VeryMeanReversion Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 One friend is a self-employed builder, in a father-and-son business. Up until 3 months ago, he was getting work and keeping busy 90% of the time. Since then, he is only getting one day a week, demand has collapsed. However, he wont reduce his prices, doesn't see why he has too (!). It reminded me of the "my house it worth it, I'm not giving it away you know" line. All private development has now stopped in the village (South Cambs), there were four sites bought in the last couple of years that got planning permission but no building has started. Only the publicly funded sheltered housing is going ahead. The last two small developments have gone for rent rather than being sold. What's happening to developments in your area? VMR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tastingstars Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 One friend is a self-employed builder, in a father-and-son business. Up until 3 months ago, he was getting work and keeping busy 90% of the time.Since then, he is only getting one day a week, demand has collapsed. This anecdotally from a friend who lives near Aylesbury - someone who works for a well-known local builder specialising in period property work said "A year ago he was so busy that he would have known what he was doing today. Today he doesn't know what he's doing next week." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartimandua51 Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 This anecdotally from a friend who lives near Aylesbury - someone who works for a well-known local builder specialising in period property work said "A year ago he was so busy that he would have known what he was doing today. Today he doesn't know what he's doing next week." I'm gratified to know there's a builder somewhere who has the faintest idea what he's doing! Most of the ones I've experienced hadn't a clue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Peter Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 What's happening to developments in your area?VMR. I cycle past a couple of large develoments in Milton Keynes each day. As I waited at the rather poorly phased lights last night, I noticed that as new sign had sprung up from someone called Jephsons and they were doing a part (presumably) of the development, and it was for rent and intermediate rent. I may have misread 'intermediate' since it was getting dark and a bit obscured. I presume that it is something like shared ownership, Peter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joconme Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Since then, he is only getting one day a week, demand has collapsed.However, he wont reduce his prices, doesn't see why he has too (!). It reminded me of the "my house it worth it, I'm not giving it away you know" line. All private development has now stopped in the village (South Cambs), there were four sites bought in the last couple of years that got planning permission but no building has started. Only the publicly funded sheltered housing is going ahead. The last two small developments have gone for rent rather than being sold. There does seem to be a slight increase in activity amongst some of the national house builders, in that they are beginning to release plots for construction on existing developments. I suspect that this is more about ticking over than any genuine recovery though. I think a key driver for any kind of authentic recovery in the current environment must be driven by a reduction in rates / prices. All too many people and companies seem to be in denial about this. One thing is certain. Sole traders, tradesmen and companies that don't accept a'correction' is required will continue down the path of dwindling income and increasing debt until they go down the tubes. So I think an awful lot of people, like your friend and some biggies too, are going to go to the wall before every one - but every one - finally realises that survival means cutting costs, cutting rates and most importantly of all (especially for the biggies) cutting profit margins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
got2laugh Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I need some smallish jobs (each less than a days' work) doing and posted them on a website asking for quotes. Got lots of reactions, but the quotes seem ridiculously high. Only one seems reasonable so far. I want to pay a fair price, but not a ridiculous one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerJJ Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 However, he wont reduce his prices, doesn't see why he has too (!). You need to give him a lesson on basic demand and supply. Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryWeston Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 What's happening to developments in your area?VMR. A small local development near me of about 8 houses has been completly shut down for the last few months, they have built 3 houses so far and thats it, the rest of the site is just a complete mess with weeds starting to grow everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porca misèria Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 What's happening to developments in your area?VMR. Flats down the road (12 of them) recently completed. 