BuyMaterials

[flanagaj]

Just for the record. I have absolutely no loyalty or association with BuyMaterials, but I thought I would give it a try recently to see whether I could get a better deal than I was getting from the local merchants.  Cut a long story short, I have already saved a pretty large chunk of cash.   For example

61 sheets of Caberdek P5 Eco - £9.10 / sheet
57 sheets of 18mm OSB3 - £17.24 / sheet

The only negative, is that having submitted a quote. they do tend to hassle a bit and ask whether you need anything ....

But all in all, I am impressed and if you get tired of trying to haggle with the local merchants, then you might find it useful.

[Square Feet]

Can you add what the local merchants had quoted you for comparison?

Also if both quotes include delivery etc.

Cheers

[flanagaj]

1 minute ago, Square Feet said:

Can you add what the local merchants had quoted you for comparison?

Also if both quotes include delivery etc.

Cheers

The quote I accepted was < £20 delivery and was nearly a £1000 cheaper than the next merchant quote.  It came from a reputable supplier on the South Coast.

The quote I received from the local merchant was as follows.

Caberdek £12.15
OSB3 £18.55

My aim with all material purchases, is to beat the price specified on my 'Estimators Online' QS.  Every time I do that, it hopefully helps in either bringing the build in cheaper or helping to offset those unnecessary costs that you incur along the way.  

Estimators had flooring at ~ £17 and OSB3 at ~ £27

[flanagaj]

I think if nothing else, it serves as a useful tool to validate quotes you receive from a local merchant to make sure that you are not being robbed.

[Oz07]

What did estimators online charge you for the take off

[flanagaj]

1 hour ago, Oz07 said:

What did estimators online charge you for the take off

Estimators charged ~ £300.  As far as I was concerned it was great value for money.  Just knowing up front how much everything would cost (materials, labour rates) really does ensure you don't go in blind.

 

The more detailed your drawings, the better, otherwise, they make assumptions.  Eg gas boiler, radiators upstairs..

[Oz07]

I've always done my own rough take offs but good to know how much they are. When will ai be able to do it. 

[JohnMo]

23 minutes ago, Oz07 said:

I've always done my own rough take offs but good to know how much they are. When will ai be able to do it. 

Now I suspect - but may take you as long to check it hasn't gone off on a tangent.