Can't find a brickie (Hampshire). Any suggestions?

[flanagaj]

I had our plans estimated and it gave me a figure for labour up to plate height.  So far, they have ranged from 10k over the estimators 20k figure, up to a staggering 45k over.  I really don't know how to proceed now as we have had 4 quotes so far.

It's a very simple brick and block rectangle, built using stretcher bond.

[G and J]

Sorry for the potentially numpty response, but assuming you mean first floor wall plate, for comparison.

 

55 linear metres in Suffolk to first floor height, ie just ground floor from below damp, brick plinth average 4 courses, then blocks, labour only 12.5k. Excellent work.

 

From your pictures, in previous posts, your brick work is going to be huge part of your overall design so may be "simple" but the quality required is going to be high...........was your estimate realistic, are your quotes labour only?

 

On the former we had a take off done, and they assumed pretty basic everything (apart from a contractors profit!)

[Mr Punter]

Keep going with the quotes. What did your estimator base their price on?

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

1 hour ago, flanagaj said:

I had our plans estimated and it gave me a figure for labour up to plate height.  So far, they have ranged from 10k over the estimators 20k figure, up to a staggering 45k over.  I really don't know how to proceed now as we have had 4 quotes so far.

It's a very simple brick and block rectangle, built using stretcher bond.

@flanagaj I can highly recommend Adam Chandler - https://chandlerhp.co.uk/services/house-builds/ (based in Basingstoke)

 

Best of luck, stay positive!

 

[flanagaj]

Here are the estimates that I received from Estimators.
Excavation & Foundations - 7 days (2GW + 1 Labourer)
Foundation Masonry - 5 days (2B + 1 Labourer)
Brickworks - 15 days (2B + 1 Labourer)

My theory is that if estimators can't be that far off when it comes to estimating costs for a build.

[crispy_wafer]

Do you think those labour rates are accurate for your region?  Materials are quite easy to cost up, but humans cost lots these days!

[flanagaj]

13 hours ago, crispy_wafer said:

Do you think those labour rates are accurate for your region?  Materials are quite easy to cost up, but humans cost lots these days!

They use local labour rates.  A brickie is not usually on more than £300/day. So I said 2 brickies and a labourer for 20 days at £800/day.  That still only equates to £16000 for 20 days work.  So the quotes of 30k, 42k and 60k are just a joke.  Anyone would think I was hiring a legal team. 

[Oz07]

What estimator did you use. 3 weeks sounds a bit quick to me but I've not seen or can't remember the plans or elevations. 

 

Whats your quantities or brick and block. If you were to allow maybe 75 pence a brick and 2 quid a block down your way does that get you somewhere in the ballpark? Very rough and im not sure of rates your way. 

 

With regards to getting some decent quotes try to get an introduction or reccomendation off other trades or previous customers. That way your not a cold calling random you're ringing them up saying I know X who's extension you built or I know X plumber who has worked with you guys says you do a decent job etc

[flanagaj]

5 minutes ago, Oz07 said:

What estimator did you use. 3 weeks sounds a bit quick to me but I've not seen or can't remember the plans or elevations. 

 

Whats your quantities or brick and block. If you were to allow maybe 75 pence a brick and 2 quid a block down your way does that get you somewhere in the ballpark? Very rough and im not sure of rates your way. 

 

With regards to getting some decent quotes try to get an introduction or reccomendation off other trades or previous customers. That way your not a cold calling random you're ringing them up saying I know X who's extension you built or I know X plumber who has worked with you guys says you do a decent job etc

Quotes are labour only and they have allowed 20 days for the job.  It's a straightforward rectangle build with gable ends, face brickwork on lower ground floor and then block upstairs.

The issue I have, is that if I just say "Oh well, let's just pay 10k more and get going", if that same thing happens for all trades, then I am in real trouble and we'll have to sell the house once it's built.

[G and J]

Our rate in East Anglia (likely to be cheaper) 900 per day 2+1.

 

Our 55 linear metres to first floor took 14 days, majority block and they were lightening quick. (This was also round a timber frame, so apart from garage not structural/load bearing).

 

We employed on day rate, they came recommended, if they had "qouted" they would have put some "saftey" in for time.

 

Our bricks Ibstock blues are nothing particularly special and they we just under 1 a brick to us (not list) and that was a good deal.

 

How many days do you quotes think it's going to take?

[Russell griffiths]

Show us a picture of the build, your times seam woefully low. 

[flanagaj]

3 hours ago, Russell griffiths said:

Show us a picture of the build, your times seam woefully low. 

 

White Lane Cattery 106b Elevations.pdf

[Oz07]

What are your labour figures for superstructure in that estimate?

400m2 blockwork around 8k

7k bricks around 5k

13k

Is that anywhere close?

[Oz07]

The 45k over price is a not interested price just forget them. Keep trying to find people you have a connection to. Building is quiet atm

[flanagaj]

6 minutes ago, Oz07 said:

What are your labour figures for superstructure in that estimate?

400m2 blockwork around 8k

7k bricks around 5k

13k

Is that anywhere close?

I have 

540m2 blocks
147m2 face brickwork

So my numbers are not far off yours, but your 13k is way under the estimators 20k labour figure.
 

[Oz07]

Ok I was only counting above dpc. Not sure on the rates down there. So you've got more like 9k bricks so around 7 grand plus 550m2 blockwork so around 11 grand. 18 grand plus a bit for extras lintels etc. 

 

At this point your best efforts are spent finding some trades people. Pop in merchants get prices for your gear, mention your looking for some brickies. Just get the word out. 

[Mr Punter]

30 minutes ago, Oz07 said:

Pop in merchants get prices for your gear, mention your looking for some brickies. Just get the word out. 

 

+1

 

Also look at any extensions going up.  Merchants can often recommend, even if it is the guy in the yard or a lorry driver.  Have a drive around and a chat.  It shows you are not a time waster.  Farmers often get brick and blockwork work done and they don't overpay.

 

[Russell griffiths]

I’m not sure i would be looking in the merchants 

you have a few things going on here

you had a post asking how to get a certain mortar colour, and this is mainly down to quality tradesmen 

getting the local Joe who slashes up an extension every week is not the man I would want. 
for a whole hose with multiple openings I would want a quality team. 
 

cheap n cheerful is not what i would want. 

[Mr Punter]

26 minutes ago, Russell griffiths said:

cheap n cheerful is not what i would want. 

 

Agreed but they are wanting to pull his pants down.  The elevations look simple enough.  No magic needed and it is well within the skills of any decent bricklayer.