Removing a wall

[mnmnddddd]

Does anyone know the cost of removing a supporting wall?
It's about 5m and I've been quoted £12k, but what I've read online suggests a lot less. Is the builder taking the ...?

Surely you approached more than 1 builder for a quote?

At least 3 to get a better understanding. Does the quote include the RSJ and everything?

No one would be stupid enough to only get one quote ... unless they had a good reason. Bit my question was not about how to get quotes.

And, as mentioned, its a 5m supporting wall, so of course it needs a steel.

Wow that seems a lot. I've just opened a 4 metre opening as part of a much bigger extension and labour cost for the builder was around 1.5K, the 2 steel beams (one inner and one outer) were around £500, extra costs for building material for new pillars, pad stones, boarding and plastering, acrow prop hire etc, max 1K. You will also need engineering calculations. I would estimate around 3-3.5k but may be more if you live in the South.

So have you had three quotes of £12k?

12k is ridiculous unless they’re having to crane the steel in over the house or there are other complications like have to splice it and get it welded. Even so, it’s excessive.

I’d expect half that at the most.

It depends what it is having to support?

Also what the materials are that the builder needs to dispose of? Is there any asbestos? anything else you haven't mentioned. Listed building? Cost of making good afterwards? Difficult access as pp mentioned?

I think if you have three quotes and they are all about the same price, then at least one of them should have explained why it is so expensive.

@JollyMollyPolly @TheYadaYada Thanks. That's more what I was expecting.
@HarrietJet No. I had a good reason to only ask one builder at this stage.

@MintJulia It should all be pretty straight forward. Not listed, no likelihood of asbestos, very easy access, etc etc
The £12k includes making good the plaster, but nothing significantly more.

Builders can price what they want. So if they have plenty of work, and don't like the look of the job, they will give you a ridiculous quote to deter you from going with them, but on the off chance you do - at least they are making a pretty profit from it. Hence why you really need at least 3 quotes.

Same reason why when you renew car insurance some places will charge £300 and others £3000.

Lots of factors to consider, did you pay for the structural calculations to be done? The size and weight of steel per meter. Is there more than one. Location of where you live (you in congestion zone?) if access is easy to house to get steel to property, as previous person says is a crane needed, genie hoists hire etc etc. The builder knocking out for the steel to go in, acros. It does all end up adding up. Plus taking off the fact 20% is vat alone.