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.

 

[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.