Bathroom quote query?

[rules&rulers]

Well this post has been answered,it would courteous if Lambchops the originator would have taken time to comment.

Unfortunately this post has been driven off topic by Motorbiking,i hope his actual driving skills are better than his quotes. https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/faq/organ-donor-register/

So is this post is closed ?

 

[motorbiking]

I'm not attacking anyone's need to make a living - Everyone is free to run their business as they choose. If you tell a customer "I'll get you a better deal with my trade discount" and they find they can easily source it significantly cheaper, then expect to get questioned. If you are up front that its the package price then it would be unreasonable to pick and choose.

 

[Phill Peck]

I'm not attacking anyone's need to make a living - Everyone is free to run their business as they choose. If you tell a customer "I'll get you a better deal with my trade discount" and they find they can easily source it significantly cheaper, then expect to get questioned. If you are up front that its the package price then it would be unreasonable to pick and choose.

Yep that's why I don't break down quotes.
The job costs £xxxx

Having said that I havnt done a bathroom for about 2 years now.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Having said that I havnt done a bathroom for about 2 years now.

Lucky bastad

 

[Twenty Four]

- tradespeople a pretty crap at sourcing good prices and often don't have the time to shop around.

Absolutely.

 

[Iamchamps]

Every item on the quote breakdown I can buy the exact same item for cheaper. As they are from what I would believe are trusted shops big names etc I doubt they are cheap knock offs being sold as the same brand.

If the bathroom fitter was straight and advised it is a package price for a reason fair enough to me I just feel I am being ripped off. I had someone do work in my ensuite a while back who I was very happy with so have contacted him. He has knocked £500 off the other guys labour quote and told me to source all the items and he will fit. Just saved myself about 2 grand.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Phill Peck]

Everyone's happy then

 

[Bosswhite]

So long as you know what to source, getting the wrong item or an obsolete item can make all the difference to whether the job gets completed to your satisfaction.
A nationwide DIY stores are renowned for selling items that become obsolete or unobtainable because they have changed their supplier in a short space of time.

 

[bernardgreen]

"I'll get you a better deal with my trade discount"

The "trade" discounts may be very similar to the discounts given to people who open a cash account.

 

[Doggit]

I quote a figure. With no breakdown.

Which is a very sensible thing to do Phill, but the tradesman in question wasn't as savvy as you, so in quoting a higher price (part by part) than the customer would normally have to pay for it, he unfortunately gave the impression that he was ripping the customer off.

Its better for the plumber too, particularly if they earn under the VAT registration threshold.

Twaddle

Not so Dan I'm afraid. If everyone was VAT registered, then there would be a level playing field, but as you can turn over £85K wthout having to register, then if a plumber always left it to the customer to get the parts, he could earn a good wage not having to register for VAT, and then he'd always be cheaper on his labour rates than you would.

At the end of the day, we don't have the time to go chasing the cheaper prices for the benefit of the customer, and although we get a trade discount, we're not going to waste it, are we, that goes towards the paperwork costs. The real problems here, is that some of the big retailers treat the trade as an easy mark, and don't bother being competative, whilst there are other outlets selling the same items at intenet prices that the customers have access to. Just as a lot of big retailers have gone out of business because they didn't change their business model against the internet companies, we may have to learn to be more flexible, and suggest that customers are free to source their own items, but the labour quote given may have to rise if problems are encountered with the customer supplied parts.

 

[AGAS]

ffs i bet the op has been trawling the net comparing parts , I'm sure anyone could find them cheaper in different places but does he really expect the plumber to do that . jesus christ the plumber even gave a total transparent receipt ( the majority wouldn't ) and does a really good job , oh ye, he's really ripping him off isn't he . whats the chances that every item is going to be cheaper than you can purchase it for ( after trawling the net ) all under one roof ,and why should he acquire these items at the same price he sells them to you . their isn't pleasing some people these days , oh the joys of being self employed . anyway , i hope you enjoy your bathroom

 

[Iamchamps]

You say it like I am bad for wanting to save some money. Sorry for not wanting to pay a ridiculous price that I myself can get much cheaper.

2 grand saving is not a little bit of cash that's quite a significant amount. My point from the post was I was led to believe people in the trade get items at a much better rate than joe public this has confirmed to me that is totally un true.

If 1 or 2 items were cheaper online I would not mind but I can buy exactly the same everything for much cheaper, in some cases of items less than half the price than he has quoted.

When I have done jobs for people in the past labour is what I earn that is for me I charge the rate I want to cover what I want to earn I don't hide it on top of the item prices. I feel I have struck a nerve here with you AGAS, to be fair I do not care I have just saved myself 2 grand for being a bit savvy and not letting someone rip me off so yes I will enjoy my bathroom thank you

 

[HERTS P&D]

Have you thought about fitting the bathroom yourself?...................lets face it, it can't be that hard.

Andy

 

[Phill Peck]

You say it like I am bad for wanting to save some money. Sorry for not wanting to pay a ridiculous price that I myself can get much cheaper.

2 grand saving is not a little bit of cash that's quite a significant amount. My point from the post was I was led to believe people in the trade get items at a much better rate than joe public this has confirmed to me that is totally un true.

If 1 or 2 items were cheaper online I would not mind but I can buy exactly the same everything for much cheaper, in some cases of items less than half the price than he has quoted.

When I have done jobs for people in the past labour is what I earn that is for me I charge the rate I want to cover what I want to earn I don't hide it on top of the item prices. I feel I have struck a nerve here with you AGAS, to be fair I do not care I have just saved myself 2 grand for being a bit savvy and not letting someone rip me off so yes I will enjoy my bathroom thank you

I think you've missed the point of what some or at least I am saying.

He won't get cheaper, the Internet shops put a stop to that.
He will be able to buy at a similar(possibly more expensive) price than you can find online.
But he will sell to you at retail.
It's how most businesses do it.

I nett every cost back and add on what I want for the job. Hourly rate/ day rate whatever is irrelevant. Your quote is made up of 2 elements, labour and materials, it doesn't matter what they add up to.

Would you have rather he had given you the nett price for the materials but his "labour" costs were £1000 dearer?

 

[Dan Robinson]

The mistake here or course is calling it labour.

Original installer at least seems to have dodged a bullet.