Kitchen fitting prices - invoice just received - HELP!!

Mealybug

I have just had a new kitchen fitted, the units are Second Nature, rigid with all soft close hinges, wirework fittings (larder unit, pan drawers etc) and doors factory fitted. Part of the worktop (approx 3 metres) is solid iroko (inc upstands) with a curve at one end, cut out for range cooker and inset sink, another length of worktop (2metres) is laminate with upstands, the rest granite (fitted seperately). The dishwasher & sink plumbing, cooker connection and extractor done by other tradesmen although he did make the mantle and fitted the extractor into the chimney breast. He initially told me he would expect it to take him 3-4 days and although I discussed paying a fixed price with him (he mentioned £1200) he said he thought it would be better off if I paid him by the hour for which he charged £20. As he came recommended I trusted him and for the basis of my budget allowed 10 hours per day over 5 days = £1000. The fitting took him 6 long days and I have just received the invoice, 76 hours @ £20 = £1520 plus £70 diesel (he travelled about 26 miles a day to my house) plus another £66 for fittings (?) , MDF for mantle and oil for worktops. I will be writing to him to dispute his charges but in the meantime I would love to hear your comments as to what you have paid for a similar job and how long it took. I don't need any comments as to how daft I have been!!

poet123

I would say to him that he mentioned £1200 and that it would be advantageous to you to pay by the hour so you assumed that meant you should expect an invoice below that figure. That said, kitchen fitting can run into problems, were there any snags that meant he spent longer than anticipated? Although I do think that it would have been wise to agree an actual figure rather than a per hour rate if you didn't know the fitters well.

phill99

How many units?

The problem is that you have agreed an hourly rate rather than a set fee.

If you are not disputing the amount of time he spent on the job or the hourly rate, then I'm not sure what you are disputing.

elsien

IThe cost of the diesel for starters? Surely that's not up to the OP to pay. Any receipts for the extras, and how long per day was he on site for? Is he charging travelling time and did you discuss that beforehand?

buglawton

The trader is not performing a rip-off. I'd cough up, homeowners also need to keep a good reputation.

Mealybug

Thank you for your prompt replies. It was for 13 units. Its the time he took that I am disputing. I feel he has strung the job out because of the hourly rate which I admit I probably did ask for and I will learn from. I did however allow for it running over to 5 days at 10 hours a day and after 3 days he did say he would be finished at the end of the week (5 days). I didn't expect the charge for diesel either, as an employed person I stand my own travelling costs out of my wages and I also don't get paid for my lunch time which he still seems to be charging £20 per hour for. I didn't agree travelling time or costs with him. There were no real problems encountered, although he has redone a number of things due to what I can only see as bad planning (there are two lots of holes in the cornice and plinth and the mantle has been moved a few times leaving holes in the plaster which incidentally haven't been filled). I'm curious to know what everyone thinks would have been a reasonable timescale to complete this job in and what they think would be a fair price? I had the doors factory fitted at an extra cost of £180 to save with the fitting costs!

phill99

I agree you shouldn't have to pay for his diesel.

The other question you need to ask is "am I happy with the job?" If the answer is "yes" then you should accept his bill. Kitchens ate the one thing tat if you rush it and make a pigs ear of it, then you are stuck with it for a very long time. If he had quoted a fixed fee, then he could easily skimp and cut corners. It may ave cost you a couple of hundred quid more than anticipated, but if it is a good job, then it may be worth it.

Mealybug

I'm not over the moon with his job. The kitchen on the whole came ready built so the units look great, however the plinth he has cut down isn't straight and the holes he has left haven't been filled. I have pointed this out and he has agreed that he should have filled the holes and the lines should have been straight and he has agreed to put this right. However this means taking even more off the plinth and leaving an even bigger gap which I don't want. He's argument is that you can't see it but that to me isn't the point. If he is as good as he says he shouldn't have been happy leaving it like this - and had plenty of time to get it perfect! I feel he rates himself too highly, has charges a very high, drawn out price for a mediocre job. We have had an extension and I have been delighted with every trade and paid what I've been asked for immediately. I think thats why I feel so disappointed and ripped off

phill99

Well you need to make a snagging list and present it to him saying that you will pay him once the outstanding items are finished or rectified. And don't pay his diesel.

Mealybug

Thanks for replying Phill99. I have already made a snagging list and he has agreed to put these things right but as I said in my post it means taking even more off the plinth to make it straight and its already short. He scoffed a bit at me as though I was picking fault which I wasn't, as I said he does rate himself very highly! I know he is short of work, and to be honest I had a few doubts about him at the beginning but after he had sourced granite and worktops for me felt I couldn't then not go with him. Would others just cough up and put it down to experience?

phill99

If he has messed the plinth up, then he needs to be paying for a new one, or you get it and deduct it off of his bill. Any decent fitter would pay for their mistakes.