Are builders currently in high demand?

[sarahb083]

Hi, we're in the initial planning stages of an extension. Does anyone know if there's lots of demand for builders right now due to an increase in people doing extensions/building works? If so, what sort of timelines have you been quoted for builders being able to start work?

Good ones are always in demand and as planning restrictions have been lifted companies doing extensions are probably in even higher demand than usual.

I'm in London though so that might not be the case for the entire country!

Not just London! It seems nearly every house in my neighbourhood is being extended or renovated (ours included) so yes good builders are always in demand. You should worry more if someone isn't in demand. it usually shows they're not very good

Certainly they're in huge demand where I am.
Our builder worked on one job for us and I think it'll be after Christmas before he can do the next one.
We've had to book other trades in piecemeal.

Apparently lots of folk are getting new bathrooms/kitchens instead of getting a holiday.
Who spends that much on a holiday, I don't know.

My builder can't start our work until January at least.

We were told by one of the builders we approached back in Feb that he'd happily quote but won't be able to fit us in until 2021. 10 months wait!
Others are similarly busy.
As pp said, I'd feel more confident waiting for a popular builder than trust one that can start immediately.

Our builder is amazing - his company did our loft conversion two years ago. We’re now hoping to do a single storey kitchen extension in the next few months and have already got him to pencil us in as he has such a long waiting list. We may be waiting until next May (!) but we wouldn’t use anyone else. In contrast, a friend had an extension at around the time we had our loft done and the builder she used was available within a couple of weeks. And turned out to be crap. The good ones are definitely worth waiting for!

Here in the SW every decent builder is snowed under.

NE here and our builder says he’s turning work away left right and centre. We booked him in about 4-5 months ago. I’d start getting in touch with people now

We are 10 weeks into our build (2 storey back and side extension)
We booked him last year to start April then lockdown happened, we ended up started in July.
He’s now fully booked for the whole of 2021!

I’m having my bathroom redone. I called the plumber in July and he quoted but the earliest he could fit us in was November. Booked him anyway because he is good!

I'm in Ireland and yes every decent builder has more than enough work to keep them going for a long time. It seems to be the same everywhere. Even getting quotes for anything related to home improvement is difficult as everyone is so busy

We have been doing an extension since February. It has been a complete nightmare. Although our main contractor has been good it has been hard tying down the various subcontractors - electricans, plasterers, tilers, decorators etc and as a result everything has dragged and costs have risen. We have now been without a kitchen for 4 months.

I would also advise any starting now to consider the potential supply chain impacts caused by a hard brexit in January.

I have heard a lot of builders from EU went back to their home countries worried about Covid travel restrictions.

NW here - H and I working from home and desperate for an office. Started getting quotes for a single storey extension about a month ago. 3 quotes, all builders we've used before / have come recommended. We're booked in now with work to provisionally start next June (so about 9-10 month wait).

My husband is in the building trade. He’s turned down three perfectly good jobs this week as he couldn’t fit them in until next July. It’s the busiest he’s every been in 24 years in the trade.

Yep. Adding my voice to all the other PPs. I'm looking new building work plus internal renovations and Spring 2021 is being mentioned to start work. 🌹

My builder was telling me he had a full workbook into 2022. NE England

DH, who is not a builder, can see his order book though for six months ahead. In 25 years of trading, this is the farthest forward he has been able to plan.