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House extension at the stage of going out to tender
House extension at the stage of going out to tender
We have had drawings done and planning permission granted for an L-shaped ground floor extension + converting our loft into a room. We are now at the stage of going to tender – I’ve never done this before and have no idea what I’m doing. I assume I just contact a selection of builders, show them the plans and ask them to quote – but how do I make sure that I get comparable quotes? Is there any particular lingo I need to use / things I need to be aware of before starting this process. Any guidance very gratefully received!
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2 Replies
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When going to tender, send exactly the same information to each builder so the quotes are comparable: planning and Building Regulations drawings, structural engineer’s details, and a short written inclusions schedule setting out what is and isn’t included (windows, kitchens, doors, finishes, heating, electrics, etc.). Ask for a fixed-price quotation and watch out for lots of provisional sums or vague allowances, as these can inflate costs later. Don’t just compare the final numbers—check what’s excluded, how variations are handled, and who will manage the job on site. Payments should be made in staged instalments rather than upfront, with a small retention kept back until snagging and outstanding items are completed, as this gives you protection if issues arise at the end of the build.
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Just to add onto Emma excellent summary, I would also ask for a chance to see some previous work they have done before, in either photos or being taken to a previous job site.
And secondly ask to speak to previous clients of there’s who would be willing to give them a reference.
Also from my experience do not use people off checkatrade .com and if someone is not immediately available to do your job, that’s a good sign. If they have a good reputation you might need to wait for them to start your job.
Good luck
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