Once you have decided to get some building work done on your property, the first step is to get quotes from builders for comparison, but how do you decide on this is fully down to you. There is no right or wrong answer to this. It is all down to what and how you feel is going to be best for you and also most comfortable to you too. No building project is ever the same after all.
A key point to note
Builders in Bristol will have different pricing methods, supplier costs, labour rates, hire costs / plant ownership etc so quotes will differ. They will also have very likely their own service offerings too. No builder in Bristol is ever going to be the same in the sense of this. However, we find the vast majority of builders and their sub-contractors to be decent, honest people. Also ones who take pride in their work.
Pricing
When analyzing pricing and quality among builders, there can seem to be vast differences in pricing. So how does that translate into quality differences? Surely something is driving the pricing differences. With literally thousands of different options on a single residential project, it is difficult to explain without a real-world example. In this case study, “How to Compare Pricing among Builders”, we examine a real-world example of two different homes to see the differences.
In this example, one home is being offered for considerably less than the other. Although there are many variables behind the walls, this study addresses only what can be seen on the interior and exterior of the home. In the end, this comparison should bring to light the differences in pricing among builders and quoted prices.
Other points to note
There are some out-of-pocket costs that can be left off of the initial quoted price. This is what makes the cost per square foot sound much lower. Things like architect fees, engineering, pool, landscaping, tap fees and permitting fees, can easily add up to £50/sq ft.
In fact, the going rate for just the Architect typically ranges from 10% – 16% of the total project cost. So just be aware that you need an apples to apples comparison to really know the numbers. So, what happens to nice folks who think they’re getting the deal of a lifetime with these bargain basement prices? Unfortunately, it is a frustrating experience that leads to a product that has mis-matched bargain basement materials. This is with a few expensive upgrades here and there. These are ones usually that the client just couldn’t live without.
In detail
Plus, the experience is one of ongoing arguing with the architect and builder that “you told me” that these things were all going to be included, even though they somehow didn’t make it into the final construction documents or my plans. It is a long, frustrating road that can result in costly project overruns, a strain on all your personal relationships, and valuable time.
Overall
The other thing to consider is what is behind the walls. If price is more important than quality, then what is behind the walls may very well be compromised. The Architect on a residential project doesn’t usually specify what is behind the walls, and yet those are important decisions. It is for this reason, that we created the Design-Build experience where only one company manages both design and construction. In doing so, the conflict is removed making the process much more enjoyable for everyone.