Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 02, 2014 9:37 pm My wife and I have spent quite some time putting a list together of everything we want in our new home build and included in any build quotes we get (building in Adelaide). After contacting several small builders, we are getting frustrated as they are coming back with quotes, not including everything we have asked, changing items to their own products or quoting 'similar' items which we don't want! Does anyone know if this is normal or can suggest a good quality small builder who can listen to a potential clients needs and quote on what is asked?? If builders can't quote what you want, how can they build what you want? Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 2Jan 02, 2014 9:55 pm It is very common for Builders to off spec to products they know well. Usually because they can either get it for a better price or understand how the product works and that they can ensure it complies with the Building Codes of Australia. The best way forward is to find the builder you think you want to use and put in the time with them. Find a team you think you can trust and work through the issues. You need to understand with quoting that a company is putting thousands of dollars into putting a price together for you in the hope that you will use them to build it. If you don't they are thousands of dollars out of pocket, which is why they try and knock out a price as quick as they can using products they understand with the hope you will approve of their vision for your wishes. If you simply must have it one way and one way only, spend thousands with an architect to do you a comprehensive set of plans and then take those to the builders to quote off. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 3Jan 02, 2014 10:20 pm Thanks for your reply. I already have the plans completed. All I want is a builder to quote on and include the list of items we have asked. It is not their vision, it's ours and they are hired to build it. If someone wants a quote from me, I quote what they ask, not what I can make a greater margin on! Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 4Jan 02, 2014 11:26 pm Fair enough, but in your original post you stated you had a comprehensive list. A full set of architectural plans and specification are a different beast all together. They should be quoting you on what you have requested or very similar. Either way, my main advice remains. Pick a builder you think you will go with and put in the time with them. It might just be worth meeting a few builders and getting a feel for their attitude. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 5Jan 03, 2014 6:30 am Ethank changing items to their own products or quoting 'similar' items which we don't want! I can totally understand this from the builders perspective. The items you have specified may not be available from the builders wholesaler. If I were the builder, I would not be phoning all around town trying to track down where to source the tap you specified, then repeating the same exercise for the basin, bath, etc etc etc, when its possible that you will just walk away. When you say you have the plans completed, do you mean a full set of working drawings (ready for construction)? Or a floorplan concept that needs further work before construction can commence? I think its reasonable for the builder to quote their own items until you have given them some sort of commitment (eg sign a Preliminary Services Agreement), where you pay say $3000 and the builder - Produce a full quote (including your custom items) - Do soil tests - Create engineering report (footings, storm water etc) - Obtain council approval Even though you have your own plans, an accurate cost won't be known until the soil tests/engineering has been done. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 6Jan 03, 2014 7:00 am This is what happens in commercial construction or tendering for government jobs 1 Estimator will prepare conforming tender(based on everything you supplied, In the case of item no longer available, last known price is used in conforming tender with a note that it is no longer available) then 2 Non conforming tender will be provided showing how it differs and the reasons why (and the potential savings or extra costs). Then the owner will be able to make informed decision As estimator myself, I don't think it is too hard to produce the two estimates and I suspect the only reason they don't is because of laziness. If you are in the business of building then you have to win work and if that means going the extra mile, so be it. If owner gets professionally prepared quotes there will be confidence in the builder. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 7Jan 03, 2014 8:28 am You can't expect a small builder to be able to source every new technology available on the market. If you look at just one area of non-standard additions, say underfloor heating, there are not only multiple technologies available (in-slab, in-screed, sub-floor) but multiple heat sources (carbon heating film, hydronic systems, electric systems) as well as multiple vendors. Each has their own price and it's likely they only use one vendor and one technology. The reasons are obvious; warranty, insurance and potential impacts to other assets (tiles on concrete, waterproofed areas, boilers), with their own set of warranties. It's not hard to see why a builder sticks with one that they're familiar with. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 8Jan 03, 2014 8:47 am I have completed full working drawings incl. soil, electrical, engineering and council approval. If a builder wants the job they should quote what is asked and no I don't think it's reasonable to pay several thousand or sign up just to get some pricing. It's not only them quoting on different products (for example not the taps I've specified), they are quoting on things that are different to the plans. Drawings have 1200 front door specified, builder quotes on 820. Floor to ceiling tiling to be quoted in wet areas, they quote skirting only. A certain gutter profile, they quote different. Hinged robe doors, they quote sliders. Double glazing on 2 windows facing west, they quote standard windows. 3 phase powers, only single quoted, insulation to garage and alfresco roof, they don't include 55 down lights when the electrical shows a lot more… the list goes on and on. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 9Jan 03, 2014 9:09 am I would say in your case, the builders you have approached might not be interested in your build. They might be just providing you with a quote to tell you off. From the description of items missing or incorrectly quote, may be you will need to try approaching premium custom builders not small builders as small builders usually with their own set of tradies with cannot match with your requested items. Between, why not ask for recommendations from the ones who prepare your plans? They are the ones you should ask for help and they probably know builders who can help you with the build. