Any Decorators/Builders Here - Need Help On Quotes!

[Suave]

Hi All,

I have been getting some really exhorbitant quotes from builders/decorators and I now really need some sort of help/guidance on what I should reasonably expect to pay. The room is 4m square with standard 2.4m high ceilings. The main work is:

1) Reskim/plaster all walls (one has a large window & one has a standard door)
2) Refit new radiator (will need moving pipes a very small distance from protruding up from floor to out of wall)
3) Change 4 ceiling down-lights & fit one surface mounted spot-light bar
4) Change light-switch faceplate
5) Change faceplates on 8 double sockets & fit 2 new ones
6) Change faceplates on one telephone extension socket
7) Move Master telephone socket & run to another extension socket
8) Sand window sill & inside of door
9) Lay Laminate flooring with underlay (possible insulation as well if needed) & matching clip on skirting boards
10) Fit ceiling coving (lightweight & easy fit Super-Cove type)
11) Wallpaper & paint
12) Repaint ceiling.

I know it sounds like a lot but there is nothing there that is not pretty basic stuff and most are not exactly technically demanding jobs I would have thought? What should I be be looking to pay for each task considering that I will be providing all materials? I would really welcome any input as I cannot believe some of the prices I am being quoted! I would do some of the work myself normally but recent health issues have come in the way and some of my current medications causes certain side effects and I thought it best not to mess around with power tools etc!!


Suave!

[shoestring25]

how much are you being quoted because by the looks of the list you need a plumber decorator and electrician plasterer and that all ads up to pretty expensive.

i bet you the quotes are up wards of 2k and thats probably not including materials either

[deckingman]

My best guess - depends where you live -London area pay a lot more.

1. Plasterer - 2 days @£140/day = £280

2. Plumber - Drain heating, channel out wall etc, fit rad, re-fill and bleed system. Probably a day for a plumber and these guys like to charge, so £300 ish upwards.

3 to 7. Electrician - probably a day - say £250 ish. However, depnds on position of new sockets which may mean taking up floor boards etc to run new cables. Could be 2 days or £500 ish

9. - Say a day for a flooring fitter - £120?

8, 10 11, and 12. Painter/decorator - dunno really. 3 days @ £110? Say £350 - £400

I make that about £1,600 plus the materials.

Don't forget even self employed sole traders have costs to cover. Tools don't come free and have to be replaced due to wear and tear. Then there is their "free time" which is coming round, discussing the job with you, preparing a quotation. Then, advertising costs, accountancy fees, legal and professional fees, telephone, vehicle and travel, "office" costs etc That all has to be paid before you can even think about drawing a wage (which of course is subject to tax and NI).

[doghandler]

Originally Posted by Suave

Hi All,

I have been getting some really exhorbitant quotes from builders/decorators and I now really need some sort of help/guidance on what I should reasonably expect to pay. The room is 4m square with standard 2.4m high ceilings. The main work is:

1) Reskim/plaster all walls (one has a large window & one has a standard door)
2) Refit new radiator (will need moving pipes a very small distance from protruding up from floor to out of wall)
3) Change 4 ceiling down-lights & fit one surface mounted spot-light bar
4) Change light-switch faceplate
5) Change faceplates on 8 double sockets & fit 2 new ones
6) Change faceplates on one telephone extension socket
7) Move Master telephone socket & run to another extension socket
8) Sand window sill & inside of door
9) Lay Laminate flooring with underlay (possible insulation as well if needed) & matching clip on skirting boards
10) Fit ceiling coving (lightweight & easy fit Super-Cove type)
11) Wallpaper & paint
12) Repaint ceiling.

I know it sounds like a lot but there is nothing there that is not pretty basic stuff and most are not exactly technically demanding jobs I would have thought? What should I be be looking to pay for each task considering that I will be providing all materials? I would really welcome any input as I cannot believe some of the prices I am being quoted! I would do some of the work myself normally but recent health issues have come in the way and some of my current medications causes certain side effects and I thought it best not to mess around with power tools etc!!


Suave!

Hi If you let me know where you are in the country, I may be able to help. Obviously it depends on the distance involved. I live in S. Devon. Regards doghandler.

[Suave]

Hi All!

Thanks for the replies so far! I am based in Harrow Middx which is kind of NW London if that helps. I have been given the total run-around by a number of Polish builders (who claim they can do everything!) and so I tried some local ones from the YP's and local papers - most never even turned up for the estimates! Any-ways, I have been quoted anything from £1250 to £5600!!

The room is totally bare and walls already stripped, most electrical sockets are in place, all skirting and carpets are out, walls have already been channelled for wiring/cabling. What is the average daily rate a competent person would charge?

Suave!

[doghandler]

Originally Posted by Suave

Hi All!

Thanks for the replies so far! I am based in Harrow Middx which is kind of NW London if that helps. I have been given the total run-around by a number of Polish builders (who claim they can do everything!) and so I tried some local ones from the YP's and local papers - most never even turned up for the estimates! Any-ways, I have been quoted anything from £1250 to £5600!!

The room is totally bare and walls already stripped, most electrical sockets are in place, all skirting and carpets are out, walls have already been channelled for wiring/cabling. What is the average daily rate a competent person would charge?

Suave!

I think £20 per hour is more than a generous rate.

[GasDad]

Originally Posted by doghandler

I think £20 per hour is more than a generous rate.

For what ?

Plasterer and Decorator yes.

Heating Engineer - probably not.

Sparky - definitely not.

[deckingman]

As has been said. Daily rate depends on the trade. I do most things myself so can't really advise on what the going rate is except for plasterers, who charge around £130 / day round here. Gardeners want £12 to £15 an hour to do a bit of weeding.

On the other hand, take British Gas. The going rate for a straight boiler change is about £3k - more if it is anything other than a straight swap. I know from speaking to British gas engineers that a modern high efficiency boiler doesn't cost them more than about £500 (you can buy one yourself off the internet for about £600 or less). It's a day's work for one man. That means £2,500 labour for a day's work. You'll find someone local who can do it for a lot less (say £1,000 a day).

Personally I think it's taking the p..... but there you are.

[shoestring25]

2k (not including materials) is a good price look for some one about that sort of range. 1,200k too cheap cowboy. 5,600k too dear doesn't want the job

if some one properly does it they will sub out the rad job because of they do it properly they would flush the system with cleaning agent and refill with inhibitor. and a sparky would have to be part P qualified and test the work he had done and sign off on it.

deckingmans quotes for going rates is about right