Etiquette asking builders for estimates?

[cakehoover123]

We've had an offer accepted, the survey has come back saying work is needed with some vague estimates, and now we need to get a clearer idea of costs.

It's a big job - roof replacement, joist replacements, re-plastering, rewire, etc.

I feel it's fair to pay the builders for their time on the estimates, as we can't guarantee any work at this point. But how much would you expect to pay - couple of hours for the viewing, half-day, day?

And how many builders would you think it was reasonable to ask for estimates, given that the EA has to open up the house for each one?

Also, I think I just need an estimate not a quote at this stage - would you agree?

Sounds quite a big project, we haven’t paid for estimates in the past, what sort of budget do you have for the works? We have just renovated a very small cottage, rewired, replastered, garden tidy up inc re doing shingle, tiny new kitchen, replaced shower room, repainted inside & out (DH did this) just over £20k, that is without a new roof or joists. All building materials/paint/tiles etc have soared in price, so make sure you have a healthy contingency, quite often other things are found whilst you renovate. Good luck.

Wouldn’t expect to pay for an estimate - also if you accept and go with them ensure the estimate changes to what you will actually pay and if there are any contingencies etc so you know where you are

If you're prepared to spend money on estimates (which, IMO should be free), I'd actually spend the money on engaging a surveyor to write up a decent specification of works for them to estimate against. That way you have the same document that they're tendering against and you know you're getting like-for-like quotes - with no hidden surprises, hopefully

Oh interesting, thanks all. Yes we are wondering whether to go ahead, given all the recent cost increases.

It is a big house with a long list of works 😬 We have a healthy, but not unlimited budget. The uncertainty is the scary part. @Roselilly36 sounds like you've done an amazing job there!

Am a bit loath to pay the surveyor more given that he's already had over £1k off us, but @LBOCS2 that's good advice about making a clear list - will do that.

And yep if/when we commission will definitely ask for detailed quotes not estimates!

I was wondering about paying for estimates basically because we can't commission work yet and the whole thing may well fall through. But that's interesting that most people would expect to get estimates for free.

I'd get a different surveyor to draw up the spec of works. You're paying for different things here, one is a building survey which points out the potential pitfalls related to this specific house, one is an actual project for costing (and should include the minutiae of what you need, down to the brand and RAL of the paint you want to use!).

It's reasonable that you might not want to pay for this before you complete on the purchase and get reasonable guesstimates in the meantime, but I'd definitely recommend it before you start the works otherwise you could find yourself relying on not-very-specific estimates for work.

I wouldn't expect to pay for an estimate.

@LBOCS2 v helpful, thank you!

I'd expect the estimates to be free - builders know this is part of the cost of doing business. But I wouldn't go overboard with the number of builders I approached. 3 is the minimum, I'd suggest, and also hopefully not to disruptive for the vendor. But when you come to commission the work I think it would be reasonable to approach more - I approached 6 for an initial discussion and then got detailed quotes from 4.

Three builders will hopefully give you a feeling of an average price. If you feel the house is for you and some of the works were unexpected (and especially if pushing your budget) then it's not unreasonable to go back to vendor and try and re-negotiate the price.

Thank you! I will try three builders. Fingers crossed the estimates are not too terrifying. 😬