Finding a Bathroom Fitter

redundantmortgage

The checkatrade estimate was from December 2022.

If materials alone cost £4-6k then adding that to the labour quote I've had would come to £16.2-18.2k which is triple the checkatrade estimate. Likewise paying double the £4k in materials for tradespeople equates to £4k labour, far less than the £12.2k I've been quoted.

The checkatrade estimate might be on the low side but whatever way I look at my quote it looks a rip off.

What I've now done is arranged for a quote from Wickes. Nothing to lose from doing that and I'll at least get a better idea of the sort of price I'd be looking at. 

Eldi_Dos

I think what might have been a help here is some sort of introduction agency that could help match up reluctant customers with suitable tradespeople who could cement a relationship and may even find a spark between them.

plumb1_2

Eldi_Dos said:

I think what might have been a help here is some sort of introduction agency that could help match up reluctant customers with suitable tradespeople who could cement a relationship and may even find a spark between them.

Might even become a night on the tiles.

benson1980

redundantmortgage said:

The checkatrade estimate was from December 2022.

If materials alone cost £4-6k then adding that to the labour quote I've had would come to £16.2-18.2k which is triple the checkatrade estimate. Likewise paying double the £4k in materials for tradespeople equates to £4k labour, far less than the £12.2k I've been quoted.

The checkatrade estimate might be on the low side but whatever way I look at my quote it looks a rip off.

What I've now done is arranged for a quote from Wickes. Nothing to lose from doing that and I'll at least get a better idea of the sort of price I'd be looking at. 

I would try the suggestion already made on this thread- go to a local plumbers merchant (possibly with showroom attached and then they can design something for you) and they should be able to recommend one or two people. All you can do then is invite them to quote and see what you think. Checkatrade- I wouldn't completely write that line of enquiry off. Just make sure you read all of the negative reviews and if/how the tradesperson has responded, would be my advice if you go down that road. I've found some decent people on there, along with some average ones but no-one really who has been a total nightmare and I've probably employed in excess of 20 people over the years that I've found via their website.

If I'm starting from scratch I'd probably be making between 4 and 6 enquiries with different trades working on the basis that half won't get back to me, or will turn up and never quote (or give a ridiculous estimate). I would agree that 12.5k for labour seems way OTT. You really want to try and generate minimum three quotes so between all of the above and wickes you have enough info and estimates to make an informed choice.

plumb1_2

Plumbers/ bathroom fitter won’t respond the checkatrade enquiries if they have enough work.
As they have to pay for the leads 

benson1980

plumb1_2 said:

Plumbers/ bathroom fitter won’t respond the checkatrade enquiries if they have enough work.
As they have to pay for the leads 

 I was just referring to the directory. Never used the quote request on there….