Builder Issue - thoughts please

[tul]

Hi

I would welcome any thoughts on my situation with my builder.

I'm currently having a kitchen extension built. My builder has caused all sorts of delays with feeble excuses, and between the beginning of May and mid September only did 8 days work on it.

He has now told me that because ALL building materials have gone up by 40 - 50%, he is going to have to pass on that extra cost to me. I have spoken to the supplier where he's getting most of the materials from and they say yes things have gone up but not everything and definitely not by 40 50%, and they've only gone up in the last 8 weeks. If my builder hadn't created a 4 month delay on the job then those increases wouldn't have impacted it. They've now been back working on it for 3 weeks. He's coming to see me tomorrow to present the new costs to me.

I would welcome any thoughts on where I stand and what I can do. I certainly don't want to stop the job and get a new builder.

Thanks.

[KidKruger]

Any increases in cost must be itemised, ie. price now per pack of X or Y.

What you?ll have trouble establishing is the previous price of same item(s).

Therefore the revised overall estimate (a net increase) should reflect materials price increases, perhaps with those going up in price highlighted.

Trawling back over the last few months will get you nowhere now, too late.

If the builders were slipping in attendance earlier in year that needed to be addressed then IMO.

[KidKruger]

But 40-50% as an overall increase is extreme, varying products have increased to varying degrees.

For instance certain stud wall timbers I?ve been using since March have increased 20% from my outlet.

[JonasMac]

Tul - Clearly a difficult situation - I was involved in a situation sort of like you describe during the first lockdown . I was lucky to have someone around to give me advice and keep my head straight at the most difficult time , I wanted to react furiously to the builder but this person ( who wasn't involved in building ) but kept asking me what outcome I wanted at each stage ,and helped me frame my reactions/responses .

It sounds positive that you don't want to employ another builder .

Maybe not too helpful , but it would be good to know how your meeting with the builder went.

[tul]

Thanks for your response.

[tul]

Thanks for your message. The discussion still hasn?t happened yet!

[Dulwich handy]

I'm a builder myself

materials overspent yes

but delay cost is a no when it comes to clients paying for it

yes if 2 - 3days delay or reasonable delay when stuff goes bum up... I'd ask client to pay and say why if he understands and agree I'd be thankful if not then because of the bond and respect I'd cough up my time and cash to satisfy in return for future work and word of mouth = respect = client feeds my family at the end...

however price agreed is price to be paid (yet again material cost can not give you a reason to dispute... Time frame does!!!)

been there than all andvknowvthatvclient can get fury moments when budged is not enough and the work drags up.... you should see receipts for materials and see if they are actually being used at your place (tip) delay is something you should tell your builder to eat at his cost.

if things go wrong listen to alternative rather than coughing up more and more into project you can't see the end of