How many tenders for extension?

[ClaudiaNaughton]

We are doing a knock through and 4 metres out the back. Guy who did plans for lawful development is ready for tendering but will only do it for 3 builders and he says they are all stated on the tender. Is this usual? I wanted a few more. One is one he knows, the other two I know and want.

Yes, three is usual.

Remember that there is a lot of work involved for the builder in responding to a tender: only one can win, and the industry works on a sensible balance between competition and abortive time on unsuccessful bids

If everyone sought a dozen tenders for every small job, the overheads (which turn into costs that have to be paid for by everyone) would be enormous.

That is interesting. I think one of my builders is too busy so presumably if he doesn’t want to tender another one could.

I had 6 people come out and 5 people quote. 1 was ridiculous at £105,000 with no flooring/painting/kitchen etc. Another was reasonable but when I did some digging he had dissolved his company twice. One didn't address an issue on the plans (connecting the old steel to the new) and never responded when I queried it. I was left with two possibles and went with the one who we know has a great reputation in the area.

I wasn’t contemplating “dozens” but think 5-7 as some will not be interested.

Well, obviously it's appreciated that you want to ensure best value for money, but do please recognise that from the contractor's point of view, you're wasting their valuable time and resource.

And if your Architect/plans drawer is arranging the tendering process for you, he will be quite justifiable in charging you extra for the additional tenders.

Your pre-selection process should take account of the ones who are not interested.

Sorry to be so negative, but speaking as a professional (Director of an architectural practice), this sort of thing is partly to blame for the difficulties we have obtaining sensible quotes on domestic jobs, these days - contractors get pessimistic and either don't bother to respond, or throw in a ridiculously OTT quote worked out in seconds on the back of a fag packet, on the off-chance that they'll be quids in if they get the job.

Better to be thorough about your pre-selection process and make sure they know that they will be one of just three tenders, so that they have an incentive to sharpen their pencils.