's quotes? Maybe you could share an example quote with descriptions, stages etc . (not figures), please. I'd like to be sure they all include the same things. Are the quotes usually labor only or including materials? Thank you You must submit the format you want the quote to come back on then in a clear and concise blank template. Have them fill the blanks basically. Quite often at the end of specifications and tender package documents on bigger projects there will be pages which show the quote layout, by doing this you are asking the builder to follow your format and submit in a way that suits you. However, this will likely make some smaller builders take one look at it and ignore it. The other option is you just sit down and extrapolate from them all the detail yourself into your own tables and charts to allow comparison. It is a bit like asking that 5 builders merchants all submit a quote in the same format and line by line standard. Not happening. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordo Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 What use is a breakdown of the costs other than to make sure the price isn’t loaded towards the early stage payments. You or someone is going to have to do some leg work and sit down and write a specification for everything above minimum standard and that that isn’t on the drawing. For example are you happy with bare plastered walls and softwood trims or are you thinking painted through out and oak framing and stairs and doors etc. Is there servicing the site, driveways, paths, landscaping, fencing etc to be included in price. please take my advise and pay an architect, building survey or quantity surveyor with experience in tendering domestic scale projects, to sit down with you and firm all this up in writing for a builder to prices to be comparable and to meet your expectations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 First of all don't panic because this looks so difficult. It isn't just you. This is difficult. Even as an experienced designer/manager/contractor I would find this difficult. Here are some thoughts. 1. you give this drawing to several contractors. Also have an extensive list of what products you want and what they are to include/leave out. Also a long list that they are providing fencing, toilets, huts, power and so on. This is a lot of work for any contractor. Some will have staff who price this, but they are not going to give you a free bill of quantities to show to their rivals. Therefore after much detailed work they will give you a brief summary. Meanwhile a hands-on builder calculates what he can, pays a qs to price some of it, and guesses the rest. If any of them have a great idea on better price or quality, how do they trust you not to tell the competition. thus it has to be a bit of a game of creating trust without giving away your own skills for nothing. Remember the contractor knows that they only have a one in 3? or 5? chance of getting the job, and it is onerous to price it for you. Be considerate and it will be noticed. 2. If cost is not a concern you engage a professional and tell them to get on with it. More likely you discuss a target price and they make the enquiry more precise. There will be a charge but they have more experience of assessing different quotes. BUT they may have their own prejudices/ opinions about using big/small contractors or people that will give them less hassle, and there will be a cost. 3. somewhere between, you get a bill of quantities done. All the contractors now have the same information. The risk of any errors is now yours. Even now, you will be amazed at the different quotations. creating a composite spreadsheet sounds like the answer, but it will show big discerpancies in certian items, depenging on the skills involved. then some will have cheaper prices throughout and big add-ons for overheads etc. This is very difficult to assess, but does provide you with some 'bottom line' comparisons, to which you can add guesses as to whatsome have ommitted. Never rule out anyone who is too cheap, as perhaps they are simply very good...or too dear because they may be the only ones to have done it properly. In summary this is difficult. Doing it all yourself is very risky and stressful but you might save some money. More likely you should use a professional to some extent. This is clearly not giving you an answer, because there isn't one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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