SE London-porch quote 15k. (?!?!)

[May1984]

Hi All

Basically that.

3sqm (internal size) enclosed porch, brick and pvc in South East London. First quote today 15k. I'm gobsmacked. I was expecting something between 7.5k-10k absolutely max. Am I entirely off or are they mad? Please say the latter!!

Taaa

Bricks have gone from 80p each in 2021 to £1.86 now. Idk about windows.

Source: builder cousin in Kent, I asked him about a month ago when he said he charged 75k for a not that wide, two storey extension he had just finished.

Did you get more than one quote?

Oh that is helpful to know! Getting another quote next week! Fingers crossed!

Yeah, I really don't think he's taking the piss with his build prices; he doesn't live in an affluent part of Kent and wants to stay in business, so that extension was probs the bare bones he could charge and still make a profit to feed the wife and one kid.

Not only have building materials doubled in cost, but there's such a shortage of labour in the construction industry that the Government are currently considering giving special visas to 5 specialities within the trade (brickies, carpenters, I forget what else). We lost a lot of experienced people when we chucked hundreds of thousands out after Brexit.

E.g., it's bloody impossible to get a reliable plumber these days.

Husband is a builder in the south East, sounds about right for us. Costs in building are extortionate at the moment. Just told me he would charge 12k not including the door.

Thank you both! As much as I don't like the outcome I'm heartened to know that he wasn't taking the p.... we don't know anyone in the industry, which shows!

If you don't mind a follow up question, is their feel that the situation will improve in the next 6 months? Or only worse?

Thanks again!

You might see some price reductions once we start getting more skilled tradesmen back in the country, but nah, not within six months.

I think the prices are relatively stable now, at least in term of material costs. They are unlikely to rise but really unlikely to decrease due to shortage and rates of trademans.

There were reports recently that the rules are being relaxed to allow certain trades back in, but no idea how long that will take to bring prices down.

I put my build on hold as I just can't justify the massive increase, but we don't actually need to extend anyway, it would just be nice to.

I can't see prices continuing to increase drastically, they're so high currently people just won't be able to afford the work.

Thanks all.

I'm not sure what to do either. I was keen to take the bullet.. but then seeing 15k disappear in just the porch... wow.