How Do I Know If A Builder Quote Is Realistic?

How Do I Know if a Quote is Realistic

Starting a home renovation project? – it’s really important to make sure you get the best bang for your buck! Whether you’re giving the kitchen a simple facelift or planning a big home extension, getting the best value all round is a must.

Getting a quote from a builder (or two, or three builders!) is one of the most important parts of your project. And comparing quotes and making sure you’re comparing apples with apples might seem a bit tricky.

Read below for some hot tips on how to get realistic quotes from builders and compare them:

1. RESEARCH

Back to basics: it all starts with research. Nowadays, a few clicks of the keyboard will bring up a long list of builders in your area! But don’t fall into the trap of just choosing the builder one on the top of the search results – if you want your project to be 100% successful, you need to do your homework thoroughly.

Research builders and renovation teams online. Look at reviews. Talk to family and friends who have successfully completed renovation projects. Visit showrooms and display homes.

2. HOW MANY BUILDERS SHOULD I CONTACT?

Once you’ve whittled down your list of options, it’s time to get quotes for building work. The rule of thumb is to get three builders quotes UK and compare them – a bit of a laborious process maybe, but it’ll be worth the effort.

Contact your chosen builders via the internet or phone. To avoid confusion and ambiguity, list out your requirements clearly. If possible, meet your builders on site: a face-to-face meeting allows you to assess each builder’s professionalism and approach to your project.

Ask each builder about their insurance policy – what are they covered for? Also, what warranties/guarantees do they offer for their work?

3. UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ESTIMATE AND A QUOTE

In simple English, an estimate is an educated guess; a quote is a fixed price. To avoid costly budget blow-outs, we recommend getting quotes where possible. Ensure that the builder spends time on the detail of your project and clearly sets out each stage of the project and relevant costs.

Remember, when you’re renovating an existing property, there’s likely to be extra unexpected costs that may only be discovered once demolition has started. Make sure your builder allows a buffer amount for this in his/her pricing.

4. GO THROUGH EACH QUOTE CAREFULLY

When you get your quotes back, (this might take anywhere up to 3 weeks) go through each of them carefully. Make sure you understand exactly what the builder is quoting and how much detail is included for each stage of the project.

Beware of builders that quote ‘ballpark’ figures – it’s quite likely that he/she hasn’t accurately costed the job, so you might be in for some nasty surprises once the project is underway. Read the fine print. If you have any questions regarding the quote, don’t be afraid to contact the builder and ask.

5. CHEAPEST ISN’T ALWAYS BEST

Don’t fall into the trap of simply opting the cheapest quote. Yes, of course the bottom-line counts, but a quote that is far too cheap to be true should flag a warning: how much detail has the builder gone into in the quote? Is the builder being realistic with the cost of materials and/or hours of labour? Nobody works for nothing, so where are they cutting the corners?

Similarly, if one company’s price is far higher than all the rest, take a good look at why – is the builder quoting for more extensive works than is necessary?

6. BE REALISTIC

Quality home renovations don’t come cheap, so be realistic about the costs when getting a quote for building a house or remodelling an existing one. Treat your home as an investment and remember that cheap renovations won’t help its re-sale value down the track.

Talk to your renovation team about areas where you can save a penny or two, and areas where it’s best to spend a little extra – they understand what counts when it comes to ensuring that you add real value to your home.

For more information on how to ensure that your renovation project is a success story, contact the team at Combit Constructions, professional builders in North London today.

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