Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 21, 2015 5:07 pm I've read that many people building will get quotes for certain things from contractors because they can be cheaper than their builder. Things like driveways, carpets, tiles, security screens and doors, lighting and appliances. I've made numerous phone calls and have found my builder is more affordable and even if I upgrade certain items it's still cheaper. Anyone else found this to be the case? Re: Is it cheaper to outsource to contractors? 2Mar 25, 2015 11:15 pm Your question is a bit hard to answer due to the way you have asked it. When most people I spoken to talk about going directly, it is only for labour and not goods. Your question seems to focus on the supply of goods. Labour can be: Fixed quote ( most expensive normally by the hour +30% ) By the hour By the hour cash ( no GST ) Or for builders they just dictate the hourly rate and the tradie takes it or not. ( cheapest , but mostly the poorest quality ) For material, you will find your builder buys in enough quantity from their preferred suppliers that they get a pretty good rate. Far better than anyone who walks in off the street and buys one unit. No different to any other business. It sounds like they are passing on some of the savings to their customers. Re: Is it cheaper to outsource to contractors? 3Mar 27, 2015 2:10 pm Hi Jojeke, if you're talking about *upgrades* then yes, the builder is probably cheaper, because that price you're looking at is simply the difference between the existing item and the next tier. There's a huge difference between, for example, upgrading from basic carpet to nicer carpet, and just supplying nice carpet from scratch. If the builder actually gives you a refund for deleting the item, you might find it's cheaper to go elsewhere. As snowy stockman said, your builder will also have a discount on materials and most likely labour too. Even after their markup, it's not always more expensive. Also consider that if the builder is doing it, it's covered by their insurance and their guarantee. For example, with flooring, if the worst happens and you have a slab failure and your floor has to be ripped up, if they laid it they have to replace it - but if you laid it yourself its your cost (or at least that's how it was explained to us with our builder (Plantation) in Queensland). It all depends on the item, the builder, and at what stage in the construction you need it. Jen (& Dave) Plantation Bronte, Ormeau Ridge, Gold Coast QLD 12/03/2015 - Commencement... 26/08/2015 - Handover! viewtopic.php?f=31&t=76446 Re: Is it cheaper to outsource to contractors? 4Mar 27, 2015 2:54 pm if your builder is cheaper go with the builder but make sure you know what your getting. im buying carpet myself and my friend brought carpet through the builder (same builder) her carpet cost didnt include underlay and was standard carpet and cost the same as my high quailty carpet with thick underlay (same size house). her drapes through the builder cost about $3000, i went to spotlight EOFY sale with 40% off and got all mine for $700. the builder wanted $150 per led down light and ive found a sparky that will do them for $90 not only that the led the builder offered was only a 7w and my sparky ones are 10w. |