The extra costs of having bathroom refitted? Is this reasonable?
Question:We are having our (small) bathroom refitted by a local builder/plumber, who appears to be experienced at the job but at the same time I worry that he is overcharging us by adding on extra 'unexpected' costs.
For instance - tiling- initially he said 3 tubs (15 L) would be sufficient, but we then decided to tile more (to a total of 15 square metres) and now he's used almost 30 litres. Is this usual? He mentioned having to add extra layers at some point since there was a small gap.
We have also paid for extra tile grout. How much does one usually need for 15sq.m, if the gap between tiles/and tile thickness is around 1/3 of an inch?
Also, he put in a new bathroom fan and said it had a built-in timer. During today's brief talk, he said that 'oh, well it turned out to be a different model'. ie. the one he has installed doesn't havea atimer and is costing us £32!
I know it's a lot of questions, but help would be appreciated! :D Thanks in advance !
Answers:
Additional work can be a difficult area, as small areas of work can cost a disproportionate amount.
Tiling is usually priced as a m2 price anything from £30 to £50 per m2 is the norm depending on where you live, so just multiply it up to get an overall cost.
If you don't know your builder always get a quote for additional work.
If he gave you a written quote for the fan get him to change it for one with a timer, although £32 is not unreasonable for a normal extractor fan.
--------Further to your additional detail, I would have expected any quote for an extractor to include 'pipe, flap' or anything else to complete the task, as he has seen what was required.
Ask him for a full breakdown of his costs and if you are still not happy you could employ a professional such as a Q.S. (quantity surveyor) to assess his Bill, although you will find his costs most probably will be far higher than any savings you will get. I suggest you sit down with your builder and discuss what you don't feel to be fair and reasonable and make an offer, don't just not pay, you may find yourself subject to a small claims judgement very easily.
sounds OK to me but then I'm a plumber and I know the jobs are never as simple as the customer thinks, if you want your tiles level and a good job made he's doing the right thing-- just keep him plied with tea--- a plumber can't function properly without the hourly infusion of tea. :o)
All I can tell you is that the gaps between the tiles should be the same and an average price is £20 per sq m. Hope that helps. Oh, that price is labour only supplying adhesive and grout which costs next to nothing.
Tile adhesive coverage is approx 1ltr to 1m2 if the teeth on the trowel are 3mm x 3mm so I think you are being over charged for this. Also would not agree to using adhesive to fill gaps in this way.
Grouting is a little more complicated. I have copied a link for you to work this out yourself.
The fan is not an unreasonable price, how ever I would have gone for a fan that is triggered by moisture, (they have a name but fore the life of me can't remember it! sorry.)this retails at about £40 trade plus VAT
befor you part with any more cash get someone that knows what they are on about in to take a look at the work
Earlier this year I had my average size bathroom upgraded.
New shower,Fan,Sink unit,WC,Wall Tiles,Floor tiles,new
door which cost around £6000 for goods & labour.This may
give you a guideline.
You agreed a price for the work you wanted done
extras = more money .more tiles=more adhesive/grout
as for the ducting kit ,I would have used one ,the air being removed contains moisture
when you asked for a price ,did you specify the type of fan (humidity stat)or amount of air to be removed
are you supplying materials
32 pound is not excessive
If the walls are unlevel he would use more adhesive
what has he said about increasing his labour price,Really if you have asked him to carry out more work, He should get more money
The question should be am I reasonable
all sounds ok vent does need a pipe to take it outside and the flap is needed as well to stop rain and birds etc getting into pipe, he could have used fix&grout ready mixed its much easier and what i always use your lucky he's not charged extra labour
More Related Questions & Answers...