Builder's pay

[donna]

The challenge with renovations is they are seldom straightforward especially with older homes or homes that have been tinkered with by the DIYer and there are so many of them here in NZ. We thought we had a renovation and ended up needing a 'rebuild' - so it's taking more than double the time and 50% more in cost.

Definitely have some contingency $$ for the unforeseen incident. For us it was extensive borer and a DIYer removing a load bearing beam and general shoddy workmanship so it was better to rip down and start over. Not sure you'd get an experienced builder committing to fixed cost - without a contract that essentially overrides it for situations that what we've experienced.

cheers,

Donna

[John the builder]

get a budget and incentivise the builder to do better and share the profit :-)

[DaveW]

quote means you are asking builder to take risk which he must cover in price.

Yes, it makes the builder more thorough in their initial scoping of the job which as a property investor is what you want. But I see you are a builder and I respect your view too, you don't have to quote work.

If, as a property investor, you get three quotations then you will soon have a good idea of the risks of taking the job because of all the detailed scoping of the quotes. It should then become apparent if there might be some hidden surprises, in which case the job can be split into two quotes. One to get to the tricky bit and then do another 3 quotations once the unknowns are known. It's the only way to protect your bottom line (as a property investor).

[John the builder]

most young builder these days dont know how to or cannot quote because they dont know how long tasks take or should. They are used to rocking up and getting time sheets clipped with no accountability and efficiency dictates.

[DaveW]

Avoid the young ones

[John the builder]

Avoid the young ones

then you get the old broken ones that are slow and stiff and only know how to charge like a roaring bull and being one was a distant memory... :-(

[DaveW]

then you get the old broken ones that are slow and stiff and only know how to charge like a roaring bull and being one was a distant memory... :-(

Time to hire a young apprentice perhaps ?