how to find a good kitchen fitter on a low budget

nickj_2

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I'd be more than happy to pay a decent person £80 a day to fit a kitchen. Heck,id pay him in cash..

you would probably need to build a time machine and travel back to 1986 to find a fitter for £80 a day

Furts

nickj wrote: »

you would probably need to build a time machine and travel back to 1986 to find a fitter for £80 a day

Where I live I can employ trades , and good trades - no chancers or cowboys - for the rates I state.
What amazes me is people doubt this. There are parts of the UK on their knees with the current recession. Of course the rates will pick up if times improve. These are market forces.

keystone

Furts wrote: »

Where I live I can employ trades , and good trades - no chancers or cowboys - for the rates I state.
What amazes me is people doubt this. There are parts of the UK on their knees with the current recession. Of course the rates will pick up if times improve. These are market forces.

Of course people can only comment on their own particular geographical area. Whats wrong is when someone in Hampshire says is £ 150 per diem fair for x and then someone in Lancashire says nonsense it should only be £ 80.

I got a flyer through my door this evening advertising cleaning services. £ 13 an hour - yes per hour!!

Cheers

Steve_the_fitter

At £80 a day I would take them on a day rate as well as if something takes a bit longer than it should they would be kicking themselves. As you say they will not be tempted to rush and cut corners.
Must say Im amazed any trade can work for £80 a day. I imagine it would cost me nearly £20 a day just for running costs. Insurance, van etc but if they are happy and doing good work its all good.

Furts wrote: »

Plus it depends where you live. A top quality fitter is £80 per day where I live. Consequently I take labour on a day rate rather than price work. The fitter will not be tempted to rush and cut corners, and neither am I paying their profits/mark up. Yes the risk is with me, but with competent tradesmen this is not too onerous.

leveller2911

keystone wrote: »

Of course people can only comment on their own particular geographical area. Whats wrong is when someone in Hampshire says is £ 150 per diem fair for x and then someone in Lancashire says nonsense it should only be £ 80.

I got a flyer through my door this evening advertising cleaning services. £ 13 an hour - yes per hour!!

Cheers

You think you got it bad, theres a "handyman" advertising locally who charges £15-00 per 30 minutes...

bodmil

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Furts

Hi Bodmil
Have you checked with his previous customers? Have you personally inspected the quality of the work and made sure it was done by him?

I know of one contractor who put forward names of satisfied customers - it was a scam, they were on a back hander from the contractor.

Basically, be streetwise. I mentioned I trialled my fitter for a day, but you could visit his home - does it look like a tip?, does it look like he has a pride in his home/workmanship. Even his van, his appearance...the list goes on

bodmil

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Furts

bodmil wrote: »

How would a trial work? He anticipates it being 4 days work, I don't fancy him ripping out my kitchen and then either of us deciding that not to go ahead! At present he wants 50% on the day he starts work (I plan to do this at the end of the first day...)

I have a few phone numbers for previous customers but I'm not sure I would go to the extent of visiting other people's homes to inspect the work, is that usual?

Hi Bodmil

He wants 50% before he has even done one days work? Or even at the end of one days work? I inspect on completion, then pay. If he does not trust you to pay then the relationship/ trust is wrong between the two of you.

Sorry I would tell him to ---- off. Or re-negotiate.

If you are not prepared to be savvy regarding the previous work "fools and their money are easily parted" springs to mind.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but this a consumer website, not a tradesman protection website.

keystone

bodmil wrote: »

Well.. I think Ive found a chap with a good price for a Howden's kitchen but after a bit of a fiasco with my boiler replacement I'm determined to check this guy out properly!

You need independent references for his work. ask him for them. If he won't provide -walk away.

What sort of contract and schedule of works and payments do I need to make sure I get?

Ask him to propose you a contract. Any contract needs to protect both parties. Any payment plan mneeds to be against defined and measurable milestones of achievement.

I'm asking for registrations of his electrician and gas man to make sure they're with the right boards.

The correct thing to do but what do you mean by "the right boards". Gas can only be GSR and leccy can be one of a number.

I've asked for information about his public liability insurance.

You do realise that PLI is for his benefit not yours don't you. The only thing you gain from knowing this is that he has insurance backing so that if anything does go wrong then when you have claimed off your insurance then your insurance has someone else to claim off themselves.

And I'm asking for a minor works certicate for the electrics.

You'll need more than that. In a kitchen it will also require Part P paperwork. There should be no need to ask for this. A properly registered electrician will provide it all automatically.

Cheers