Hole in the wall Gas fire with additional work - Deposit and Payments?!

[Deleted User]

I am on the point of accepting a quote for installing a small hole in the wall Atina HE (Kinder BFM) gas fire - I've checked the business out and the engineers.

The work will include changing the flue liner (5m of liner), a plate and an adapter, rubbish removal, 'building sundries' (may need a new lintel) plus removal of pipework that was decommisioned when we had a new combi boiler and, finally, replastering of chimney and a bit of wall where the pipework drops from the upstairs.

I don't think I have much disagreement with the quote or the labour charge (one day/two people I'm told)- but what do you think?

Atina HE Fire (including trim and stones/logs ect) £1070
Flue liner (5m) £140 Is this realistic?
Plate & adapter £62
Building sundries £40
Rubbish removal £15
Removal of pipes and repairs £90
Labour £445

Grand Total: £1862 (Ouch!)

...HOWEVER I might disagree with the payment deadlines - again, what do you think?
Deposit: 50% of total
'Interim payment': another 25% of total
End of job: final 25%

I know someone has to buy the fire etc so are these payments reasonable?

Thanks for your comments!

phill99

If they are their standard terms and conditions and you don't accept them, you won't be getting your fire installed.

Tell me this: have you ever bought a car (new or secondhand). If so, you would have paid a deposit. If you have had DG installed, you would have paid a deposit. If you have had B & Q install a kitchen, you would have paid a deposit.

Paying a deposit is the norm now. Remember though that you have 25% to pay on completion. There is no harm you delaying that payment for a few days to ensure that the system is working fully.

keystone

Has it occured to you that his business model and cashflow projections may be based on that sort of payment profile rather than all at the end which might require him to finance his cash flow resulting in a higher price to you?

Anyway a deposit is an earnest of your commitment to him and conversely secures you a slot in the diary to commence the work.

I don't see anything wrong with it but by all means get a comparative quote for the same scope of work from an alternative contractor but with a different (ie more suited to you) payment profile and see how they compare.

Alternatively terms of business are always negotiable to a certain extent so have you tried negotiating a bit?

Even more alteratively just don't accept his quote - its not compulsory - and just go elsewhere.

Cheers