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Original poster

What to ask the builders coming to quote?

10 replies

HahaHarrie · 21/02/2015 10:15

My extension and renovation plans have been finished and approved and now it's time to get the builders around to quote. I have a long list of jobs that need doing. Any ideas how best to go about this so I can easily compare quotes?

What do I need to ask them that may not seem obvious to me now?

Any advice is much appreciated as this is all new to me!

OP posts:

123rd · 21/02/2015 11:11

Oh bump! I need the same info. Our architect did say he could
Come up with a template quote thingy...

Kieron79 · 21/02/2015 15:11

Having just gone through this process I would say its probs what you are thinking anyway,

make sure each quote is exactly like for like
are they VAT registered? We fit what looked like a reasonable quote until it was explained VAT was not added
when will they work? 8-4 seems the norm
do they work weekends? (We chose someone who doesn't as it will give us a but of normality on a weekend, apart from mess if course)
will they use a portaloo it your toilet?
timescales: beware of a builder who can start straight away (we have had to wait 4 months)

-payment terms : we are doing ours in 3 stages. Initial payment, then second once shell is up and final after sign off and we are happy

Hope this helps

Kieron79 · 21/02/2015 15:12

Apologies for atrocious grammatical/spelling errors, bloody iphone!!

Original poster

HahaHarrie · 21/02/2015 17:37

Thank you Kieron, that's very helpful.

123rd quote template sounds like a good plan. I do have a spreadsheet they could fill in...

OP posts:

MonkeySeeMonkeyDooo · 21/02/2015 18:14

Do they go off to do other jobs or will there always be someone on site.

Some builds take ages as the builders go off and do another and come back. Ours don't, our builder has enough people that there is always someone on site which means the job gets done quicker. Find out how available they are to start too.

Kieron79 · 21/02/2015 19:54

Ours will be starting a week in Monday and his rule is that he never leaves a job, though he is quite a small scale contractor. Speaking to people who have used contractors who go on multiple jobs have not been impressed as they did bit get the personal attention they wanted. My BIL used such a contractor for loft extension and found it difficult to get in contact when needed

AddToBasket · 21/02/2015 20:02

Ask for a programme of works along with the quote, and ask who will be on site. Specify that you expect someone to be on site Mon-Fri, 8-4.
Get them to quote for the works as drawn, ask for details of any electrical plates so you can see what they'll look like.
Ask what pictures of similar projects they have done.
Ask when they can start.

InsertUsernameHere · 21/02/2015 20:38

More important for me were the questions to ask the previous clients or people recommending them (a) how did the final cost compare with the quote (b) how did they cope with unexpected issues (c) did they finish on time (d) what was the building site like (especially if you are living through it) (e) were they pleasant (f) have they sorted out snagging (g) do they miss them?? We had excellent builders who came recommended - I imagine we could have got a cheaper quote - not sure it would have been cheaper in the end.
When the builders come round ask yourself if you think you will get on. If not it will be painful all round.

Original poster

HahaHarrie · 21/02/2015 23:19

Addtobasket what are electrical plates?! I just did a quick google but still none the wiser. And why would I need to know what they look like? (I told you I was green...). Thanks.

Also did you all have contracts with your builders? I've spoken to two people recently who didn't . That seemed like madness to me. One knew their builder well through other projects and the other not at all but had no problems that weren't quickly fixed. I've also heard some builders are reluctant to agree to penalty clauses for not finishing on time. Anyone had this issue?

OP posts:

Marmitelover55 · 21/02/2015 23:28

He/she probably meant electrical plans rather than plates. As part of our plans we had an electrical and plumbing layout included.

We didn't have a contract with our builder and all was well. He was recommended by a few friends - one of whom did have a contract. I would use this builder again in a heartbeat and do actually miss them all. I don't miss the dirt, dust and washing up in the bath though.

Our builder did stick to his quote apart from where we asked for changes. Variations were then done using an hourly/daily rate and this was a bit more expensive. So try to stick to your plans were possible.

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