If you’ve ever had an extension, did the price go up just before the work started, like two weeks before the work started

[LovelyYellowLabrador]

So extenstiondue to being in a fortnight
all
plans in place

allmprofeesikanl fees paid like architect and surveyor etc

anyway just had noticfication form the builder that die to costa rising the price of the build has gone up 10 percent

and we can either accept this or get a refund on our builders deposit

obv we have already sunk costs on professional fees

what I would like to know is it this common to happen at such short notice a fortnight before the work is due to start ?

it shouldn't be common, but at the moment I'm not surprised given how much some things have gone up unexpectedly.
You can't expect the builder to work for no profit.

We’ve just had this with tiling and plastering - the material costs have increased.

I do get prices are going through the roof
but what I’m not sure is waiting until 2 weeks before it starts to drop this on us and I’m wondering is that common practice to leave it so late

Our builder tried this about 8 years ago when we had loft extension done. All architects/survey plans already paid. We rang a couple more builders and got quotes using same plans. Got one to do it for original quote. Cancelled builder who had inflated the price after we had signed contract. Second builder did a good job and we recommend him to 2 friends wanting similar work done.

No. But our extension was 10 years ago.

We had our back garden reflagged last year. We were quoted for his work but were told to buy the paving stones ourselves. Prices have been going up a lot (DH does a lot of research in the area). Much more than predicted which isn't your builder's fault.

Our work finished earlier this year. We knew the builders were very busy and waited 12 months between paying our deposit and work starting. They were very clear about this from the start though.

About 6 months into our wait, they contacted us and highlighted the increases in cost of materials. This wasn't a surprise as we'd been reading about it in the news anyway. They explained they would need to pass this on to us but that this wouldn't result in any extra profit for them.

Just before our start date, they contacted us again with the confirmed costs. It added about an extra 7% on to our build. Fortunately we had a small buffer so it didn't cause an issue for us.

better that than mid way through as ours have done...

My partner is a builder and does extentions. This a common theme at the moment, not sure when you got quoted the job. but if your builder has gone to buy the materials because he's about to start the job and the prices have gone up of course you will be given a new quote with a new price. Material prices have changed drastically at the moment. If the builder doesn't change the cost of job he won't be getting no profit and running at a loss. Although he should of stipulated on the first quote that it's subject to change.

Thanks for all the advice
I was just shocked at the lateness of it all

@LovelyYellowLabrador be prepared for other stuff to rocket in price as you go through the build, depending on supply chain issues. Last year for us it was internal doors and chipboard (couldn’t get them anywhere)

we had a buffer and ran through it - we also paid more for stuff in the end to get stuff done due to delays -ie paid for quick drying floor screed so we could get our kitchen done in time (as original flooring was late etc)

Cost (and availability) of materials is now so unpredictable that even nationwide builders merchants won't honour materials quotes any longer than 30 days.