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Original poster

Insane builders quote for renovation

16 replies

LillyLeaf · 26/06/2022 10:04

It's more than double our budget that the architect was working towards. I did think I might be more than our budget with all the rising costs, but not more than double! I don't even know where to start with it. Our house wouldn't be worth what we paid for it plus this reno cost. We're still waiting for another quote to compare but it looks like we'll have to massively rethink the design.

Anyone else in the same situation?

OP posts:
Iwanttenofthose · 26/06/2022 10:09

Did they seem like they really want the work? Most the builders I know are really busy and can pick and choose jobs, so they quote really high for the jobs they're not so keen on.

Did you get multiple quotes?

Iwanttenofthose · 26/06/2022 10:09

Sorry just re-read and saw you're waiting for another quote

prepared101 · 26/06/2022 10:09

Yes, we were quoted £45k around three years ago for a detached garage and outbuilding plus some landscaping.

Had the construction drawings made up and was required £62k about 18 months ago. Thought they were taking the piss so didn't start it.

We're now at the point that work has to start due to planning and latest quotes are coming in at c.£80k.

Same as you, it would add around £50k of value to property- we don't plan to move so this wasn't a motivator for us but we can't afford the £80k so we're just having footings dug for now Envy

Testina · 26/06/2022 10:11

Do you need for the cost to be directly added to the value? When I had my loft converted, I wanted the room - obviously it was a bonus if it increased the value of the house, but my primary objective was that space.

statetrooperstacey · 26/06/2022 10:14

It doesn’t surprise me, plasterboard used to be £6 a sheet , it’s now £14 , if that’s indicative of most building supplies then I think probably the quote is not as outrageous as it seems. I suppose your choices are to wait and if prices come back down or scale back your plans. Sorry op it’s shit . Or Can you pay for the structural work and do any other work yourselves? How long are you wanting to stay in your house?

Ariela · 26/06/2022 10:19

Has your architect over-engineered your extension? My best friend had plans drawn up for a first floor (it's a bungalow) but the architect repeatedly ignored her request for only one en suite - on the basis there's not many of them to be forever cleaning loos and they've got 2 already, and that they didn't want to change the downstairs layout other than take out the smallest room for the stairs. and extend the kitchen at the back.
Took their ideas to another architect who listened, and halved the build cost.

Original poster
LillyLeaf · 26/06/2022 10:20

Yeah he really seemed keen on the job. We got on really well with him. He does come highly recommended and our architect has worked with him before which is great.

I guess right now it wouldn't matter if the reno doesn't add enough value as we don't intend to more but if for some reason we needed to move asap I would at least want to reno money back in the house value.

If we change the design would we need to go back to planning for approval again?

It's such a shame, I was so excited about it. We're good at DIY so we were planning on doing a lot ourselves, but need builders to do the building bits.

OP posts:
Shehasadiamondinthesky · 26/06/2022 10:21

Some of them really take the piss, when I was renovating various houses I had quotes from £20,000 (reasonable) to £100,000 (ridiculous) for a basic 2 bed house.
Get loads of quotes.

mobear · 26/06/2022 10:24

I think a lot of renovations at the moment won’t add value because of the rising cost
of building work, but if you’re in it long term (and can afford it) I’d go for it anyway. This is what we’re about to do. Could you do the garage and wait for the other work? I think for the pp you normally have to begin work within three years (unless otherwise stated).

Loveabitofwood · 26/06/2022 10:25

There’s a big thread on this subject I read recently but I can’t find the link to it.

It seems a lot of people have had similar issues with the architect designing something way out of the budget given.

Original poster
LillyLeaf · 26/06/2022 10:27

The architect did what we wanted and always seemed aware of the budget.

We will be staying for a good while I think.

I think we need more quotes. 2 of the builders wouldn't give quotes as they were booked up until the end of 2023! So we're only going to have 2 to compare. I'll look for more builders.

Has anyone managed to negotiate costs with the builder or is their quote final? I'm new to this so not sure how it works.

OP posts:
iknowimcoming · 26/06/2022 10:29

Talk to the builder and see if he can suggest any ways to save money, as pp said architects don't always design with costs in mind, and there may be simple tweaks that can save you cash, also ask if there's any stuff you could do yourselves in the quote

JolieJ · 26/06/2022 10:30

Yep it's ridiculous right now. I had to get almost 10 quotes and finally out of desperation started asking friends. One of them recommended her builders, they were able to come down by a bit and we agreed on a full rounded figure for all the build work at 100K. I had gotten quotes for upto £180 so this was a massive improvement. It's still a lot for a single story extension renovation though, it doesn't include costs of kitchen glazing and other fixtures and fittings Sad

Loveabitofwood · 26/06/2022 10:34

If you can wait until next year, you might not find that the price of materials have gone down but this building boom has to end at some point.

With the cost of living increases and interest rates rising I think there’ll come a point where a lot of builders become much quieter than they are now and may be willing to negotiate. I doubt that you’ll find many who will at the moment and I’d also be wary of anyone who says they can start asap, good ones will always be booked up.

There are also a lot of unscrupulous people taking advantage at the moment. A family member is a kitchen designer and he’s been out to clients who have asked him to meet their builders and these “builders” are people he knew as tilers two years ago but have taken advantage of peoples desperation and are now doing knock through and all sorts with no building experience.

We got burnt with this recently as had a tiler who could start way quicker than anyone else. Turns out he was not a tiler and we had to kick him off the job and now have shit finishing in one room which upsets me every time I go in there. It could’ve been much worse if it was a “builder” putting a steel in or something.

Goinggreymammy · 20/04/2024 20:30

@LillyLeaf I know this is a really old thread but what happened with your extension in the end? I am sort of in the same boat at the moment. We have been quoted construction costs that are as much as the value of our house fir badly needed upgrading to heating etc, kitchen/dining extension and attic conversion. Started planning this with architect thus time last year, gave clear budget, but the 3 quotes are just going higher and higher, almost double the budget. Got last quote today. I feel so disheartened. I grew up in an awful house that I never could invite friends to and I just want a comfortable family home that is normal, with space to live and put our stuff, and an extra bathroom (we have 1, there's 5 of us). I am holding back tears all day as it looks like the costs are just too high and I will have to make do with odd jobs here and there, maybe a small simple kitchen break-through.
Would love to hear what you did in the end.

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