Builder's Quote

[PAT60DUNNE]

We have a small bathroom in a top floor flat in London and a builder has quoted us �1500 for ripping out and installing a new bathroom suite (provided by us), building a cupboard under the sink and above the toilet, fitting panels around the bath and plastering.  The price includes wood/mdf but no painting
(not even the cupboards) and  no tiling. All fittings are to be provided by us.  Are there any builders out there who could tell me if this is an over the top quote?

[Oneeyedvic]

I don't mean to sound patronising, but I would really suggest that you get another couple of builders round to quote.

There is little point in asking a question on such a universal site as this - as an example - a builder in York may say that sounds expensive - but if all the builders in your area are very busy, they may charge a premium price. Unfortunately, you have to pay what the going rate is.

Obviously, try to get recommendations from other people as to who to get - I'd prefer to pay (slightly) more to someone who I trusted than get someone I didn't know about in.

[smurfchops]

I agree with oneeyedvic - depends where you live. In London and Surrey plumbers can charge around �150 per day for labour and if you want a good job, you have to pay the price. But again, get a couple more quotes from recommendations if possible, and take the middle quote. It is also a good idea to go for your gut feeling with your builder if possible. Your job will probably take two or three weeks so add it up. Dont pay them by the day -- they will just drag the job out -- get a set price. And dont give them anything up front, perhaps half the money half way through and the rest when you are satisfied with the work, when they have finished. Also a lot of websites recommending tradesmen are being paid by the tradesmen so you can't rely on them too much. It is just an advert to them. The building game is very quiet at the moment so you might get someone who gives you a lower price, to keep him in work.