Why is it important to get more than one building quote?
Once you have a project in mind for your home and you need a trustworthy builder to help with the construction, it is always common practice to get at least three quotes before choosing a builder. To ensure that the quotes are worth comparing, make sure you have described the project exactly the same to the different builders so that they all quote for a similar job, this way you can compare any extras that they might be offering (e.g. including sourcing the cement or clearing away building rubble).
Getting more than one building quote gives you an idea on the current market for the labour and price of building materials as well as allows you to make an informed choice on who to go with so as the project proceeds you do not feel resentful wondering if you have been taken advantage of. As our home is our sanctuary it also gives you the opportunity to choose the builder you felt the most comfortable with and meeting with different builders you get a sense of who is tidy and more organised.
Don’t be despondent if your quote for a small job doesn’t come in as cheap as you would have expected. Small jobs can seem more expensive as there is less labour time to swallow up the call out fee, so if you have a few small jobs in mind, it is better and cheaper to wait until you can lump them into one project as you will pay less overall.
What should I make sure my builder quote includes?
Before you start ringing around for quotes, the first step is to have a detailed idea in mind for what job you would like completed, e.g. rather than just knock down a kitchen wall for an open plan kitchen, have a detailed think about the job - do you want the entire wall taken away or just an entrance arch created? Is it a structural wall that will need a beam put in place to hold the load? Are there any electrics or plumbing in the wall that will need to be rerouted? Does the wall offer any fire safety? Is there a choice of walls where removing one might offer more light into the new open plan room?
Once you have in mind a detailed version of the job needing doing, then you have a better understanding of what the quote needs to entail, e.g. for the kitchen wall removal, will the builder add a load bearing beam, reroute the plumbing, smooth and plaster where the wall was been removed, add extra lighting if needed, include a skip to remove the building rubble, how many people will the builder bring in to your home and how many days will they work, will they paint after leaving a finished open plan kitchen?
When studying the quotes sent on to you from different builders, check to see if the quotes have included VAT and what materials they will provide and which you need to source. If they are supplying all of the materials, ask if the quote has included a mark-up fee for their time or could you source the materials to keep the costs low. When builders come out to quote, they might ask you what your budget is, this is because they do want to work within your budget and may make suggestions on how to keep the project affordable for you.
As well as receiving a quote, ask for their availability as there is no point being happy with a quote only to then find the builder is booked up a year in advance!
Is a verbal quote enough or should I request having my quote emailed?
Having building work in your home is stressful enough without needing to add to the mix any disagreements with the builder so be sure before you agree to any work starting, to have them email you (or post) a quote so you have in writing what work has been agreed on and at what price. The builders quote should include any money being asked to pay upfront as a deposit, any special offer, as well as the tender should mention any extra work that they have promised to do for you as well include extras like parking charges if in a controlled parking area or tool / machine / cement mixer /skip hire.
Do not feel bullied into accepting just a verbal estimate and do not agree to a start date without having first received the quote and replied back via email to have a paper trial to keep you protected.
How can I get builders quote easily and quickly?
Getting more than one builder to quote you does not need to be a timely process with you spending many days at home calling around or waiting for builders to turn up – you can quickly and easily have a few quotes instantly at your fingertips by posting your building project on the HaMuch.com website and sitting back having the builders get in touch with you, giving you estimates.