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Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 12:11 pm
by lutonlagerlout
my builder i have heard mixed reports
you get a lot of folk wanting stuff done for eff all
but if you get 1 decent job its worth it I suppose
my mate fred the spread does lots of little 80-120 quid jobs but reckons its worth it as it builds up his contacts for bigger stuff
LLL
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 2:15 pm
by DNgroundworks
Ye i get ya, ive had people wanting me to price for 5sqm of shingle 20 miles away lol!
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:24 pm
by local patios and driveway
Not great, people take the cheapest, dont always get the best. Same story
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:56 pm
by Dave_L
local patios and driveways wrote:Not great, people take the cheapest, dont always get the best. Same story
Yep, all they look at on a quote is the bottom right hand corner figure and NOT what is included in the job.
Pain in the arse when quoting for surfacing jobs, unless the remedials are all marked out prior to anyone measuring and quoting - it is open to interpretation somewhat. Many will just overlay over badly broken up areas etc when the proper way is to plane it out and relay it BEFORE overlaying.....
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:00 pm
by DNgroundworks
Ive just been quoting in the same way, its useful to get the leads in the first place, then i send them a proper quote/spec/schedule and not quote through the site which isnt a requirement anyway. A bit of salesmanship helps too.
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:45 pm
by Dave_L
Always have a site/customer visit if I can - you can then get a feel for the job and the client (!!) and then basically 'sell yourself' and the company.
Has worked many times for me.
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 8:59 pm
by DNgroundworks
I know Dave its a pain, on the subject of "my builder" ive had a laughable request to beat a quote for a job, get this -
55m indian stone paving with circle kit, including all excavation and prep work
Clear the site before hand of crap and demolish a small out building.
re-build and replace manholes and clay drainage runs.
raised patio with dwarf retaining wall and steps.
Concrete post and panel fencing round the lot
re-build and re-render a wall 6ft by 15 ft
Some complete nugget has quoted £2800.00 for all this - i have declined to quote....lo
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 9:01 pm
by DNgroundworks
Dave_L wrote:Always have a site/customer visit if I can - you can then get a feel for the job and the client (!!) and then basically 'sell yourself' and the company.
Has worked many times for me.
Its taken me a few years but ive got a bit of sales pitch that i use with most prospective clients, i used to hate it, being nervous and what have you, love it now best part of the job!
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:07 pm
by DNgroundworks
Jeez things are quiet, got some decent jobs coming up but a fortnight with newt to do is on the cards, ive done everything i can think of apart from knock on doors!
Got a job in february to install a railway sleeper retainer, 8ft sleepers on end x 100mtrs :p, and a gate way/entrance job - could of built a house in the time its taken to construct this beauty - the guys budget for this alone is 50k 
I fancy some quick easy jobs, a week here and a week there at 5k a pop would be grand, the stuff ive been on for the past 4 months has been mainly big stuff, labour only and nothing happens quickly enough on them sorta jobs.
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:33 pm
by dig dug dan
8ft sleepers on end x 100mtrs
blimey thats a lot of sleepers! are they old or new ones? what are you doing. trench digging and concrete them with readymix?
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:39 pm
by DNgroundworks
Brand new oak ones, the guy is the same guy who owns the car dealership and development company and the kubota diggers that ive mentioned on here before - his budget is limitless....nearly. And a good friend to boot!
Yea sort of cut and fill back to a 1mtr step, trench in front of earth step, ready mix in the bottom, sleepers in, battered back, braced with 3x2 and slate batten. I suppose it will be trial and error for a while until we get in the flow, its also curved like a massive long letter S
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:41 pm
by dig dug dan
wow! how many oak trees were felled for those?
they will be heavy too. Not sure i envy you on that job dan, but will look good when its done. photos please!
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:44 pm
by DNgroundworks
EDIT 100 feet - old money sorry, still lots though!
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:46 pm
by dig dug dan
ah! thats not so bad. still 120 sleepers though!
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:48 pm
by DNgroundworks
Planning on sitting the 8 tonner up top and slinging or using like a brick grab hanging on a chain to put them in, and have a guy up top to eye them in and me and a lad in the bottom on the concrete and bracing.
I need to post some photos actually, not done any in ages - i find it a faff