MC quoting high for add-ons

[bmj1]

Hi team,

 

Looking for some practical advice:

 

• We're early in our build
• MC has started quoted for some extras, and these quotes are coming in very high

 

What are my options? E.g:

 

1. Try and negotiate: I.e. challenge MC on his pricing. This feels high risk so early in the project, and could backfire if it damages the working relationship
2. Advise MC that the costs are too high, but then what? Can I bring my own contractors on site at the same time as his team are on site - or is that a "no no" ?

 

I haven't hired a QS/project manager to represent me - but I'm beginning to see why this role exists.

 

I'm perfectly comfortable negotiating/sourcing quotes/etc (I do a lot of this in my 'white collar' day job), I'm just not sure the rules of the road when it comes to the client/MC relationship.

 

Any advice gratefully received !

 

Many thanks in advance

[saveasteading]

Ok as a main contractor that was scrupulously fair...

 

I didn't like extras. They are disruptive to the flow of the main works, and may distract key workers away from the key work.

Some workers charge/earn a lot more than others and need to be charged for accordingly.

The level of on-cost that a contractor needs to cover management, overhead, risk and some profit is high. It is usually concealed in an overall price but becomes apparent in small extra.

If extras make the job longer then the costs of management and site equipment go up too.

Extras have to be assessed and quoted for, and then are sometimes declined, in which case the contractor has expended costs for n reward.

 

Meanwhile, some contractors don't work that way and make their profits from extras, and I cant advise which applies here.

 

The best solution if anything seems high is to ask why, and if there are any more economical options.*

 

 

Getting another contractor in simultaneously can either work or be awful. The new one does not report to the old one, so it can be very messy when their works interfere with each other.

And whose job is health and safety?

 

Best of all, don't ask for extras.

 

* a very good client once asked during a progress meeting, for an additional door between rooms . I always liked to immediately give a cost guide to expedite a decision, so said it would be about £300 (years ago).

Client knew that doors could be obtained for £30....but not the other elements or work involved. 

Perhaps you are in this situation and the costs are actually reasonable.

 

QS would act as a intermediary. But perhaps you would be paying them to agree that the costs were fair.

 

 

[nod]

There will always be extras Especially at the beginning 

It would probably help if you listed some of the extras 

[SteamyTea]

1 hour ago, nod said:

There will always be extras Especially at the beginning 

It would probably help if you listed some of the extras 

Too true, some may just totally pointless.

[nod]

1 hour ago, SteamyTea said:

Too true, some may just totally pointless.

The problems at the beginning 

is Every time you bring in a truck of mot is 500 quid 

Same with muck away and concrete 

Costs soon rack up