Is This A Normal Way To Quote For Building Work These Days? I’m Baffled!!

[Smowball]

We need our decking area in garden replaced as it is starting to rot. The options that we were deciding were to either remove existing rotten  decking, & replace with composite decking, or to  still remove existing decking but replace with paving slabs. Decided to get several quotes to compare. Today one builder turned up to look at job. We discussed all options, he took measurements he needed, said he would give a price for both options(I assumed he would ask for specific requirements as to exact type of slabs at a later date but that this price would be to give me a good idea). Was v happy with what he seemed to know & the details etc, his attitude, politeness, everything. When he left MrSmow said to me how much do u reckon these quotes are gona be then.....I said not sure but I reckon..... and said  a couple  of prices. This eve I get a message from him, saying was nice to meet this morning etc & that he had compiled a couple of prices for me. Both listed what job involved - removing, laying, disposing of rubbish etc etc. Slab price was a couple of hundred more than replacement decking, but the figures were almost exactly what I'd estimated. I was thrilled, & decided I'd really like him to take on the work if all ok. Then I looked again at his quotes. At the v end of both it said (materials to be supplied by client). So I messaged him back & said I was confused, are his quotes for labour only?? And he said yes. So I said what's the logic in me getting a builder to quote for a job & he doesn't supply the actual main item which is the decking or the slabs??and he said well he could easily supply them but the price would be on top!! So I just replied why didn't you just do a quote including them?? 
im completely baffled now...... is this normal??

[Buenchico]

I've no idea about whether or not it's 'normal' but I can certainly see that it's 'logical'.

These paving slabs work out at £19.75 per square metre
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Marshalls-Richmond-Smooth-Natural-Paving-Slab---450-x-450-x-32mm/p/144650
whereas these cost nearly 8 times as much at £153.33 per square metre
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Marshalls-Sawn-Sandstone-Smooth-Buff-Multi-Paving-Slab---600-x-600-x-22mm/p/175376
 

The builder is simply saying "It doesn't bother me in the least as to which slabs you choose.  That's up to you.  It's the same amount of work for me either way, so I'll simply quote for the labour involved and leave you to pay for the materials".

[Smowball]

I see what you're saying. I just wanted an idea as to what the whole job would be, as at this moment I havent a clue what  on earth the materials would cost!

[barry1010]

Have a look at the Wickes or B&Q websites to get an idea of prices.

If you see what you'd like, send him the link and ask him to cost up the materials. Be aware the cost of materials has rocketed over the past couple of years

[douglas9401]

I have a few slabs left over that are going on Freecycle but you can have first shout if you like.

 

[Smowball]

Ok guys, I've messaged him again - he basically said as you've all said, that prices for slabs for example can vary from £1.50 to £50 per slab, and that decking can range from £5-£55 per plank length ( roughly, not exact!). So he said if I give him an idea of budget on materials, then he will try and  rework labour cost and see what he can do to make it a better price for me.

[quizman55]

A lot of builders quote like this now as the prices of materials can suddenly increase without warning, especially timber, etc. It all started during the Covid epidemic when building materials were harder to source and prices changed daily/weekly, so if a quote included materials then changed because the prices had gone up customers were not happy. So the builders usually have the customer to supply the materials then there is no cónfusion. Also you will probably find they won't start a job until the materials are on site.

[ubasses]

This is what we have always done, gone out and chosen what we want then, if we could not do the job ourselves, invite a couple of tradesmen to give us quotes for the work.

 

[barry1010]

My neighbour has an imprinted concrete patio that looks much better than I imagined. Few years old now and, of course, weed free.  As it's not driven on it should last many years.

[1ozzy]

You chose the materials you want and how you want it built Smow.

I'm sure the builder will comply, somehow 🤔

[Smowball]

Ok, feeling better as working price out with this guy, though I actually already have another builder booked in for tomorrow to do another quote. Will be interesting to see how he does it. 🤔

[Old_Geezer]

IMO I think the builder should have made it blatantly obvious he was intending to quote for labour only.

 

TBH I'd have expected you both to discuss the materials you wanted, most likely with the builder showing examples (even if they were simply photographs from catalogues etc.). They are the experts/professionals and should lead the conversation over what's needed and information/advice on price/quality of options.

[Smowball]

Actually  I agree with you OG.

[Ellipsis]

Builders who have a taxable turnover of less than £90,000 have no legal requirement to register for VAT.  So small builders generally will get you to buy all the materials directly, rather than them buying them on your behalf.

[The Builder]

When pricing, calculating the labour element is the easy bit. Meticulously working out material prices takes up around 90% of the time to form a quote.

A lot of builders  lack simple psychology. It's absolutely no use giving a sum which then has to be increased well beyond that when materials are added. The simple solution is that a notional price for materials cost should always be included.

Dead simple. It's called a 'Provisional Sum.' Labour is fixed. Materials and sundries will depend on customer preference.

As I said, it's easy enough. Yer man has obviously just chosen the easy bit  🙄

[Prudie]

It might not help but we had a rotting wooden deck, about 4m x 5m, removed and replaced with a composite deck (having chosen the colour we wanted) and included 8 uplighter spots on the edge and it was about £4500 in total. Maybe we were overcharged, I don't care now, the composite deck is 3 years old and still looks brand new and also looks like wood unless you inspect it closely.

[brainiac]

I would make sure you go to see at least one similar job he has completed and talk to the owner