building quotes

[dartissimus]

I'm planning to replace an asbestos warehouse roof this summer, around 450 Sq metres including pitch, but with poorish access.

I understand that the rate is around £130 per sq metres. (£58500). North of England index of prices.

So why do my quotes vary from £52000 to £99000, plus one comedian " our surveyor can do a quote from Google Earth and have it with you by the end of the week"

Maybe the £99000 quote people don't want the job, altho they've visited three or four times.

Any opinions/comments/advice please.

[sider]

I run a Quantity Surveying/Estimating business and get asked this quite regularly - usually by domestic customers.

Classic example a few weeks back, albeit an extension rather than a roof.

Chap wants an extension on his house.

Speaks to three local builders.

One quotes £19k. Another £26k. And final one £40k.

Prior to this, I'd advised him of a budget of £27k.

Turns out the £19k price was from a young lad who'd recently set up on his own. Guessing he'd work off the old '£1000 a m2' rule as it was 19 m2. His price didn't take into account a couple of piles required, manhole to be moved and a set of bi-fold doors.

The £40k price was a chap doing a job over the road that was struggling to finish it. Can only assume that he's priced it at around £30k but realised he's too busy and that if he got it for £40k, he'd be able to probably sub the whole project out and get it doe for £30k-34k ish and make a good profit on that.

So that's possibly where your variance lies.

Also, for something like a roof - two men and a van could be horsing it off using ladders whilst someone else has the whole placed edge protected and scaffolded out with proper asbestos management measures.

You need to employ a QS. I know I would say that but they could potentially save you a lot of ££ and work out where the differences between the contractors pricing is and why.

Edited by sider on Thursday 6th April 10:03

[malks222]

as another QS here, you have a couple of quotations, but my question is- what did you ask them to price?

Do you know exactly what you want? or have you gone to roofing contractors and just asked- can you price to replace the roof?

have they included removal and disposal of asbestos materials? they may just leave it piled up in the corner for you to deal with
do you know what type of asbestos material is there? is it notifiable do they have appropriate tickets to deal with it?
what are they using for access- ladders? cherry picker? scaffolding?
have they priced edge protection? or are a couple of lads gonna be up there with no safety protection?
what materials are they gonna use on the new roof? are they comparable specs? has one priced the rolls royce over kill, or has one priced some crap thin sheeting that wont last a decent bit of wind?
have they included guttering/ down pipes?
warranty?

I'm not trying to be arsey or anything, but theres a million an one reasons for the big difference in price. but dont worry, I get equally wild fluctuations in price even when sending out bills of quantities, drawings and specs for massive scale projects! the trick is understanding what they send you back!

[Noblebenn]

Hi.

We are an Asbestos services company and if you would like i'd be more then happy to help with any questions you may have or to help make sure the advice you're getting is correct.

Please don't think I am fishing for work either as geographically you are quite far away but I have been given good help and advise through Pistonheads over the years and it would be great to pass help on to other members.

[tleefox]

Presumably you've had an R&D survey done? Can't expect anyone to give you an accurate price without that.