Everything you’d want from an estimating service
You want experienced building estimators who have estimated a wide range of building projects. You want good attention to detail. Accuracy. Professionalism. Value for money. That’s what HBXL’s Estimating Service has promoted since their launch in 2012. The service is used by small to medium sized builders, self-builders, architects, as well as a number of Builders Merchants across the UK. They dedicate one estimator to a project from start to finish. The client receives a comprehensive Estimate Pack with an estimate, customer quote, management documents, such as material order schedules and build programme.
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Highly experienced
HBXL uses estimators with experience in construction. One estimator works on one job at a time. They will see the estimate through from beginning to end. This is different to many estimating services. Others often spread a job between at least two people in order to hit very tight deadlines. HBXL gives a longer lead time for continuity and accuracy.
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Accuracy is number one
HBXL uses EstimatorXpress, the UK’s leading residential estimating software. Launched 20 years it is considered the leading method of estimating for residential construction projects. The software, which has advanced extensively over the years, uses hundreds of estimating calculators to arrive at 100% accurate costs and has been used to price up Billions £ worth of building work.
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Personalised service
Users of the HBXL Estimating Service can have direct contact with the estimator assigned to their project. And rather than making any assumptions to try and speed up the process, estimators speak with customers about any queries and also make suggestions based on their building experience. The large number of repeat customers indicates the success of this approach.
An estimating service always on hand
You send the experienced estimators your building plans and they will give you a delivery date and a fixed priced quotation for completing the estimate and quotation. One estimator will concentrate all their efforts on your estimate - it doesn’t get split out. And there are no short cuts. They’ll scrutinise the plans and work with a huge choice of materials and the latest prices from across the UK.
How does it work?
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What do they need from you?
Customers should supply proposed floor plans elevation plans, plus existing plans (for extensions, loft or garage conversions), and any relevant specification notes and/or tender documents. The files are emailed or sent via the drag and drop uploader in the company website. The estimators examine the material and then confirm the no-obligation estimating fee and delivery date.
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What comes with the estimate?
The pack consists of the estimate, customer quotation and schedule of estimate assumptions., plus detailed cost reports by build phase and resource type, as well as schedules (materials/labour/plant). You’ll also receive a suggested build programme (Gantt chart).
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Can the Estimate be personalised?
You can provide your own labour rates and mark-up percentage as well as any specific specification detail. The HBXL Estimating Service will also add your company details and the client’s, and if you provide it, the customer’s company logo as well.
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What are the costs?
HBXL make it clear on their website and elsewhere that the price list is a guide and each job is priced on a job by job basis. Extensions up to 25m2 cost £299 if you supply Building Reg Drawings or £249 with planning drawings only. New Builds up to 100m2 cost £349 with Building Reg drawings or £299 with only the planning drawings.
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What is the lead time?
HBXL don’t offer a 24-hour or 48-hour service. They aim to deliver smaller jobs in 3-4 days, on average. Larger jobs they state will take 7-10 days. The company claims to have always hit its deadlines. They don’t promote themselves as the quickest estimating service available in the UK. The focus is on accuracy.