If you go to www.landscapejuice.ning.com and post your requirements there are landscapers on there in Scotland who should be able to quote for your job.
That is a huge variance in the quotes so far though! I would recommend you google for a wall cost estimator and pop your requirements in. That should give you an idea of what the likely costs of the build should be and give you some idea who is nearer the mark.
Lara Warner
Warner Grounds
See what our customers say about us at Rated People
Job for a Landscaper not a brickie as Rich says. Walls /steps and paving are our bread and butter. You're likely to get a better response from them aswell. I hate it when I get asked for a breakdown it means nothing and all that matters is the overall cost. Maybe stay away from that as it can put peoples backs up as it implies they are pulling a fly one. It also makes me feel that I may have trust issues with the client and they may try and screw me. Get at least 3 quotes compare them and ask all the quetions you want and you'll get a good response. Never such as thing as a stupid question either as long as you end up with what you wanted thats what matters to a contractor.
A good way to break it down is to ask approx how much the materials will cost and how long do they think it will take.
Subtract Total A from Total B and you will get an idea of what they charge for daily labour rate.
If it seems idiotic they are taking the proverbial. If it sounds a reasonable rate...there you go.
If it takes three men 4 days to dig a hole how many days will it take.....!
I hope you realise I am female so subsequently will not undertake any work that could jeopardise
a. my nails
b. my skin (working between noon and 3 pm in sunshine will coarsen the complexion
and that I will need time off to attend the gym (the evening sessions full of sweaty sted heads is a no no)
Also I draw the line at sporting any polo shirt with a firms logo on the back.
And I really think digging for 8 hrs straight with a measly 30 mins break is just plain excessive.
Do you have any other positions?
To be fair, speaking as a customer not a tradesman, a breakdown can be useful because it enables a fairer comparison between quotes...
For example, if two quotes for the same job come in at £8K and £5K it's difficult to know which way to turn... If however the same quotes were £6K materials with £2K labour, and £3K materials and £2K labour it can easily be seen that the difference is in the materials cost, and one can ask why... is it better materials, or just dearer materials, or is is cost cutting? does one have to hire in kit and the other not... It could make the difference between going for the dearer quote or not. It's not unreasonable when potentially spending thousands of pounds to be fully informed.
i would be looking around £600 per thousand on straight walls and £900 per thousand for steps and curved walls,+ vat of course
with this level of spec i would go on recommendation regardless of price,if someone comes in cheap chances are they have mis priced it and will get in trouble
so I.E if i had quotes of 3k 6 k 7 k and 10 k i would lean towards the 6k or 7 k
if you get my drift...........
If the materials are spec'd the cost for them will be pretty much the same for all contractors. Likewise tools, I will include for plant and machinery whether I own it or hire it.
