Fixed price build, prices gone up

[JoborPlay]

Fixed price build quoted for in early April and work started late April. Lots of delays - some legitimate, others not so much and none caused by us.

Builder now making noises that material prices have gone up massively and we think he's gearing up to ask for more money.

Where would you stand on this? Refuse or negotiate?

If it's relevant, we don't have any more!

It will depend what it says in your contract
Most do include a clause about material price increases
However if it had been started at an agreed price then I would have thought the original price should stand
If the latter is the case I wouldn't be surprised if the contractor walked away from the job, no one will work for free, and there are lots of jobs he could move on to
I think sitting down and working a resolution out is the way forward, even if it is reducing the spend in certain high cost areas such as kitchens and bathrooms

I was talking to a builder recently.
Same situation. His quote for the job we were discussing would have been 20% more if they’d been quoting now.
I’d be inclined to sit down and have a chat and maybe meet half way. You don’t want corners cut, you don’t want them walking off. You want it to be fair to all.

@JoborPlay they are all trying it on at the moment unfortunately... if your not in a rush, get as many quotes as you can.

they are all trying it on

Or small businesses trying to feed and clothe their families whilst prices of materials, labour, and fuel are sky high.

There’s a happy medium somewhere for everyone

I don't think they're trying it on. My DP is a builder and he took and absolute bath last year on a fixed price contract. It's not really fair on small businesses. He lost money building someone else their dream extension, which they are now Airbnbing for a fortune while we're struggling to find somewhere to rent. So he's now making it clear to all clients that the price will rise if material costs go up. I think prepare to negotiate.

We commission building projects at work and are seeing a 20% increase in costs compared to a couple of years ago.

My builder says all new jobs he is telling clients that material costs will have to be based on the market price when he buys them - he can't afford to absorb increases when his margins are already pretty tight.

[quote Champersandchocolate]@JoborPlay they are all trying it on at the moment unfortunately... if your not in a rush, get as many quotes as you can. [/quote]
I don't think they're trying it on, materials HAVE gone up massively and there's huge supply issue. Our kitchen has gone up about 12% and the lead time by 6 weeks.

When we got quotes they were all the same give or take £2500.

But anyway, they're already half way through the job.