"Dave" wrote in message
...

"Mike Taylor" wrote in
message ...
Can you please explain why you will be "paying over the top"?
In what way will this happen?

When I last had work done I spoke to the various guys that the builder had
brought in and found that there was a difference in the rate I was being
charged and the rate that they would have charged if they were working
direct. In particular, the guy who did the windows apparently had to give
a
sizeable "bung" (his word) to the builder.
I know of people who say they saved up to half the builder quote by
managing
their own builds.
It would be good to hear some first hand experiences.

Dave S



You *may* save some money - if you can cope with the higher stress levels
involved.

Don't forget, though, that it's all down to you. If the windows supplied by
the window man don't fit the hole left by the builder, it's *your* problem.
If you have the pay the plasterer to wait around because the electrician
hasn't finished on time, it's *your* problem. Etc.

If you employ a builder to manage the lot, all this becomes *his* problem.

When I had an extension built last year, I did the design and got it through
planning on my own, and then drew the detailed construction drawings (with
help from various books plus a very obliging BCO) - but employed a builder
to do all the work (except the electrics, which i did myself). In addition
to what he did himself, the builder was responsible for scaffolding,
roofing, plastering, carpentry etc. (there was no plumbing involved).

This arrangement worked very well, and we are very pleased with the result.

Roger