Builders!!! Can't get one for love nor money

Madwelsh

Madwelsh

Madwelsh

Associate
Joined
19 Jan 2005
Posts
549
Location
Legoland
I have been trying (in vain) to get a builder to come around and lay a concrete slab, with land drains on two sides, with 2 retaining walls to the height of about 4 foot double brick thickness. The size of the slab is roughly about 12' x 10'. So far I've had about 10+ builders come around take measurements then tell me they'll give me a quote. I have had one reply and he wanted like near 4 grand! I've used a few of these trusted profession sites as advertised on cowboy builders programmes etc.

I don't know where I'm going wrong tbh, but speaking to a few colleagues at work, seems getting a decent builder who actually will even call you back is a rareity. Just wondering if everyone else is having same problems? I thought builders were screaming out for work, yet I have 2 grand sat here and nobody seems to want the work.
 
So you want a slab pouring, drains putting in and the retaining walls? Or the drains and walls etc are already in situe? Tbh if its not the latter, betime labour and materials are added up for a proper job you probably wouldnt be far off a few grand! you'd have to dig the slab out, hardcore and prep the area, dig footings for the retaining walls and concrete them. Land drains- aqua drains etc. You got the price of concrete which isnt cheap, skips- £140+ !!, bricks (again not relatively cheap depending on what brick is used) and your labour. What customers don't realise is how much materials actually are!! It shocks us who have been in the trade long enough, let alone a customer.
 
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Sadly I think this is all too common.

I had a few builders round to quote for several jobs in one go last year. Many just quoted sky high figures which I'm guessing was down to them typically doing larger jobs (extensions, new builds etc...) and only being prepared to do smaller stuff if the money warranted doing it. I did manage to get a reasonable quote from one chap, and the credentials and references he provided seemed impeccable, but after accepting his quote it all went downhill and he spent the next 8 months fobbing me off with all manner of excuses as to why the start date kept changing.
I can understand why many tradesmen go where the money is, but its pretty frustrating when you are messed around repeatedly.
Wherever possible I try and do things myself now. Standards aren't comparable I'm sure, but its a lot easier to manage your own time than it is someone else's.
 
Don't use "rated people" or any of these stupid websites, they can take down bad reviews so you don't get a fair image, and tradesmen who need that kind of advertising obviously aren't very good or they'd be booked up.

Keep phoning round, ask for a full quote, get recommendations/ ask to see samples of their work.

By the sounds of it though you'll need to spend more than £2k
 
mjd said:
Sadly I think this is all too common.

I had a few builders round to quote for several jobs in one go last year. Many just quoted sky high figures which I'm guessing was down to them typically doing larger jobs (extensions, new builds etc...) and only being prepared to do smaller stuff if the money warranted doing it.
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This is my understanding. The good builders at least have more work than they can cope with, so go with the expensive jobs. Many won't even get out of bed for less than £20k. For work like this you might want to look at maintenance/small works type people.
 

Small Garden wall

Crazy paving

Extension full width of house

To a whole reroofing job, No job is too small for a reputable builder.

I consider myself a relatively good reliable builder. ( a few examples to hand from what was on my laptop) No job is too small. (If you have that attitude you're in the wrong business) I think you just need to look around for a good reliable builder who takes pride in his work. There's a lot of cowboys out there, a lot of people who are useless at everything with no qualifications etc and cant get a job elsewhere think they can swan in to the building trade because you simply dont need qualifications, but you can't. The problem is nowadays, the customers don't care if its a good or bad job, because they don't know what a good job is. They just want it doing asap. If hes a good builder, you shouldn't have to have your van plastered in advertisements etc. Be patient, someone trustworthy and reliable will be near by.
 
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I like that extension, really neat work, but do wonder why that window by the trestles wasn't move forward, must make that room dark.
 
That was the existing/still current kitchen, (sink at the window, granite worktops cut to size etc) so all was left but took the flat roof off and continued the pitch over and put the velux in and a breakfast serving hatch. Thus it being light in there now. Did the double storey extension as well a fair few years ago on the left hand side.
 
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It may also be worth looking at landscaping companies, as most should be able to do what you are asking.
 
Sorry I've been away a bit, yeah I've been trying all sorts, it's like you said though, the good builders are all booked out! I already did the donkey work and removed 3 giant skips worth of steps and clay/pebble soil!! Trust me it was a killer! It's now getting towards low temperature time, so I guess this project is going to have to wait til next year now? (with regard to an 8 inch thick slab being laid?)
cheers for the replies.
 
with regard to an 8 inch thick slab being laid?
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Nope so long as it is not raining too hard over the course of laying the concrete and a few hours after to let it cure
obviously you want the temps to be above freezing as well,but we still get a few `warm` days in a stretch even in the U.K. :D
 
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