new build plumbing

[adrianfs1]

hi all, been asked to price a job for all the plumbing in a new build 3 bed house, great, not, the builder tells me he has no specific plans for his plumbing needs, no drawings, nothing, how is it going to be possible to give him any kind of price, im thinking this might be a no goer, any ideas.

 

[that bloke.]

what stage is the build at now?

 

[adrianfs1]

building is completely watertight, no stud work carried out yet, all drains done, just a shell really, ground floor screeded, first floor joists in but not boarded, incoming water supply in kitchen area with stop tap fitted. stud work going up next week, he has plans for all rooms but no plans for 1st fix plumbing.

 

[Toddyplumb]

All the new builds we have done never had a first fix plan. Does he know where appliances and sanitary ware are going ?
He gives you that , you first fix , he later moves stuff , you charge for moving etc

 

[adrianfs1]

yes, he has a good idea where all aps are going, ive only ever done one new build complete, but the builder supplied plans for every pipe route along with all dimensions,

 

[tamz]

You don't get house plans with pipe runs on. They usually show boiler and hwc position but sometimes not. If you are lucky you will be able to make out where the stacks are to run and maybe a schematic of the drainage (usually totally useless). You are the plumber. You decide where the pipes go.
The sanitaryware layout is shown but as Toddy said that will probably change so charge accordingly if it does. Always ask before you start if anything is changing. It is easier to do it once than change it.
Read the notes down the right side for anything that concerns your work.

 

[Toddyplumb]

NYorks is not too far away from us , we will come and do it if you want

 

[tamz]

Also most importantly. Take regular stage payments throughout the work. Every builder i ever did work for bumped me for something at some point.

 

[adrianfs1]

do you guys suggest a day rate rather than a fixed price plus contingencies, i think day rate might be suited, oh i dont know, i think ill pay him a visit tomorrow and have a good chat and maybe do some plans of my own, its difficult when there are no internal walls up.cheers guys.

 

[tamz]

Yet to meet a builder who will go with a day rate unless you are cheap as chips. He will be looking for a total cost. If you are supplying get it invoiced as soon as the materials are on site. If it gets nicked or damaged it is your pocket it comes from. Plumbing heating drainage rainwater and leadwork should work out at around 2 weeks work for 2 men spread out over a couple of months on a 3 bed 2 bath.

First fix 2 days
Rainwater 1 day
Internal drainage 1 day
Leadwork 1 day (if it is just valleys, aprons and skews etc)
Finishing 5 days.
You can usually do it a lot quicker than that but it depends how fast and how experienced you are.

It is actually easier to do before the internal walls go up.

 

[Toddyplumb]

That list from Tamz is about spot on and you can ask for payment at each one. Dont underestimate the finishing and how often you can be held up onit by others !

 

[adrianfs1]

thanks tamz, been round this morning, much clarified, i think about 3 weeks 2 men which includes tiling half way up walls in bathroom and en-suite and fitting splashbacks in kitchen, thanks again to all for all advice

 

[so-solar]

Ask for a heating schematic, this will show you the heating layout! surely he has had the heating system system designed?
If they have a fllor plan, which they will need for the stud work layout then this will show the bathroom/en-suite layout
You say the drainage is in place and it has been screeded, therefore there is a drawing that the groundworkers worked from,
Not to sure what builders you have been working for tamz, but every house type i have ever done has always had heating schematics,drinage layout and most certainly bathroom layouts, how on earth can you design a house without producing plans?

 

[Gray0689]

Ask for a heating schematic, this will show you the heating layout! surely he has had the heating system system designed?
If they have a fllor plan, which they will need for the stud work layout then this will show the bathroom/en-suite layout
You say the drainage is in place and it has been screeded, therefore there is a drawing that the groundworkers worked from,
Not to sure what builders you have been working for tamz, but every house type i have ever done has always had heating schematics,drinage layout and most certainly bathroom layouts, how on earth can you design a house without producing plans?

I'm with tamz never had a plumbing drawing not on domestic

 

[so-solar]

you have never had a heating schematic? bathroom layout or drainage layouts?

What builders are you working for?