supply and fit vs fitting only

cattie

I have somebody doing work on my flat at the moment & as far as he is concerned he is happy to fit items you source yourself, especially if you can obtain them cheaper this way.

Or if you wish him to supply & fit, you pay exactly what he has had to with the trade discount, giving you the receipts to see how much items have cost. He makes no mark up so you pay only for his labour.

aliby21

cattie your chap sounds like a gem! I can start to see there are various reasons why tradesmen might prefer to supply and fit, and I think I'd be happy to pay extra for their time and trouble doing so - if it was a bit extra.

diywhynot

cattie wrote: »

Or if you wish him to supply & fit, you pay exactly what he has had to with the trade discount, giving you the receipts to see how much items have cost. He makes no mark up so you pay only for his labour.

Who picks up the materials when he supplies and fits? If he does, it costs him time (money) to do so but he makes no additional charge...not the best business model tbh.

leveller2911

cattie wrote: »

Or if you wish him to supply & fit, you pay exactly what he has had to with the trade discount, giving you the receipts to see how much items have cost. He makes no mark up so you pay only for his labour.

He is 1 in a million and the exception rather than the rule.

From my experience buying online can be cheaper for the client but the problem is the client wouldn't know a quality lock,window,staircase,shower from a cheap poorly made one but I do and thats what they are paying for.

Trade discounts are exactly that, a discount for being a regular customer, I don't go into Tescos and ask to see their invoices for the steak fillets they sell and pay them what it costs them.Why should I pass on my discount ? and I certainly won't be showing the client my trade invoices as I'm running a business.

The only exception I make is with Howdens kitchens, I'm happy to show the client the invoices as I don't make any profit as such on a kitchen ,the customer pays the invoice with the vat included and I claim the vat back against my vat liability.

The client should rely on the tradesmans experience on what brands,model etc will last and if that costs them a little extra then I would pay it.

In all honesty some of the online shops selling baths,showers,taps,doors,windows etc is dire but the average Joe wouldn't know quality that will last for years from cheap tat that will need replacing after a couple of years.