Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 22, 2022 9:15 am I recently got a little stung on a job I had done around the new house, needed a bunch of retaining walls as we are on a 4m slope and we dug in pretty far in the back. First estimate was around 40m2 of wall, final bill shows over 100m2 of wall first price was $9,600 and this final price with everything added ended up over $35,000. The builder put forward someone and passed their details on so met with them onsite to go through the project etc, thought this was all kosher as I have never really dealt with getting big works like this done before. Estimate of job cost was given and paid a deposit. Now we are at the end of the job and I have been hit with a bill I wasn't really expecting, the price itself isn't the problem just I had a price in my head and then to get a price 3x that at the end is a bit of a shock. I had some extra stuff added in as I was working off the first price etc. so I may not have got this other work done depending as I was never given updated pricing throughout the work. This I blame solely on myself as I should have asked throughout the job. I don't believe I am being ripped off or anything like that either. Now my question is what is the correct way to go about getting a job quoted up so I don't run into this in the future? Any tips and tricks anyone can give me? As I still have a bunch of landscaping, decking and fences to get done I would like to be able to go into them knowing a more stable price at the start so I can budget better. A start I guess would be to get the project laid out into a proper quote for the job rather than just text messages? Is there anything else? Re: What is the correct way to get a quote? 2Sep 22, 2022 10:56 am As soon as you tell them "Price is not a problem ...." , "It's my Forever Dream Home...", "I want something special.." LOL, they'll always take advantage of the situation and milk you like a cash cow, it's only going to get worse as times get tougher Here's the process for retaining. Have certified drawings, details and approx. quantities, get a proper quote in writing from 3 tradesman, Trades are reluctant to sign small contract agreements, so include similar point forms within the accompanying Documents/ emails. Should you get into a dispute the process should be clearly defined,ie, Start/time frame, payments, material ordering, variations, inspections, completion, clean-up, etc,etc. OT, Work over $20k not carried out within the main building application requires a separate building licence in WA check with your council Here Patio with deck , Drawings , Details, Engineering, quantities Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: What is the correct way to get a quote? 4Sep 23, 2022 9:08 am Good info, I try to keep the price is no issue etc out of the conversation. Reading that link has a few things I thought about after the job is completed. I have no proper details of this business so have no way of knowing if they actually have any insurances etc. This is my own fault for being so trusting so hopefully there are never any problems with these or I am going to be out for some serious coin. Does getting a proper invoice from said company do anything to help protect me a little bit? Now the job is done and too late to go back. Like does it give more legal standing if say I have an issue with the wall a couple of years down the track? Re: What is the correct way to get a quote? 5Sep 23, 2022 10:46 am Usually when they don't give you paperwork they'll have something to hide. OT, Of late I've had many enquiries about radar scanning from home owners.. ? For some reasons trades still think " once buried, and covered the clients aren't going to know or be any the wiser. Imo trades have another thing coming as technology is outpacing them? But again, you'll need the certified engineering details, data and proofs. Most forget about being over charged and even r!pped off , what you don't want is a constraint reminder in the way of defective work, ie cracking, reduced capacity and finally failure-> followed by a financially crippling repair bill. Cheers Chris Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: What is the correct way to get a quote? 7Sep 25, 2022 6:29 am boris594 why is yours so cheap , we were quoted over $1000 per m2 of retaining wall and could only find one guy in the whole of sydney to give us a quote Hmmmm wow, Yeah mine was around $280/m2, their price has already gone up over $400 now. Is yours being done the right way with DA approvals and stuff? My understanding is mine is not an approved structure even though some of it was included on the approved house plans. Speaking to others around the suburb it appears no one has the proper approvals for their walls etc.q Re: What is the correct way to get a quote? 8Sep 25, 2022 7:49 am He's not doing planning engineering or approvals in that fee. We weren't able to work out why so expensive, but I did try to get quotes from every builder in Sydney. It might just be the massive shortage and maybe this wasn't a serious quote but it's the only one we could get. Re: What is the correct way to get a quote? 9Sep 26, 2022 10:42 am That is odd if it doesn't include the planning, engineering or approvals? I honestly have no idea how much this kinda thing costs as its the first time custom building, I think in the future it is worth keeping in mind that it is worth it to pay that $50,000 etc for land that is flatter as those costs will be taken in retaining walls anyway. Maybe they don't want the job and that is why they gave such a high price. 3 3000 Yeah mine about 9 metres long and 8 wide with slope of 25% at one point but the end point of the outlet is past the side of garage and if he concretes allowing for… 4 4822 4 9759 |