to think that builders dont seem to want work

[ThatVikRinA22]

im really amazed tbh, that every builder ive contacted to quote me for revamping my garden doesnt want the job. i thought there was a recession and that the building trade was going tits up?

ive got a 40ft long L shaped garden, i wanted a patio and turf. its a bit higgledy piggledy, and would probably take 3 days work one of them has said.

ive got roughly £1000 to spend on it, and no one wants it! ive had 3 builders out so far.

ive never built a patio before but am now thinking id better get my wellies on and have a go, ive got a quote online for the turf and it would cost me £290 inc delivery, so im thinking trade price would be less. patio would only cover a small part, so im thinking a bit of hardcore and sand/cement + slabs cant cost that much can it... so why doesnt anyone want my money? is it really that big a job?

am i expecting too much for a grand do you think?

After the costs of the materials are taken out you're probably looking at them getting £750 for the job for labour. The cost of building materials has risen steeply over the last year or so (my Dad just retired as a builders merchant) They've got the costs of their vehicle to consider plus wear and tear on tools and any large tools (cement mixer for example) that they might have to hire in. If you said you were looking at £200 per day for labour; it depends on how many of them would be there - but I have to say it doesn't sound like the most tempting offer, unless it would be one bloke on his own.

£290 is just for the turf.I don't know how big the patio you want is ,but the patio stones will likely cost several hundred as well.Do they need a skip ? there is another £200 gone and does your £1000 include the vat

agree, not worth their while.

Well I guess it's not enough money then. No builder would turn down a job if he needed work unless you were offering more than he could get elsewhere.

Wouldn't it be more of a landscaper's cup of tea ?

do landscapers drink builders tea or are they more earl grey?

there are companies that specialise in this sort of thing, you know the ones that stick little advertising posts in gardens and driveways they do.

So have the builders actually quoted you a price for it or have you just told them that you are only prepared to pay £1000 all in?