Quoted waaaay more than expected for extension

[TweeterandtheMonkeyman]

Think I got over excited with the architect and the builders quote has come back much much higher than expected- anything obvious that you did to bring the price of a similar project down ? (It’s a single story extension across the back of a 1930s 3 bed semi detached) . At this moment I’m thinking to write off the money already spent with architect and scrap the whole idea …

Builders are still trying maintain huge profit margins on jobs and there cannot be a correction until their work seriously dries up and they adjust these. This isn't likely any time soon in Londongrad.

I had a quotation last March - due to various issues they were unable to do the project until now. While they are honouring the labour costs of the original quotation, the materials costs have increased so much that they cannot do it without upping the quotation price. This across all three services (plumbing, electrical, building). I can suck up the cost by paring and I've just moved to a job that pays more but it will hurt more than originally planned.

How much % of this estimate is for the kitchen? Have you looked at IKEA kitchens? Have they priced out materials separate from labour? I suppose there is 20% VAT and 15% for the architect.

@GingerFoxInAT0phat

I don’t think the price of materials will go back down to what they was previously.

It's not just the price of materials. It's Brexit ... loads of talented workers in the construction industry left the country due to the inhospitable climate. As a result, there's a shortage of decent builders so they can charge more.

I work in construction and due to covid, brexit and just general high demand on labour, we’ve seen costs per square metre for residential projects now almost double what they were a year and a half ago. It’s the worst time for clients to build at the moment, you won’t be the only person in this situation.

Steel has gone through the roof, so if your going for bi-fold doors or similar, there will be a lot of cost in the steelwork and installation. Cost of structural engineer too to decide sizes of steels to take the load. Materials costs have shot through the roof. We work in the steel trade and our labour costs have stayed the same, but material costs have to be passed on to customer.
Where people have spent years altering their homes, I think it will go back towards people moving instead.

The problem with using an architect is that they come up with lovely things that are very expensive to build. There have been loads of threads on here. They seem incapable of working to a budget.

@Calist not if you are clear and up front to them what your budget is and lower your expectations

As above, steel costs are through the roof, and the price of timber went up about 40% at the back end of last year and isn't likely to settle for at least 18 months. I'd put this on ice for now, sorry OP

@Shadappayourface

I work in construction. Labour shortage, material shortage, material costs and high demand are all contributing to ridiculous costs and long delays.

Honestly for anyone considering any work atm just wait a year or two if you can.

This ^

We’ve just been quoted £40k for internal works.

Initially we had thought works would be £40k all in (we’ve paid for kitchen separately new windows tiles etc). £40 is just for the builder. Although we’ve got 6 other quotes and it’s around the same amount.

Materials have shot up. And a few forms here have gone out of business so shortage in trades.

[quote TweeterandtheMonkeyman]@LemonMuffins yes we were warned about the costs being very high at the moment.

I know people who have used these builders and I have seen their work so am keen to use them . I need to think about getting more quotes then .

£87k (including vat)

I was thinking more like £50k!!

That is with them doing everything , taking away old conservatory and fitting flooring and kitchen.

There isn’t a full price breakdown so I can’t see which bits are more/less expensive.[/quote]
Have they given you a quote or an estimate?

You need to ask them for a full quote with a breakdown, and then you can see where the greatest costs are.

Again, I’m really glad I started this thread . Just spoke to a friend who’s partner is in trade , and he has said the same as a lot of you - costs are extremely high at the moment.

And to the PP’s in defence of architects - yes I agree, he has been a drop in the ocean compared to the 87k !!

We’ve been having a chat and basically this isn’t going to happen - we are in a lucky position to have some spare cash to put towards some work … but no where near that price & we don’t want to go into massive debt. However, we do have a plan B , need to speak to the builders again.

When thinking again also look at the value and extra usage of the space...
We trimmed some our plans , rejigged space slightly, spent time searching for stuff and had a diy kitchen with laminate top rather than stone etc ....and remortgaged for some of the additional funds needed..and even though in theory didn't add massive value as mo extra bedroom (only statiscal guarantee of extra value) it made a massive improvement to the usability/saleability of the house...

It transformed our use of the house... admittedly we had a lot of equity in the house for the remortgage and interest rates are lowish...really consider what will give the most improvement/lifetime value if you can!

And I'm prp architect as well especially at the beginning ideas stage