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 10Jan 03, 2014 9:46 am Unfortunately, plans with little to no "wiggle room" requires a certain type of custom builder. Not impossible, but they are fewer and further between - especially in Adelaide. We found the same thing when going down the custom build path, although our list wasnt massively long, there were certain items we wanted and wanted them included on a quote so we could compare apples with apples with another quote. It was very difficult to obtain. Going down the Owner build path may be the best way you can go as far as getting exactly what you want as far as fixtures, fittings, materials etc. As echoed by the posts above, most builders - small, large etc still work with certain suppliers and only have a select range to choose from. There are ones that will let you select your own fittings and fixtures, but again - getting all the info in the tender first hit is unusual, you sort of have to start with something and add to it from there with your own specifications. It is frustrating when the little details are missed, like downlights that are clearly on the plans, door sizes and configurations. Doesnt give you much faith in the builder. But it is a (long) work in progress when you arent dealing with an off the shelf build. It's long enough when you are! Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66299 Slab: 16/6/14 Frame: 4/7/14 Roof: 22/7/14 Lock Up: 20/8/14 Fixing: 26/8/14 PCI: 9/10/14 Handover: 20/10/14 Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 12Jan 03, 2014 11:04 am Stellar Homes and their sister company Reflection do a build to lock up option... then the owner finishes off from there. Not sure if you've already checked them out, or if they are suitable? But, we liked Stellar Homes quite a lot. Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66299 Slab: 16/6/14 Frame: 4/7/14 Roof: 22/7/14 Lock Up: 20/8/14 Fixing: 26/8/14 PCI: 9/10/14 Handover: 20/10/14 Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 13Jan 03, 2014 1:44 pm it is normal, because they know you are quote from many different builders and compare the price. they do not want spent too much time for you. The next step you can do is picking up 3 builders you are interesting, talk with them, discussing what you want. And they will give you more accurate quote price. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 14Jan 03, 2014 9:11 pm deluxes Stellar Homes and their sister company Reflection do a build to lock up option... then the owner finishes off from there. Not sure if you've already checked them out, or if they are suitable? But, we liked Stellar Homes quite a lot. Did you end up building with them? Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 15Jan 03, 2014 10:16 pm We got a lot of different quotes and found the same as you. It was frustrating but I still managed to compare quotes. We are with a project builder but our sales guy worked with us over about a month to get the quote as right as possible however we still ended up with a blow out at the final interview because of extras that I had not thought of at the quote stage. I think as others have said that most builders are not interested in quoting specifically until they have some kind of commitment but as you say this is not helpful to the customer. Not sure that I have been of any help but I hope you share your journey in choosing a builder as I think we would all find it useful. Oh if you check out Pepsi drinkers thread you can see the effort that he has gone through to get an exact quote from rendition. If I get a chance I will post the link. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 16Jan 04, 2014 7:27 am Thanks for your replies. Yep would be very interested in seeing Pepsi's story. I have listed pretty much everything I can think of to quote. The reason for this is so I can a true indication of what I am up for in the early stages of building. I know there will always be things that pop up which will increase the price but I'm trying to avoid the massive 'blowouts' in cost during the build... 1 because I can't afford to work this way and 2 because this is where builders rip you off. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 18Jan 04, 2014 9:27 am Thanks for this. It seems his need to find a builder willing to quote on the comprehensive list he's put together is similar to my situation... and he's hit the nail on the head - we need to know this pricing BEFORE signing any contracts. I have PM'd him hoping to find out who he ended up building with and the girl he used to help with the contracts. I'm more than happy to keep everyone posted on my progression with this. Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 19Jan 04, 2014 11:02 am I agree with Ethank. If you provide all the specs then give a quote based on that. I forgot who said that small builders don't have the time to track down the specs .... They don't have to just take the model number or spec given by Ethank and ring a supplier and itemise that to the client. Transparent pricing will always win work, hidden pricing won't and will just end up with disgruntled clients when variations are charged. I myself have been estimating in different fields for over 12 yrs and you must supply a confirming tender and then a non conforming one with justifications. That's professional and in some cases gives the client more confidence you know what your talking about. Spending time and money doing quotes is part of the job. If your not winning many there is a good reason why, not just excuses besides good builders will know their prices. At the end of the day if they can't give you a quote on what you want don't bother wasting your time with them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Re: Can't get an accurate quote. 20Jan 04, 2014 12:23 pm Crazyk I agree with Ethank. If you provide all the specs then give a quote based on that. Spending time and money doing quotes is part of the job. At the end of the day if they can't give you a quote on what you want don't bother wasting your time with them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk This is so true. I spend many hours a year quoting on projects for potential clients. Some I get, others I don't... but I quote on what they ask, not something different in order to look cheap and can make me a greater margin. Listening to a clients needs is very important. I would rather a quote come back at 500k with everything listed, than a 300k 'estimation' with PC sums not even a third of what they should be. When you spend $100 fair enough, but when you are talking several hundred thousand, you want to know what you are getting! Hopefully there are some builders out there willing to listen. hey there! 😊 so, it’s kinda common for standard drawer depths to be around 500mm since most cabinets use this size to fit the usual runners… 3 20915 I was being kind to the builder. With the amount charged for the upgrade the builder is probably charging closer to 100% margin. There are a few variables as I… 5 14321 I had 28m2 of engineered pavers laid six months back and it was difficult to find someone not taking the pi$$. Internet suggested it should be $85-100/m2 to lay them.… 3 12402 |