Is there a standard contract/spec to use when re-plumbing a house?

[r_c]

I am about to have all the plumbing in a house installed. By this I mean:

• new boiler
• new unvented hot water cylinder
• new radiators
• new heating pipes throughout
• new bathrooms
• new UFH
• etc, etc.

I am in the process of getting a quotes for the work. I know simple things like where I want the radiators, boiler and cylinder to go and that I want all pipes in cold areas to be insulated with polyethylene insulation, insulating values for all sinks, cisterns, etc. And I will listen to the plumber's recommendation for heating system and boiler required.

But I was wondering if there was a 'standard' contract out there that I can use to help me ensure that work is done to a certain level? And specify how staged payments should work, final payments, snagging, guarantees of work, etc.

This website (Paving Expert) has examples of specs to use for paving. And that made me think that maybe there might be something for plumbing.

My problem is that 1) I cant specify what I don't know and 2) I don't know what needs to be specified (e.g. insulate with polyethylene not felt).

Is there anything out there to help me, the home owner, come up with a useful spec / contract?

 

[AGAS]

.

 

[Aquaheat]

I am about to have all the plumbing in a house installed. By this I mean:

• new boiler
• new unvented hot water cylinder
• new radiators
• new heating pipes throughout
• new bathrooms
• new UFH
• etc, etc.

I am in the process of getting a quotes for the work. I know simple things like where I want the radiators, boiler and cylinder to go and that I want all pipes in cold areas to be insulated with polyethylene insulation, insulating values for all sinks, cisterns, etc. And I will listen to the plumber's recommendation for heating system and boiler required.

But I was wondering if there was a 'standard' contract out there that I can use to help me ensure that work is done to a certain level? And specify how staged payments should work, final payments, snagging, guarantees of work, etc.

This website (Paving Expert) has examples of specs to use for paving. And that made me think that maybe there might be something for plumbing.

My problem is that 1) I cant specify what I don't know and 2) I don't know what needs to be specified (e.g. insulate with polyethylene not felt).

Is there anything out there to help me, the home owner, come up with a useful spec / contract?

Yep, a good heating engineer. He will/should go through with you and listen to what you require. A design will then be created to suit your requirements and then be put to you. As a design service you may be expected to pay for this but is normally taken from the job cost should you choose them.

 

[dilalio]

Do you have an architect involved in the project? He/she will specify certain aspects of the plumbing install on the drawings.
Pipe runs and routing will need to be established and conform to regs regarding maintaining structural integrity of the property (i.e. Notching of joists etc).
Plumbers will need to consult and work with other trades, to agree routes and waste runs, as well as provision of suitable 'grounds' in walls for items such as rads, towel rails, wall-hung basins, wc pans etc.
We are currently in discussion with all parties on a large project, of this nature, planned for us to start in Feb 2017. Builders have been there already for two months and we have had several meetings, on site with builders, so they can prepare fabric and structure for our part of the project.

 

[r_c]

Thank you both.

Do you have an architect involved in the project? He/she will specify certain aspects of the plumbing install on the drawings.

We do not have an architect. We did have one, and he did't specified anything plumbing related, and we used the builder he recommended who had a 'plumber' who wasn't a plumber (he was the carpenter) and ended up with gas pipes that didn't conform to regulations, and pipes in odd places. The architect who knew the builder well kept it quiet that the 'plumber' wasn't even Gas Safe. So this is our second attempt at this and maybe now I want to go overboard with a spec because of our mistake the first time. I am talking a lot more to the new plumber (if we do accept his quote) and that is a lot better than the first attempt when we were told to go through the architect for everything (what a failure that was). At least this time the plumber and I have a better understanding of each other's expectations this time round.

How about guarantees? What should I expect in terms of a guarantee from a plumber who is re-plumbing the whole house? Should I keep a final payment withheld for a certain amount of time? I guess these vary a lot, but it would be nice to hear some examples.

 

[r_c]

Looks like 12 months is quite normal according to answers to another question. Glad I'm not the only clueless one out there

 

[muggles]

Workmanship guarantee should be a minimum of two years (one year guarantees on things went out several years ago). I offer six years, backed by insurance. Guarantees on materials are manufacturer-specific and not covered by the workmanship guarantee

 

[oilboffin]

I saw somewhere that we are responsible for our workmanship for
6 years.

 

[Terrywookfit]

I saw somewhere that we are responsible for our workmanship for
6 years.

It's a pity the manufacturers can get away with producing such fookin rubbish!!

 

[dilalio]

I saw somewhere that we are responsible for our workmanship for
6 years.

Yeah, I heard that recently too. Legal claim through the small claims court AFAIA!!

 

[muggles]

Yeah, I heard that recently too. Legal claim through the small claims court AFAIA!!

Most likely someone who didn't have anything in their T&Cs then, so what was deemed to be the industry standard on the day was used instead.

 

[dilalio]

Most likely someone who didn't have anything in their T&Cs then, so what was deemed to be the industry standard on the day was used instead.

I remember now... was a mate of mine (floor installer). Was taken to court by a previous customer 5 years 8 months after install. Judge took unusual step of visiting the property and found in my mate's favour as was deemed to be an attempt by the complainant to extort a couple of grand out of my mate before the 6 years was up... after several sleepless nights, he was somewhat relieved!

 

[Agile]

If cost is relevant to you, then you may be better getting the heating and plumbing done by a different person to the bathrooms.

Reason being that those who specialise in one or the other are likely to be better and perhaps cheaper than those who try to do everything. Jack of all trades etc.

I only do heating and plumbing and would only do a bathroom for myself or a very good friend.

Tony

 

[London Mike 49]

This year we had our house re plumbed completely due to a extension after six months moving to our new home.
I don't know about a spec as such but here is a few things to consider
1. Make sure the plumber is a bona fide business and not sub contracting the work out to a lot of foreign workers such as polish/Romanian ' plumbers ' that do the donkey work and who's work is of unknown quality.
2. Make sure you know what make /type of pipe and fittings are going to be used and agree where the joints that are likely to be inaccessible are to be placed so that if a leak occurs it will be the least amount of **** to sort out.
3. Buy the fittings yourself and buy good taps and not unknown brands that you can't get spares for in the future.
4. Beware if they are sinking pipes into a wall, don't let them put pipes in areas that you may have to fix something to later. And if they disturb cornices in the process then who makes good and to what standard/ replace or repair?
All walls should be made good enough to paint without any effort on your part.
Who will make good the wall? You /plumber or builder?
5. Make sure any outside tap has minimal pipe work outside to guard against frost.
6. Agree stage payments and get signatures for received monies.


I hope all of this helps you make a informed decision

Mike

 

[r_c]

you may be better getting the heating and plumbing done by a different person to the bathrooms.

Yes good point. (The plumber has already made it clear to me that he will be subcontracting the UFH to specialists.)