ᐅ Building Permit Obtained – How to Request Quotes from Construction Companies?
Created on: 31 Oct 2015 14:45
2
2miam2
Hello,
we already have the building permit / planning permission. Now we are trying to get quotes from construction companies. (We know we could have left this to the architect, but we wanted to handle it ourselves!)
Our question is: How does this usually work? The first steps are already taken. We have called construction companies and asked for a quote. According to them, we should provide all available documents (floor plans, structural engineering). Do contractors need any additional documents? We also want to contract the other trades in the same way. How should we word this in the cover letter? Should the quote cover only the masonry work? SO MANY QUESTIONS
we already have the building permit / planning permission. Now we are trying to get quotes from construction companies. (We know we could have left this to the architect, but we wanted to handle it ourselves!)
Our question is: How does this usually work? The first steps are already taken. We have called construction companies and asked for a quote. According to them, we should provide all available documents (floor plans, structural engineering). Do contractors need any additional documents? We also want to contract the other trades in the same way. How should we word this in the cover letter? Should the quote cover only the masonry work? SO MANY QUESTIONS
Sebastian79 schrieb:
This definitely can’t be judged as a general rule – and you haven’t completed any work yet, have you?
I would rather wonder why your architect offers such cheap companies and you can’t get the same – usually they don’t have any connection with each other.
I only chose one company recommended by the architect (window manufacturer) – not deliberately, but it just happened that way.No one of us can say for sure if this applies universally, since we all only have one single project or, relatively, just a few projects in total.
As it turned out, all the companies recommended by the architect have a good reputation and decent references.
I will report back once the first things are finished. For example, the structural engineer has calculated well so far, so there’s no need for additional structural reinforcement or a photovoltaic system.
S
Sebastian791 Nov 2015 16:22It is important that the references are accurate.
Except for one case, I never chose the cheapest option – for the roof, I even selected the most expensive one, and I was not disappointed.
Except for one case, I never chose the cheapest option – for the roof, I even selected the most expensive one, and I was not disappointed.
Hello,
I wanted to give you an update. We are in contact with the construction companies. Unsure about the scope of work and so on, we discussed it briefly with our architect. Do we need a detailed scope of work? The architect’s reply: The way we are doing it now is fine. He recommends this approach. Some companies work with a detailed scope of work, but then there is hardly any room for ideas. We are currently using a free consultation and can incorporate ideas. Since every construction company has the same documents, they also have the same measurements and so on, and submit their bids based on that. The first appointments with the construction companies are set. Things are moving forward... You’ll hear from me!
I wanted to give you an update. We are in contact with the construction companies. Unsure about the scope of work and so on, we discussed it briefly with our architect. Do we need a detailed scope of work? The architect’s reply: The way we are doing it now is fine. He recommends this approach. Some companies work with a detailed scope of work, but then there is hardly any room for ideas. We are currently using a free consultation and can incorporate ideas. Since every construction company has the same documents, they also have the same measurements and so on, and submit their bids based on that. The first appointments with the construction companies are set. Things are moving forward... You’ll hear from me!
N
nordanney2 Nov 2015 17:12What kind of offer should the construction companies provide you with? A complete turnkey house or just the shell?
How are the construction companies supposed to know what you want or need without a detailed scope of work? I still don’t understand your approach. The architect doesn’t advise you (after all, they are well paid for that) and passes the work on to other companies that are supposed to advise you for free. Really strange...
How are the construction companies supposed to know what you want or need without a detailed scope of work? I still don’t understand your approach. The architect doesn’t advise you (after all, they are well paid for that) and passes the work on to other companies that are supposed to advise you for free. Really strange...
Hello,
I am also skeptical. Since you have never done something like this before, it is quite possible that you will encounter problems at some point.
Have you at least received a list of which trades need to be contracted or put out to tender? Have you considered all the tasks (including subcontracted work) that need to be carried out? When I think about the work the heating and plumbing company did alone, I probably would have forgotten half of it in the tender documents (and that’s despite the fact that I only saw a small part of it because I was at work).
A friend of ours who is currently building his own house is a site manager. I trust that he knows what to watch out for and which services to require. Regarding your original question, I think problems could arise. Sorry.
If you receive three different proposals from three companies within the same trade (basic execution plus an additional idea), can you really judge (beyond a gut feeling) which idea makes sense, whether the effort and benefit are in a good balance, or if you are being sold an extra service that looks impressive on paper but won’t deliver the desired effect in reality? If you have an idea (e.g., rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing) and two companies would implement it for price X (since that is what you want), but a third company advises against it because, based on their experience, it is not sensible—how do you decide? Do you choose the practical and sensible option, or the “window dressing”?
I am also skeptical. Since you have never done something like this before, it is quite possible that you will encounter problems at some point.
Have you at least received a list of which trades need to be contracted or put out to tender? Have you considered all the tasks (including subcontracted work) that need to be carried out? When I think about the work the heating and plumbing company did alone, I probably would have forgotten half of it in the tender documents (and that’s despite the fact that I only saw a small part of it because I was at work).
A friend of ours who is currently building his own house is a site manager. I trust that he knows what to watch out for and which services to require. Regarding your original question, I think problems could arise. Sorry.
If you receive three different proposals from three companies within the same trade (basic execution plus an additional idea), can you really judge (beyond a gut feeling) which idea makes sense, whether the effort and benefit are in a good balance, or if you are being sold an extra service that looks impressive on paper but won’t deliver the desired effect in reality? If you have an idea (e.g., rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing) and two companies would implement it for price X (since that is what you want), but a third company advises against it because, based on their experience, it is not sensible—how do you decide? Do you choose the practical and sensible option, or the “window dressing”?
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