What do I need to get in writing?

milliebear00001

Just about to (finally!) sign up a kitchen fitter. I have received several quotes. Do I need to get anything else in writing? I am thinking about timeframes etc. All the guys have suggested about a week for the work, but do I need this in writing?

keystone

Have any of them given you a draft contract or at least terms and conditions. Is "time of the essence" for you?

Cheers

phill99

You wil be lucky to find any fitter to guarantee in writing that your kitchen will be fitted in a certain number of days. In my experiece, most fitters are pretty accurate in saying how long a fit is likely to be eg 4 days 5 days, etc. However, each kitchen is unique and problems can be identified when the old kitchen is removed eg floor boards that are rotten, unacceptable electrics etc and having these rectified will add to the fitting period.

Also remeomber if you pin a fitter down to a time he will start to rush and cut corners. Its better to have him go over by half a day or a day so that he does a quality job. If he is on a fixed price (which he should be), if he runs over, its his cost not yours.

milliebear00001

I have no T&Cs or draft contracts , but then, I haven't asked anyone to do the job yet. Time isn't a real issue. I don't mind waiting for them to start, but want to be sure they'll start when they say they will. Likewise, I don't mind if they over run a bit (they are all fixed fee) but don't want to be without a usable kitchen for weeks on end through no fault of my own.

phill99

milliebear00001 wrote: »

I have no T&Cs or draft contracts , but then, I haven't asked anyone to do the job yet. Time isn't a real issue. I don't mind waiting for them to start, but want to be sure they'll start when they say they will. Likewise, I don't mind if they over run a bit (they are all fixed fee) but don't want to be without a usable kitchen for weeks on end through no fault of my own.

I run a maintenance company and fit quite a few kitchens. Most fitters I know finish fitting a kitchen before starting a new one and don't go off midway through a fit. Most fitters normally get paid only at the end of a job so therefore it is sensible to get it finished. If the fitters have subcontracted all gas and electric works, then they will work in with the fitters and most tend to have a good relationship with each other.

The thing that may delay your fitting is insufficient/wrong/damaged parts being delivered. If the fitter is on a supply and fit contract he will take responsibility for getting new parts. If he is on a labour only contract and you have souirced the kitchen, then its up to you to get the parts sorted. If there is a long lead in time (eg B & Q), then you may be without part of your kitchen for a few weeks until the new bits are delivered.

The other thing that may delay fitting is if you have directly contracted a plumber, gas fitter or electrician who is working to his own timescale and not the fitters.

milliebear00001

We are supplying the kitchen and the fitters are sorting everything else. I will make sure the whole kitchen arrives before the fitters start work.

Thanks for the advice.

phill99

milliebear00001 wrote: »

We are supplying the kitchen and the fitters are sorting everything else. I will make sure the whole kitchen arrives before the fitters start work.

Thanks for the advice.

But you won't know if there are any damaged parts unless you open everything.

milliebear00001

phill99 wrote: »

But you won't know if there are any damaged parts unless you open everything.

As there are only 5 pre-built units coming (2.5m x 2.5m kitchen), that shouldn't be too difficult! I'll open everything and check it before confirming dates with the fitters. Ditto sink/tap/worktop/appliances etc

ryder72

If you're supplying the kitchen for the fitter to install, who remains responsible for checking that the ordered items will fit and if it doesnt for whatever reason, confirm that arrangements are in place for return visits. This is often a sticking point - your fitter might have quoted assuming that everything supplied is undamaged, suitable for installation and return visits are not required.

milliebear00001

kmdesign wrote: »

If you're supplying the kitchen for the fitter to install, who remains responsible for checking that the ordered items will fit and if it doesnt for whatever reason, confirm that arrangements are in place for return visits. This is often a sticking point - your fitter might have quoted assuming that everything supplied is undamaged, suitable for installation and return visits are not required.

I've used a combination of several plans from different suppliers to finalise my own plan (in conjunction with the fitter). I am confident there are few enough parts that I will be able to check they are correct myself. If not, the company I am ordering from has all parts in stock, so there would be a short delivery time if snything should not fit. The fitters won't be contracted to start until I am confident all parts are present and undamaged. As I said, there are very few components to the kitchen as it is.