supply and fit vs fitting only

aliby21

Hi all,

I'm ignorant about how this sort of thing works, but could anyone give me and idea of whether it is better to get a tradesman to 'supply and fit', or for me to find the product and then just get them to fit it? Do they add costs just for finding the thing? or do they prefer to do the whole job so may bump up rate if I ask them to just fit something I've already bought?

thanks in advance!

Justicia

I would suggest that it may really depend on what it is that is to be supplied and/or fitted, to be totally honest.

Many tradespeople prefer particular brands, due to ease of use, fitting and reliability. Others may not be fussed, and install what they are given.

rustyboy21

On my part, I charge significantly more to fit goods not bought off me, than I do when the goods have been sourced by me.

Take into account, most times, the small margin I make on a product, makes all the difference to the commercial viability of my business. Sometimes I won't fit it at all, if I don't like the brand the consumer has bought, due to it being a pain to fit, with callouts later to fix.

Hope this helps

aliby21

Justicia wrote: »

I would suggest that it may really depend on what it is that is to be supplied and/or fitted, to be totally honest.

well, the prompt for my question was replacing a power shower, so it would be 'like for like' (same brand, in order to fit pipework, but modern version of). But I was interested in whether there was a general rule as well, for future reference.

rustyboy21 wrote: »

On my part, I charge significantly more to fit goods not bought off me, than I do when the goods have been sourced by me.

Take into account, most times, the small margin I make on a product, makes all the difference to the commercial viability of my business. Sometimes I won't fit it at all, if I don't like the brand the consumer has bought, due to it being a pain to fit, with callouts later to fix.

Hope this helps

thanks Rustyboy, that is exactly what I was wondering. The plumber has just told me the price for the shower that needs replacing, and I was a bit gobsmacked at how much cheaper I could have got it myself online, but then I thought if the fitting costs would be higher it probably is all swings and roundabouts?

ceredigion

Personally i dont really care either way and as a general rule i dont put anything on the materials. So will supply at cost to me. However ,i do have a tendancy to over order by 10% or so . This is to make sure that we have enough of what ever on site when we need it to do the job. If i'm supplying ,the over order belongs to me and will be transfered to the next job, if your supplying its yours . Do you really want 3 tons of sand left in your front garden and if you under order for me ,the time sitting around waiting will cost you money.

aliby21

thanks ceredigion, yes, making sure it is the right thing is also a factor. Kind of why I thought it best for plumber to get the thing. Just not sure it is worth £260 compared to £140 (that is just for shower, not installation)

ey_up

I have been doing a house refurb recently and it's amazing how much cheaper I have been able to get things online rather than through the tradesmen. but I agree they don't like it as they lose control to your inexperience in getti g what you need. it really annoys me that the trades men buy this stuff all the time cannot get as good a deal as others offer online. I would really like to buy local but showers, baths, toilets plumbing sundries and decorating stuff papers paints etc have all worked out a lot cheaper than local stores or the trader. carpets are next and it's the same.
In op case, if it is a straight swap then surely you can find someone could fit for the price difference! its massive

aliby21

thanks ey-up, it is frustrating isn't it. think i will just have to put this one down to experience but will know for next time.

mymedi

ey_up wrote: »

but showers, baths, toilets plumbing sundries and decorating stuff papers paints etc have all worked out a lot cheaper than local stores or the trader

What I've never been able to understand is why tradesmen don't just buy it online themselves...?It's not like there is a rule that trades have to buy from trade suppliers...

diywhynot

mymedi wrote: »

What I've never been able to understand is why tradesmen don't just buy it online themselves...?It's not like there is a rule that trades have to buy from trade suppliers...

Waiting around for a delivery, trying to return a damaged item, the list goes on.... the time costs someone money.

leveller2911

Personally I prefer to supply and fit. The reason being if I supply and fit then if there are any problems the buck stops with me whereas if the client buys the product, say a door for instance , I hang the door and it twists and warps.The client will want to know who is liable to sort it out.The supplier may say its the fitting at fault and I may say its the way the door was constructed.

With supply and fit the buck stops with me.