If you’re planning to build a project, you’ll need to get a quote from a builder to know how much it will cost. However, you might be surprised to find out that some builders charge a fee for preparing a quote. This fee can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the size and complexity of the project. But why do builders charge for quotes?
To answer this question, let’s take a closer look at the process of preparing a quote. When a client asks us for some builder names to get a quote, we will provide a few names of builders we know and trust the quality of their end product. We will suggest builders who would be a good fit for the project and client. These builders are in high demand.
Once the client contacts the builders, they can make an informed decision about who they feel they will work well with and establish if they have availability to complete their project. From here, a builder can provide a guesstimate of the construction cost. If the client feels the guesstimate fits their budget and the builder can take on the job, the builder will prepare a quote.
Here’s where the quoting fee comes in. When a builder prepares a quote, they will often charge a fee to cover the time taken to prepare the quote. The preparation required to provide a client with a quote that is not a guesstimate takes many hours.
The builder needs to contact all their trades to provide a quote for their services. This includes electricians, plumbers, painters, and more. The builder will need to sit down and work out the amount of materials required, including timber for framing, nails, trusses for the roof, cladding calculations, decking, tiles, floor coverings, fixtures & fittings, temporary fencing, skip bins, and more. The builder will often spend some time following up with the trades to provide their quote for services.
By the end of this process, the builder can provide a more accurate quote to complete the project. This is important because it helps the client plan and budget for the project, and it also ensures that the builder can complete the project without running into unexpected costs.
It’s important to remember that if a builder advises they charge a quoting fee to prepare a quote, they have your best interests in mind. They wish to provide you with a quote that reflects accurate costs for the construction and see it as an investment towards your project.
In conclusion, while it might seem frustrating to have to pay a fee for a quote, it’s important to remember that the builder is investing their time and expertise to provide you with an accurate quote. This ensures that both you and the builder can move forward with the project confidently, knowing that there won’t be any unexpected costs down the line.
