Non London builder work in London?

[Dougalmcdougall]

Hi, this is a question to see if anyone does this or knows people that do.

I am looking to do a ground floor extension in North London and having spoken to local architects including the one who submitted my plans I have an idea of the very rough cost per sq m to build (~£1700). However, I have had the two nearest well rated local builders round to give me an estimate and they are saying it will be between 3-4 times this as they have just said to do this it will be roughly £X (and that is base build excluding all finishes and fittings, windows, doors) My architect brushes it off that there is a going rate in the area and if they don’t do yours for that they will do someone else’s. He still says the rate he initially quoted is the trade standard though (is it?)

So my thoughts are do people ever get builders from other parts of the UK to work on Jobs? Pay the going rate per man for the local area (add on a good premium for the hassle+travel, put them up locally) as I reckon I would still be massively cheaper than what I am being told by my local builders?

In sum, my budget was plenty for the sq m rate plus all the additional stuff but to multiply it by 4 and then add on fittings etc as that is just base build - and I can’t get close to affording it.

Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly welcome.

D

 

[^woody^]

If you get a jolly northerner from the village, who normally works for £50 a day and a steak pie, he won't be working for that if you transport him down to the smoke. He will want the going rate for that area, and in any case, all the materials, fuel and hire costs will be at the local pricing too.

We get transient contractors from around the country on large or specialist works, but the economies won't work for a small extension and there always tends to be a premium for working away from home.

 

[Nige F]

Woody is so right =maybe it's easier from N. of London , but it's a 3 hour return journey averaging 30mph on main roads to S. London from Sussex. So at any rate you'd have to add half a day's wages per day plus 100miles travel. Live in London pay London rates