One of the most obvious things you need to consider when thinking about employing an Auckland builder is the price. However, it can sometimes be hard to understand each of the Auckland builder quotes. Working out how they compare especially if you have never done a renovation, house extension or new build before.
Here are a few things you should look for when comparing quotes and deciding which is best for your budget:
Auckland Builder Quotes
Fixed or Changeable?
Some companies will offer a fixed price for a particular job. This means they have considered your plans and how much it will cost and then quoted a price they think is reasonable.
The benefit of a fixed price is just that – it is fixed. If work runs over schedule or materials are more expensive, the building firm must deal with the cost. The downside of a fixed price build is that the builder may give you a more expensive quote just if any of those things happen. This means you may end up paying over the odds.
If your quote is not a fixed price quote, make sure you talk to the builder beforehand about dealing with additional costs. You do not want to be left with a hefty unexpected bill at the end.
Apples with apples
When comparing the quotes you receive, you need to make sure you are comparing similar things.
One price might look cheap at face value. If the quote only includes some of the work or uses lower quality products, then it might not be as good as it seems.
Look carefully at what each quote includes. Make sure you are comparing like for like. Look for a quote that is comprehensive and competitive rather than simply cheapest.
Provisional costs
Provisional costs are listed when the builder doesn’t know the exact price of an aspect of your plans.
These items will have an estimated cost based on the limited information the builder has or their experience but are likely to change as the project goes on.
Examples of these include:
- Estimating the cost of fittings for a room like a bathroom.
- If you haven’t yet specified actual items
- The cost of earthworks, which a builder may estimate, increases if a problem such as difficult soil is found once the work starts.
The more provisional costs there are in a quote, the more it is likely to change and potentially get more expensive as the build develops.
One of the best ways to ensure you get a competitive quote is to include as much detail as possible in your plans. For example, including electrical and plumbing plans can help a builder know exactly how much work these parts of the job will entail. Similarly, listing specific fixtures and fittings, rather than just writing “bathroom fittings". Giving more details will enable the builder to cost more accurately the job and lead to fewer provisional costs.
While there is always likely to be a little difference in the quotes you receive, reputable building firms shouldn’t differ wildly in their assessment of cost. If one quote does seem significantly cheaper or more expensive, you should look at it carefully to see why.
If you are unsure about reading the quote, then ask someone you trust in the building industry. Or at least someone good with figures to go through the documents with you.
It may seem tedious to compare quotes so carefully. You are potentially about to spend a large amount of money with the builder you choose. So it is important to ensure you are getting value for money.