Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Jan 29, 2009 6:34 pm To date we have been very happy with all our tradies & their work & their prices.
Have had the first of our plumbing quotes in (which includes septic installation). Our home is an 'average' 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 1 ensuite, nothing at all tricky. First quote? $19k. We wait quotes 2 & 3, still using the paper bag to breathe in (or does this price sound WNL - within normal limits???)....... Re: Plumbing Quote 3Jan 29, 2009 8:33 pm It includes absorption trenches & aggregate for the septic. The runoff from the roof will be directed to our rainwater tank ( we will be doing this part) as we have no town water. Re: Plumbing Quote 4Jan 29, 2009 8:38 pm How long is a piece of string?
Does that include supply of septic tank, absorption trenches etc, excavation? Does it include supply of PC items etc? Throwing out a number isnt really enough. There are so many variables involved that prices can vary drastically depending on what the price includes. You should pay close attention to what each quote actually provides for. Re: Plumbing Quote 6Jan 30, 2009 11:19 am good quote bad quote that is the question?
the only way to find the answer is get more quotes and compare. we had plumbing quotes for standard 3 br no ensuite no septic from 11,500.00-5,500.00 so they vary greatly but remember to make sure you are getting the same quotes off each plumber no use one quoting on copper pipes and the other quoting on plastic ect.. good luck shelley Re: Plumbing Quote 7Jan 30, 2009 10:18 pm We are building a 31sq single story home on a level block. Very standard. Nothing out of the ordinary at all! Our plumber charged $12100 inc GST for the following (directly from his quote):
"1. Installation of sewer line and storm water drain, inc inspections and back fill(not removal of excess soil) 2. install hot and cold water line including installation of mixer on showers and basins, bath and sinks 3. hot ,cold water supplied outside kitchen area 4. cold water supplied in roof for evap cooler unit 5. storm water tank set up to run : washing machine, trough and 2 toilets 6. set up Ensuite shower for a recess base 7. connect shower base, bath, vent and check drains are in the right position 8. fit off taps, fittings and appliances (supplied by owner) 9. install hot water unit, hot plate and sewer caps Note: extra cost may be applied only if when digging (storm an sewer) soil can sometimes be rocky and take longer. If so, it would not alter too much. Not too often this happens though." We ended up paying $650 for digging out excess rocks and another $500 to have all rocks removed from the site. Also included a gas point for ducted heating in the roof space. I agree that it depends on what you are getting for $19k. Wait for the other 3 quotes before you make any judgements on this one. We ended up getting just the one quote because we couldn't secure a plumber that would show up and got sick of wasting time ringing around different plumbers that never called back and didnt show up - the guy we locked in actually turned up when he said he would and has been a blessing when it came to getting the work done. So far so good! All the best, Ruth Ruth -Bought house in Melbourne inner burbs, knocked it down & now...we are owner builders! Completed OB project and moved in to our new home with our new baby in May 2009! Re: Plumbing Quote 8Feb 12, 2009 7:26 am Yes, agree with waiting for the other quotes, so can compare apples with apples.
Now have the other 2 quotes in, both of which were less than the first one. One of the plumbers came via a recommendation of our electrician (whom we have known for many years). He prooved to be the man for the job, not soley based on price. He commenced work yesterday, & all is progressing well to date. Thanks everyone for the advice. Re: Plumbing Quote 10Feb 12, 2009 1:40 pm I ha quotes 19k and another 17k ,, both way more than I wanted to pay so I decided to hire someone by the hour where i supply fittings and see how I go, I reckon I'd have to do something incredibly wrong for it to cost me 19k Re: Plumbing Quote 11Feb 12, 2009 3:42 pm That's prettty much what we have negotiated with one of the plumbers, piranah. We have got prices for the septic tank, trenching, & assoc items, etc, and the plumber has given us an est of hours he will need for each step of the job.
Given all that, plus knowing his hourly rate, we should come in below the other quotes. We have used this method with some of the others trades, & it has worked in our favour so far. Re: Plumbing Quote 12Feb 12, 2009 7:37 pm yeah I am finding this can be cheaper than some trades quoting the job as they have to allow a buffer if things become more difficult and cost a bit more, that can be a couple grand and you pay for that even if the job goes smooth & easy. I did have trouble finding a plumber to do the job thought most only want to do maintenance work and others dont like per hour jobs.
for the framework, walls, floor & roof truss' some of the suppliers want to charge 10-15k to erect it all but by paying a chippie by the hour should be able to get it done for around 5k including crane hire etc. Re: 13May 19, 2009 8:25 pm piranha yeah I am finding this can be cheaper than some trades quoting the job as they have to allow a buffer if things become more difficult and cost a bit more, that can be a couple grand and you pay for that even if the job goes smooth & easy. I did have trouble finding a plumber to do the job thought most only want to do maintenance work and others dont like per hour jobs. for the framework, walls, floor & roof truss' some of the suppliers want to charge 10-15k to erect it all but by paying a chippie by the hour should be able to get it done for around 5k including crane hire etc. We've been quoted similar for the steel frame/structural steel installation. How much did it end up costing you in the end? Re: 14May 19, 2009 8:26 pm piranha I ha quotes 19k and another 17k ,, both way more than I wanted to pay so I decided to hire someone by the hour where i supply fittings and see how I go, I reckon I'd have to do something incredibly wrong for it to cost me 19k My relative works in the building industry and tells us that whenever they pay them by the hour they taaaaaaaaaaaaaaakeeeeeeeeeeee theirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimeeeeeeeeeeeeeee whereas fixed price contracts get done a lot quicker. This kind of scares me and is the reason why we dont want to go with an hourly rate for the electrician Re: Re: 15May 25, 2009 12:11 am gettingThere piranha I ha quotes 19k and another 17k ,, both way more than I wanted to pay so I decided to hire someone by the hour where i supply fittings and see how I go, I reckon I'd have to do something incredibly wrong for it to cost me 19k My relative works in the building industry and tells us that whenever they pay them by the hour they taaaaaaaaaaaaaaakeeeeeeeeeeee theirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimeeeeeeeeeeeeeee whereas fixed price contracts get done a lot quicker. This kind of scares me and is the reason why we dont want to go with an hourly rate for the electrician yes i would assume this too however if your on site standing over them i figure it would be pretty hard for them to slack off too much stay safe happy building In my experience roof is essential element of the building envelope and hence a common property and should be covered by owners corporation however a detailed review of… 3 6163 For anyone that comes across this issue in the future - Just did what aussieta said and found a plumber to inspect it and sign off on it. Was difficult to find someone to… 3 7001 5 3755 |