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Hi All
I am hoping for some opinions about resolving a cost issue with a contractor that has largely completed an engineered wood floor install.
Background is its part of a large extension project. 125m2 of good quality engineered wood floor installed to a well prepared subfloor - part new screed and the majority of the rest on newly laid caber floor (replaced old floor boards). The area is 5 large rooms (one very large - the extension itself) and its all square or rectangular rooms other than one slightly angular porch area just inside the front door. Skirting boards were 80% off with others refitting after the floor was fitted. 20% required undercutting
I was quoted 30m2 so £3,750 for a "full stick down" - no mention of separate cost for any materials - I purchased and paid separately for the wood flooring. I have this in a whatsapp message. I now appreciate now I should have confirmed "all inclusive?" but I didn't and logically there may be some extra costs as a job progresses which I would accept
With one room to go (about 14m2) I received an invoice for c£6,250 and have since been told a further invoice to complete for £600 will follow - so £6,850. So £3,100 or 83% more than the quote.
The explanation I have been given is that the 30m2 is labour for fitting only and that approx. £2k of materials is extra. The bulk of the extra costs is sikabond adhesive - 10 x 13kg tins at £125.99 each) but there's also nearly £500 for 4 tins of Sika MB primer some Sika rapid DPM and a small amount of latex.
There's also £8-900 for attending to take moisture readings of the screed before the job started, a bit of subfloor work and covering the floor with a carboard protection as there is skirting reinstall and decorating work to follow on. Some of this seems a bit pricey but I can largely reconcile myself with these items - its the core labour and materials I'm struggling with
I have done some research (belatedly) and I've been provided with info/invoices by the fitter that seems to support the cost of the materials though to me its a lot of money. If you take the stated £2k cost of the materials out of the £3,750 quoted, the price remaining looks a bit cheap. On the other hand, if £3,750 is really just the labour, its taken him about 4 longish days (call it 5 days) and I think he might have 2 more to finish up. £3,750/7 days = £535 a day which looks very expensive!
The fitter has taken some responsibility "I feel bad about it" for not being clear on pricing and we had a very amicable conversation about trying to reach an agreement but its clearly difficult for either of us to be completely objective.
So my questions are
-what is a reasonable labour charge for 7 days work for a skilled wooden floor fitter?
- does £2k of materials (excluding the floor itself) seem sensible for sticking down 125m2 of engineered wood floor (it works out as 16m2). The fitter keeps telling me he has used a "full trowel method" which is not to be confused with with using a mastic gun and glue from a tube/sausage which is a lot cheaper but, I'm told, will be prone to issues later - again a choice and conversation which should have occurred at the start!
Legally I don't think I am liable to pay for the materials as it was not presented when I was given the price. However, I do want to resolve this amicably and fairly. The fitter has admitted he was at fault for not being clear and I think there's an arrangement where I will pay more than quoted, but not £3,750 fitting plus £2k of materials.
Any opinions or advice very welcome.
If anyone is reading this ahead of a similar project - its not as simple as sticking the floor down! Ask about method and materials - it seems it makes a big difference!
Thanks in advance.
I am hoping for some opinions about resolving a cost issue with a contractor that has largely completed an engineered wood floor install.
Background is its part of a large extension project. 125m2 of good quality engineered wood floor installed to a well prepared subfloor - part new screed and the majority of the rest on newly laid caber floor (replaced old floor boards). The area is 5 large rooms (one very large - the extension itself) and its all square or rectangular rooms other than one slightly angular porch area just inside the front door. Skirting boards were 80% off with others refitting after the floor was fitted. 20% required undercutting
I was quoted 30m2 so £3,750 for a "full stick down" - no mention of separate cost for any materials - I purchased and paid separately for the wood flooring. I have this in a whatsapp message. I now appreciate now I should have confirmed "all inclusive?" but I didn't and logically there may be some extra costs as a job progresses which I would accept
With one room to go (about 14m2) I received an invoice for c£6,250 and have since been told a further invoice to complete for £600 will follow - so £6,850. So £3,100 or 83% more than the quote.
The explanation I have been given is that the 30m2 is labour for fitting only and that approx. £2k of materials is extra. The bulk of the extra costs is sikabond adhesive - 10 x 13kg tins at £125.99 each) but there's also nearly £500 for 4 tins of Sika MB primer some Sika rapid DPM and a small amount of latex.
There's also £8-900 for attending to take moisture readings of the screed before the job started, a bit of subfloor work and covering the floor with a carboard protection as there is skirting reinstall and decorating work to follow on. Some of this seems a bit pricey but I can largely reconcile myself with these items - its the core labour and materials I'm struggling with
I have done some research (belatedly) and I've been provided with info/invoices by the fitter that seems to support the cost of the materials though to me its a lot of money. If you take the stated £2k cost of the materials out of the £3,750 quoted, the price remaining looks a bit cheap. On the other hand, if £3,750 is really just the labour, its taken him about 4 longish days (call it 5 days) and I think he might have 2 more to finish up. £3,750/7 days = £535 a day which looks very expensive!
The fitter has taken some responsibility "I feel bad about it" for not being clear on pricing and we had a very amicable conversation about trying to reach an agreement but its clearly difficult for either of us to be completely objective.
So my questions are
-what is a reasonable labour charge for 7 days work for a skilled wooden floor fitter?
- does £2k of materials (excluding the floor itself) seem sensible for sticking down 125m2 of engineered wood floor (it works out as 16m2). The fitter keeps telling me he has used a "full trowel method" which is not to be confused with with using a mastic gun and glue from a tube/sausage which is a lot cheaper but, I'm told, will be prone to issues later - again a choice and conversation which should have occurred at the start!
Legally I don't think I am liable to pay for the materials as it was not presented when I was given the price. However, I do want to resolve this amicably and fairly. The fitter has admitted he was at fault for not being clear and I think there's an arrangement where I will pay more than quoted, but not £3,750 fitting plus £2k of materials.
Any opinions or advice very welcome.
If anyone is reading this ahead of a similar project - its not as simple as sticking the floor down! Ask about method and materials - it seems it makes a big difference!
Thanks in advance.
