Couple of building questions...

[dirty boy]

Need about 1500 blocks to do an extension, a quick bit of googling suggests 97p per block (B&Q) anyone got any ideas on what I could realistically haggle a merchant down to?

Also, double skin blockwork (this is for a garage with a room above - on side of house - house is rendered) any ideas on how many blocks a gang of two can lay per day? sensibly.

Cheers

[mrmaggit]

dirty boy said:

Need about 1500 blocks to do an extension, a quick bit of googling suggests 97p per block (B&Q) anyone got any ideas on what I could realistically haggle a merchant down to?

Also, double skin blockwork (this is for a garage with a room above - on side of house - house is rendered) any ideas on how many blocks a gang of two can lay per day? sensibly.

Cheers

Depends on how many you take at one time, and which type you want to use, and where you are in the country.

As for laying them, the fewer doors/windows/corners there are, the faster they can lay them, you'll need to talk to whoever you get in, as 2&1 gangs vary considerably in speed/quality of work.

You'll get a better deal (and service) from your local independant than you will from a shed, as a rule.

[Slagathore]

dirty boy said:

Need about 1500 blocks to do an extension, a quick bit of googling suggests 97p per block (B&Q) anyone got any ideas on what I could realistically haggle a merchant down to?

Also, double skin blockwork (this is for a garage with a room above - on side of house - house is rendered) any ideas on how many blocks a gang of two can lay per day? sensibly.

Cheers

It might be worth seeing what's best price you can get the blocks for, and then see what price the bricklayers can get them for?

They might be able to get a better price if they use the same builder's merchants every time.

Are you getting all the materials from the same place? If you tell them you will use them for the rest of the materials for the job, I'm sure they'll sort you out with some discount.

[dirty boy]

Slagathore said:

dirty boy said:

Need about 1500 blocks to do an extension, a quick bit of googling suggests 97p per block (B&Q) anyone got any ideas on what I could realistically haggle a merchant down to?

Also, double skin blockwork (this is for a garage with a room above - on side of house - house is rendered) any ideas on how many blocks a gang of two can lay per day? sensibly.

Cheers

It might be worth seeing what's best price you can get the blocks for, and then see what price the bricklayers can get them for?

They might be able to get a better price if they use the same builder's merchants every time.

Are you getting all the materials from the same place? If you tell them you will use them for the rest of the materials for the job, I'm sure they'll sort you out with some discount.

Thanks, worth asking.

I've got a couple of clients who I want to approach, but want to go to them 'armed' with information. Don't want them to think 'bean counter' hasn't got a clue about materials, i'll charge him £X

I want to be in the position to say to a bricklayer

"the footings are done, the scaffolding is there, the blocks waiting, here are the plans - how much for you to stick it up?"

I'm hoping as it's a straight forward job for them, no faffing about, just turn up and block up, I might get it done fairly competitively.

Hope

[Busamav]

I would also be speaking to the guys who are going to do the rendering as to what blocks they prefer for the outside skin .

What blocks are you considering ?

[dirty boy]

Busamav said:

I would also be speaking to the guys who are going to do the rendering as to what blocks they prefer for the outside skin .

What blocks are you considering ?

Nice point, hadn't considered it at all.

[Busamav]

A lot of guys will prefer to render on concrete blocks ,

Have a look at the Thermalite site , there are obviously loads of block types (and manufacturers) , but they break into 3 main categories for ease.

Lightweight insulating block ( turbo or similar )

Middle weight block ( Shield )

Concrete block .

I always spec a concrete block for a rendered outer skin , on the advice of my structural engineer, although the manufacturer says you can use any of the above.

[Busamav]

you could also use a single skin of 225 mm party wall block ,

and for the upper floors you would just add an insulated p/board to make up the U value , which is of no concern to the garage area

[bigian64]

where in the country are you? i have been in the building game for many years unfortunately i`m a dry liner and ceiling fixer so not much i can do for you but if your around west yorkshire i know a good brickie and plasterer

[Muppet32]

For 1500 blocks you shouldn't have to pay more than £7/m2 for 7N standard conc blocks or £8/m2 for Thermalites. It may be possible to negotiate a better price, as that's 20 packs so may be able to come direct from the supplier.

I think I used to pay around £10/m2 to lay them, but prices have generally come down a bit recently.

Work on those figures and you probably won't be a million miles out unless your project is weird / has bad access / is in N Scotland / you're unlikeable

[mrmaggit]

bigian64 said:

where in the country are you? i have been in the building game for many years unfortunately i`m a dry liner and ceiling fixer so not much i can do for you but if your around west yorkshire i know a good brickie and plasterer

Yes, I find this irritating too. Ok, don't put it in your profile, but if you give us a clue we could maybe point you in the direction of somebody to help you. This is a general broadcast, not this post specific, btw.

[dirty boy]

I'm in Suffolk (Lowestoft)

Appreciate the pointers guys, will probably keep prodding you all for more info!

[rsv gone!]

Muppet32 said:

For 1500 blocks you shouldn't have to pay more than £7/m2 for 7N standard conc blocks or £8/m2 for Thermalites. It may be possible to negotiate a better price, as that's 20 packs so may be able to come direct from the supplier.

I think I used to pay around £10/m2 to lay them, but prices have generally come down a bit recently.

I'd agree with your material costs but those labour rates are very keen for such a small area. But you never know. Tradesmen are all lowering their expectations at the moment.

[mrmaggit]

dirty boy said:

I'm in Suffolk (Lowestoft)

Appreciate the pointers guys, will probably keep prodding you all for more info!

Ring Ridgeons, 01502-517126.

Lowestoft is a bit far-flung from block plants, so it may be a bit more than the rates quoted so far. Just preparing you.