Immigrant versus native builders

[sasguru]

So had quite a lot of renovations to do across two properties, my initial estimate was approx £50K worth (actually will turn out more as I think of new jobs), so not too small a job.
Rang 2 well-established (i.e. British) builders - one didn't show up and when reminded gave another date: no show again.
2nd one showed up, looked keen to do the work, after a week reminded them, they gave a quote and said can't do it for 2 months.
Got a Polish firm in (good references, proper company, not Cash in hand) - they gave me a quote about 75% of no. 2 above , started work 3 days later, so far their work has been of immaculate and exemplary standard.

Are builders that busy then? Anyone got this as a Plan B? Or are British workers too lazy to do jobs they deem small? Is a 50-70K job small nowadays (these builders are not large concerns, they're meant to specialise in house renovations). Is there actually a recession on - doesn't seem so to me

 

[SueEllen]

Are builders that busy then? Anyone got this as a Plan B? Or are British workers too lazy to do jobs they deem small? Is a 50-70K job small nowadays (these builders are not large concerns, they're meant to specialise in house renovations). Is there actually a recession on - doesn't seem so to me

It's actually normal to get builders who can't start work immediately. If they can start work asap then they are probably not very good. The only exception to that is if you want them to start in January immediately after the new year.

Even the Polish builders I last used (who had been here for a few years) couldn't start for a month as they have other jobs and when they finished my place immediately had another job to start.

In terms of the no show unfortunately lots of British tradesmen do that. Some of them just can't be bothered.

 

[FiveTimes]

I've posted descriptions of jobs I want doing on ratedpeople and you can check the feedback.

I agree with SueEllen about being wary of builders who can come ASAP.

 

[sasguru]

So basically the building industry is booming. TBH the Poles I'm using are very good but now they seem stretched - that is one guy seems to be doing all the work.
Although he is excellent.

 

[BrilloPad]

So basically the building industry is booming.

Only small sections - entirely based on central London.

 

[MarillionFan]

So basically the building industry is booming. TBH the Poles I'm using are very good but now they seem stretched - that is one guy seems to be doing all the work.
Although he is excellent.

It's not that it's boomed. It's still quite depressed. But it's not as if they're are builders at home ready to rush out the second the phone rings.

Most builders try to have a few jobs on the go at any time. Why? Because things take time to dry, settle etc. They also use subbies and trying to organise an electrician, carpenter, plumber, brick layer, chippy etc etc is a job and a half.

When i got quotes for my new build none of the builders could start immediately as they were on other projects, the better ones I had to wait for a slot. In terms of quotes though, one was really good the others shocking.

 

[MarillionFan]

Interestingly 50-70k is what the cost of building a 600sq ft end terrace is house down in the South West. :-)

 

[Old Hack]

Interestingly 50-70k is what the cost of building a 600sq ft end terrace is house down in the South West. :-)

No just the building though MF, that's Project manager and plans all included?

If its just the building, you shouldn't be paying a grand a sq m in Trowbridge, not unless the fit and finish is going to be belgravia like!

 

[ZARDOZ]

Interestingly 50-70k is what the cost of building a 600sq ft end terrace is house down in the South West. :-)

It's also the cost of ripping off SAS. First question they asked was "How much do you have to spend?"
Second was "Can you pay upfront?".

 

[MarillionFan]

No just the building though MF, that's Project manager and plans all included?

If its just the building, you shouldn't be paying a grand a sq m in Trowbridge, not unless the fit and finish is going to be belgravia like!

£60k for full build, project managed and plans yes.

And that's working out at £1000 per sq foot for a fully managed build, which having researched in great detail is about right for that area