Site Work Costs?

Got a quote from a guy who came recommended to carry out proper site works on problem site to supply adequate drainage.
He also does the perc test too.
initial phone conversation, from what I described the site was between €14-1600. which seemed a good deal.
He then came out to see the site and advised it would probably be around 2k.
Now today after reviewing all the work involved he now reckons it will be more €3000 to get everything done.
Bit of a set back, especially as we're working within a budget.
Not that I doubt him or anything, he seems genuine enough.
and even offered me the chance to use my own man to carry out all the digging work to keep costs down.
but I just want a second opinion...
site is a little over an acre.
we need to :

refill old perc hole.
kill the grass (too many rocks, etc.. for mowing)
plough it
dig a 70m french drain across the site
redig percolation area
bring in gravel, clay, etc... for drainage
put down mole drains
resow the site
and finally carry out the perc. test

A good lot of work I agree.
Just wondering what people think of the 3k price tag?!

He's very confident he can get the right t's & p values we require,
bit of a gamble how and ever when you're still not guaranteed PP.

Any advice?

I've never installed a french drain myself. But I've heard of mixed success with them, especially where the ground is mainly clay or mud, rather than actual soil and stone.

How much does perc test cost where you are? Approx 700euro
a load of stone or two for french drain (200 euro each)
Dig and back fill french drain 1 day
poison grass 1 hour
transport to and from site 3 or 4 visits


Starts to add up

I know, like I say I'm just throwing this out there for re-assurance really!
it's a gamble with so much money involved, but sure PP in itself is always a gamble with all the costs involved anyway.

For all the work not inc digging:
i.e.

killing the grass, ploughing, mole drains, filling french drain, tilling, resowing
= €1700

perc test = €500

then upto me to see if i can better digging prices.

This weather's not gonna be great for ploughing?!

yeah might be worth taking advantage of the next burst of good weather. Would it be worth your while sugesting that he ll get the groundwork if you get planning as a way of lowering his price

yeah, with regard to using my contact doing the digging work, I have already suggested this to him, that he can have all the foundation work, etc...
once planning is approved.

We got septic tank supervision for E450 from a decent guy from Roscommon.

Our groundworks guy was a local put in touch with us by someone else working on the build.

We gave him a list of what we wanted done. We asked numerous times for a quote. He never wanted to do one, but get one with doing stuff and look for money.

Now he's been paid 12k to do the digging for septic tank, associated drains. Put in bolders and drainage stone for retaining a steep slope. There are a lot of things undone, he's been a nightmare to get to come back. Spent 2 months ringing him and kept getting excuses. He put in ducting for ESB with no cord and was very unhelpful when asked to do it. He did it, got it wrong, ESB wouldnt accept the string he put in. When told he sent a text telling us to do it ourselves. Now he's sent another bill including looking for payment for things like the esb duct work which had already been paid for. He used his big digger for less than a whole day and wants to bill us for 20 hours.

He seems to be double billing, treating us like a gravey train. Being deliberately vague so that nothing is clear to deal with.

It's sickening how many nightmare people are involved in building after nearly 2 years of it, it still never fails to amaze me. Most people involved in building just arent interested in doing a good job. They simply want to do as little as they can get away, leave you with a litany of jobs to finish, like open manholes and then charge you as much as they can get away with twice!.

Eve001 said:

It's sickening how many nightmare people are involved in building after nearly 2 years of it, it still never fails to amaze me.

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I sympathise with your plight, but your failure to agree a schedule of work and pricing up front has contributed to this very significantly.

The fact that he didn't provide a quote after multiple requests should have been enough of a warning sign to walk away and employ someone else.
Leo

it works both ways if no agreement on price schedule of work etc, tell him where to take his shoddy workmanship and place it in a suitable price.
Don't pay for work if it is not acceptable.

Just came across this thread

Eve001 said:

Most people involved in building just arent interested in doing a good job. They simply want to do as little as they can get away, leave you with a litany of jobs to finish, like open manholes and then charge you as much as they can get away with twice!.

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This is totally untrue.

You may have had a bad experience with 1 cowboy but you shouldn't tar all builders with the same brush

Just a quick question as I was reading your post. Does the mortgage cover site work costs? ie does one of the drawdown stages cover this part of the build operation or is that something you fund outside of the mortgage? Thanks