5 new houses being built just behind my former office, which has itself just been rebuilt. Lots of works going on elsewhere locally, though I think the two really big new estates are done. And my neighbour works in construction. I recently asked him how business was, but it turns out his current work is infrastructure for south west water, so not affected by the fortunes of housebuilders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mancghirl Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 North East England coastal town - bigger developments out of (small) town are halted, no work seems to have happened on site since late last summer, partially completed developments up for sale (don't all rush at once). Woeful overpriced 'luxury' flats at 20x local average income still not selling >12 months after completion. Some of the 'luxury flats' on the high street still up for sale, but the ground floor was abandoned for months with tools left lying around. Eventually, it became a branch of Poundstretcher. So, if you want a tiny 175k flat above a shop, more than 70 miles from well paid employment, PM me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imp Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 (edited) This anecdotally from a friend who lives near Aylesbury - someone who works for a well-known local builder specialising in period property work said "A year ago he was so busy that he would have known what he was doing today. Today he doesn't know what he's doing next week." I've just bought a house in Aylesbury - 1930's so "Period" and it needs a reasonable amount of work. If he's any good, could you PM me his details? Cheers, Imp Edited March 18, 2009 by Imp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tastingstars Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I've just bought a house in Aylesbury - 1930's so "Period" and it needs a reasonable amount of work. If he's any good, could you PM me his details?Cheers, Imp I'll ask - not my builder but my mate's. I'll drop him a line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KingCharles1st Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Sometimes... Ok- price job- includes travel to and from site- spend time & petrol, maybe write and post quote. Get job travel to builders yard- petrol time w&t etc etc get goods- wait in queue for 1 hour while Bert tells Fred about the shit in the sun travel to job. petrol w&t get stuck in jam get pissed off cos punter isn't there. cant get van in because of the gardner. I could go on- Do most of job but uncover complication half way through. Have to shcedule in two extra trips out which take 1 hour each and realise job now overuns to second day I could go on... Arrive second day- do job- finish have to come back in evening to get paid- punter doesn't pay cash and gives you cheque that takes three days to clear- THATS why a lot of people can't be arsed to ****** around doing small jobs for people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Peter Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Another of the sites I pass by has changed it's sign. They still tell me that the 2009 plots have been released (wow!), but now the name on the board is Taylor Wimpey, rather than Bryant. Are those two related? Peter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeryMeanReversion Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 You need to give him a lesson on basic demand and supply. I did try. Many of you will recognise the look on peoples faces, its the one when you tell them their house price will go down, the shutters go up, blah blah blah, not listening. VMR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spark Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 One friend is a self-employed builder, in a father-and-son business. Up until 3 months ago, he was getting work and keeping busy 90% of the time.Since then, he is only getting one day a week, demand has collapsed. However, he wont reduce his prices, doesn't see why he has too (!). It reminded me of the "my house it worth it, I'm not giving it away you know" line. All private development has now stopped in the village (South Cambs), there were four sites bought in the last couple of years that got planning permission but no building has started. Only the publicly funded sheltered housing is going ahead. The last two small developments have gone for rent rather than being sold. What's happening to developments in your area? VMR. I'm looking to have some work done on my house (need a combi boiler fitted and then a kitchen and bathroom). I also need new doors and then get it fully decorated. I haven't found anybody (from personal recommendations) who wants to do the job! I have a ex-workmate who does kitchens and bathrooms and I got him up in January to give me an estimate. He told me he was fully booked until April, but said he would put together a written quote. 2 weeks later and I'm still waiting for the quote! I ring him and he says he has been very busy and will post the quote that week. It's now March and I haven't even received his quote, so I guess he isn't interested in doing the job! This guy couldn't do the boiler, so I asked an OFTEC engineer to come and give me an estimate for fitting the oil combi boiler. He said he would come out that day and provide an estimate, but he didn't show. It seems he also has enough jobs to pick and choose. :angry: A neighbour gave me the number of a joiner they know that can do the kitchen and bathroom. This guy put a kitchen in their old house, their new house and their daughter's house and they were 100% happy with his work. He came around last Thursday and said he would provide a written quote for the work. He said he is fully booked until the end of April! We are still waiting for his quote to arrive, but as he is busy I was going to give him another week before following up. There are probably builders out there who are struggling to find work, but I haven't found anybody who is struggling yet. I would, however, prefer to use either somebody who I know or somebody that has been recommended as reliable as there are so many cowboys around. My Brother is a carpenter, but he is totally flat out working a 9-5 job and is booked up at weekends for months! My Father is an electrician and he said he could do my electrical work over Easter. I thought this was going to be too late, but I still haven't secured a builder to do the kitchen and bathroom before Easter anyway! I prefer to find people who are not VAT registered - I know the 2 builders I got in are reliable, yet are fairly reasonable as they don't charge enough to exceed the VAT threshold. If anybody could recommend a good, reasonably priced and reliable builder around the NW Essex area then please let me know. I have all the kitchen/bathroom bits ready waiting to be fitted - I just need a good tradesman to fit them. I would prefer one that doesn't charge VAT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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