Is my builder's plumber's quote about right?

[WindyMiller]

I'm extending my house and my builder put a P/C sum in his quote for plumbing at £5k. He's introduced a plumber who's been around, and the builder has now sent me an estimate for £14k+VAT. So, despite being a very experienced and reputable extension specialist, his own estimate was nearly 3 times less than his plumber's...
Anyway, I'm just wondering whether it is about right. The extension is quite large and adds 1 reception room, a larger kitchen and utility, 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. So to summarise I need:

1. New condensing boiler
2. New pump, hot water tank, valves and controller
3. 7 new radiators
4. Plumbing to 3 new bathrooms (2 have toilet, sink, bath and shower, 1 has toilet, sink and shower only.)
5. Plumbing for a new kitchen (sink, dishwasher, gas cooker) and utility room (sink, washing machine, tumble dryer)
6. A Megaflow system for the hot water/showers

Assuming my builder has put 10% on for himself, does £12.5k+VAT seem about right?

(There's been no mention of the make/model of the boiler or whether the pipework will be done in plastic or copper.)
(We're supply all the sanitary ware etc.)

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[lame plumber]

I have charged £10k for a single bathroom all in, and considering you are building something akin to a large house its cheap, so allow for extras, especially as your providing ceramics that normally causes more more hassle and costs than you think you save by buying it yourself.

 

[Wet dream]

Seems cheap to me very cheap

 

[Howsie]

Where are you based?

 

[Ermintrude]

Builder is a nugget. Sounds a bit in experienced if he doesn't know roughly what the cost is?
You had quotes of other builders? Been working on a job builder under estimated by £65k on an original £75k job. Custard was not a happy bunny. Sacked builder still lots left

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Can i get his number? That seems cheap to me for installing that gear

 

[gasmanrob]

In your list I would have thought number 2 and 6 were one of the same?

 

[WindyMiller]

In your list I would have thought number 2 and 6 were one of the same?

If you say so Rob - sounds logical. As my builder said when I challenged the 200% increase on his P/C: "I'm not a plumber."

21126]Builder is a nugget. Sounds a bit in experienced if he doesn't know roughly what the cost is?

I think he knew exactly what he was doing - getting his overall estimate down by £9k!

[/COLOR]

16397][/COLOR]Where are you based?

Guildford area.

 

[Ray Stafford]

Its impossible to judge without seeing it. But £5k is so far under that I wonder if your builder gave it any thought at all.

Obviously I havent seen it, but I can easily envisage well over £5k for materials given what you have told us, even accepting the fact that you are supplying sanitary ware.

 

[WindyMiller]

Thanks for all you replies. It seems to be about right.

 

[Koogatubac]

Sounds very cheap tbh

 

[A1P]

I hope for your sake the whole job doesn't come in at 3 times the price+ VAT.Check your contract.

 

[wetdrip]

I'm extending my house and my builder put a P/C sum in his quote for plumbing at £5k. He's introduced a plumber who's been around, and the builder has now sent me an estimate for £14k+VAT. So, despite being a very experienced and reputable extension specialist, his own estimate was nearly 3 times less than his plumber's...
Anyway, I'm just wondering whether it is about right. The extension is quite large and adds 1 reception room, a larger kitchen and utility, 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. So to summarise I need:

1. New condensing boiler
2. New pump, hot water tank, valves and controller
3. 7 new radiators
4. Plumbing to 3 new bathrooms (2 have toilet, sink, bath and shower, 1 has toilet, sink and shower only.)
5. Plumbing for a new kitchen (sink, dishwasher, gas cooker) and utility room (sink, washing machine, tumble dryer)
6. A Megaflow system for the hot water/showers

Assuming my builder has put 10% on for himself, does £12.5k+VAT seem about right?

(There's been no mention of the make/model of the boiler or whether the pipework will be done in plastic or copper.)
(We're supply all the sanitary ware etc.)

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Do your homework and check 2 and 6 as suggested in another reply to this thread.
Now for arguments sake price up an expensive commercial boiler which you'll never use, we'll call it £3.500 for that alone.Over the top yes.Now price up a megaflow system , 7 rads etc etc. Pick expensive as I've suggested.Measure the total copper run. well say £80 for the new gas pipe run for cooker. I'll put my tin hat on now, as I say you're being overcharged.
Personally, I'd run a mile.



The cheapest quote I had for my extension was £21,000. Brought in and overseen my own crew.Done it complete counting every nut and bolt £7,000.

 

[Destroyer2813]

2&6 can be heating pump and megaflow though lads

 

[Ermintrude]

Or circulator for DHW

 

[Howsie]

Guildford eh. Sounds about right TBH.

 

[albatross]

I'd get some other builders to quote. He doesn't sound that professional. If he has got the plumbing cost so wrong what if he's priced everything wrong? You could end up borrowing alot of money or a half finished job.

 

[Howsie]

It's easy to see the builders thought process. He (rightly or wrongly) has assumed that the existing boiler and hot water system was suitable for the extension. I bet the 5k was just for the plumbing for the new extension etc.

If you are firm on the builder ask him to get another plumbere to quote also.

I know a very good company local you

 

[MK_Swans]

I've experienced the same thing with builders providing the plumbers estimates in the past.

Over the last few jobs I've done for a local builder down here I've come to the conclusion that they either:

a. Look to keep the overall quote down by grossly underestimating the cost of plumbing
b. They just have no idea what the cost of materials and labour for a decent plumber is!

Price seems good for the amount of work being carried out IMHO

Get a couple of other plumbers round for some more quotes.

MK

 

[SimonG]

2 and 6 are different, terminology methinks.

If you are concerned then get a couple of additional quotes. The only thing I would say about that though is that I do work for one builder, past experiences with others mean I only do work for one, he is very good, knows whats involved with all the trades and I know that jobs with him run relatively smooth and we have a very good working relationship. Now some of the muppets I have worked with in the past are a nightmare and give no consideration for anything other than their own works. My price for the same job to the two builders would be different, very different.

 

[MK_Swans]

I think 2. Is pumped hot return and or s plan controls

6. The mega flow uhwss

 

[SimonG]

Sounds like heat only boiler with seperate central heating pump and new f&e.