Frustration/stress dump: Expensive builders

[Crackle]

When! Did builders become so expensive? I mean, I bought sensibly, knew what needed doing, had the money or so I thought. Two quotes later and I have to believe the evidence before my eyes that my building budget is just woefully wrong. All the other bits I got right but when I got the building quotes back I went through the full gamut of emotions from disbelief to despair.

Nothing for it now. We have moved to a diet of gruel and will be living in chic bare floorboarded rooms with ripped woodchip paper in nice primary colours. I have obtained begging bowls for the kids and identified prime positions for them in town. They can take it in turns to take the dog with them after we've taught him too look pitiful.


Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeesh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ravenz]

When! Did builders become so expensive?

sounds like your salaried as opposed to waged.. hence more likely to be upped on price..

 

[Tim Bennet.]

With the downturn in the housing market, you would also think firms would be falling over themselves to get work as well as being competitive on price.

Not a bit of it.

 

[Crackle]

sounds like your salaried as opposed to waged.. hence more likely to be upped on price..

I reckon it's when Mrs.Crackle makes expansive hand gestures. I have to take them to one side and explain the reality to them.

 

[fossyant]

Thought builders were hard up for work - it's certainly worked for my sisters extension, and that her neighbour is in the business (he's not had much work on so has been working on the extension - both having the same design done - semi's)

They've had builders etc clambering for business.....

 

[Crackle]

Thought builders were hard up for work - it's certainly worked for my sisters extension, and that her neighbour is in the business (he's not had much work on so has been working on the extension - both having the same design done - semi's)

They've had builders etc clambering for business.....

It seems not, or not yet. On everything else, kitchens, bathrooms etc... we've picked up quite significant bargains but the builders are holding out, electricians and plumbers are well busy. I think everyone is staying put and having work done, rather than sell.

 

[MacB]

we had new central heating done last year and quotes were indicating 1 weeks work and labour of approx £3k, I admit surprise when it was only one guy that did the work

 

[cheadle hulme]

Anyone in construction is pretty desperate at the moment. No need to pay 2007 prices.
If one won't play ball, get another to quote. Theres plenty of them about.

 

[redjedi]

I think there's a website where builders advertise there services i.e are actively looking for work rather than just a yellow pages type listing.

Not sure what it's called but as they are looking for work, you'll probably get better prices.

 

[snakehips]

I have always believed that the amount builders charged was counter-intuitive.
That is to say that they charge more when there is less work about because they have to make up for the time they spend idle between jobs.

 

[Crackle]

What I like is, I have two quotes now and a 3rd soon. Amazingly they all come in about the same but the itemised breakdown is completely different. Now if I could just pick items from each one.......

 

[MarkF]

I supply a construction related product and my sales are way up on normal, there is a lot of small work going on, extensions, dormers, garages etc

Builders don't get paid for vewing or preparing quotations, they don't win every job either, lot of a builders time is unpaid. Don't think you can divide your quotation cost by worked days and discover the builders salary

 

[snakehips]

What I like is, I have two quotes now and a 3rd soon. Amazingly they all come in about the same but the itemised breakdown is completely different.

Which basically indicates to me that they just make it up and charge what they feel like

 

[ChrisKH]

Which basically indicates to me that they just make it up and charge what they feel like

I think sometimes you are right. I have spoken to several tradesmen and if they don't like the look of the job, the customer (who can be complete b....) or their dog then they give way over the top estimates or quotes. More often than not they don't get the work (which they may not want any way), but if they do, they are well remunerated to compensate for the shoot job factor. A sure sign that demand outstrips supply even in this economic climate.

 

[sheddy]

However you proceed, DO make sure your builders come recommended by friends or family