Question about quote for new bathroom

yumyums

We recently had a quote from a local company for a new bathroom. This quote was for all labour including plumbing, fitting and electrics.

One thing that concerns me is that the owner of the company who did the quote did not thoroughly inspect our existing supplies - he had a cursory look at the plumbing and did not even look at the fuse box.

Is this normal? What would happen if an unforeseen problem arose and more work was needed than was first thought? Would he be within his rights to charge us extra or should his quote still stand?

Thanks for any advice

phill99

If he has been doing his work a long time, he will know what is required in terms of plumbing. Unless there is major upheaval, the plumbing will be much as it is and the quote he has submitted will be reflective of this. Also, an experienced man will know what electrical work is needed so his 'cursory look' may well be all that is needed.

grizzly1911

Are you asking for any major change in the electrics?

A new high power electric shower perhaps or lots of jacuzzi/shower pumps, new lighting?

keystone

Agree with what Phil said and will add a bit more;

You will know what you have asked him to quote for and he will have reflected that in his detailed quote. The quote will inevitably contain an exclusion clause for major unforseen works such as you changing your mind or finding rotten joists. His crystal ball does not extend to such items at the time of quoting. It would be unreasonable for you to expect him to cover such additional works at no extra cost although there might be some minor items that he might just swallow in the interests of good customer relations. Equally if you squeeze him too hard in negotiating the contract price his ability to undertake little extra unforseen bits without cost will be eroded.

In any event he should discuss any extras that arise with you and give to a price to cover those extras on an item by item basis for you to agree with or not as the case may be. This must be done before any additional work is undertaken.

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers

yumyums

Well, turns out we need a new fuse box after all!

I was hoping for some more advice as I'm getting a bit worked up here ...

Work has started on the new bathroom, which by the way is in a room that was not previously a bathroom so there has to be new plumbing and electrics. I didn't realise that this was notifiable work (apart from the electrics which are being done by a Part-P electrician so he can self-certify). However, after a quick google search just now it also seems that the new drainage will need to be signed off.

Is it the responsibility of contractor who is overseeing the project to notify the building control people? This hasn't been done...
I'm a bit worried about the quality of the plumbing. We used to have an inspection cover for the drains in the back yard but this has been removed so I'm not sure how we are supposed to gain access if there's a blockage. I suppose the building control officer will pick up on this if he visits but from what I understand, they don't always visit?

I would be really grateful for any advice. This is the first big project I've ever had done and the company seemed reputable - I got references and all the paperwork I was presented with before hiring them seemed genuine. Very worried and don't know what my next steps should be.

keystone

Yes its a change of use so Building Control must sign it off. He may have informed them (notified it) in the same way that the Part P sparks will do for the electrics and then they will issue the paperwork. So a visit by the BCO is not necessarily on the cards. Yes its the Contractors responsibility to arrange it.

Its a little unclear what you mean by removed in relation to the inspection chamber. Done by this contractor? What has he replaced it with? Did a number of drains join up there? Has he fed the soil pipe from the new loo into it? If so it should still be there.

Its not a hanging offence. Don't get wound up or overly worried by it. Write the guy a polite letter (don't phone and don't email) and ask him to explain to you about these matters.

Cheers

yumyums

keystone wrote: »

Its a little unclear what you mean by removed in relation to the inspection chamber. Done by this contractor? What has he replaced it with? Did a number of drains join up there? Has he fed the soil pipe from the new loo into it? If so it should still be there.

Its not a hanging offence. Don't get wound up or overly worried by it. Write the guy a polite letter (don't phone and don't email) and ask him to explain to you about these matters.
Cheers

Thanks for your help keystone.

Sorry, I'll try to explain as best as I can. The guttering from the roof and waste water from the existing bathroom used to discharge into a little chamber with an inspection cover. The way the pipes are now, the guttering and waste water both feed directly into another pipe with no chamber. This has been done by the current plumbers. These pipes are all going to be buried so I don't know how we'll get access for unblocking, etc.

I will write to the contractor and ask him what his intentions are with regards to notifying building control.

yumyums

yumyums wrote: »

Sorry, I'll try to explain as best as I can. The guttering from the roof and waste water from the existing bathroom used to discharge into a little chamber with an inspection cover. The way the pipes are now, the guttering and waste water both feed directly into another pipe with no chamber. This has been done by the current plumbers. These pipes are all going to be buried so I don't know how we'll get access for unblocking, etc.

I will write to the contractor and ask him what his intentions are with regards to notifying building control.

Some more info:
The existing drains weren't great. Looked like a bit of a botch job by whoever owned the house before us. The foul water drainage consisted of standard sized white pvc pipes which ran externally to the bathroom then discharged into an open gully (is that the right word?). They've basically extended these white pvc pipes and joined them into another black plastic pipe underground. This whole arrangement is then going to be buried with the rubble from digging the hole to lay the pipes. The pipes won't be very deep underground, maybe 15cm, once buried.