£17k for bathroom, ensuite & cloakroom am I mad?

TallGirl

We have been looking to have our bathroom, ensuite and cloakroom done for some time and is getting confused by all the different quotes we have had.

B&Q quoted £6000 to supply and fit the bathroom but this did not include doing the ceiling.

Bathstore quoted £2000 for suite and taps for the bathroom but did not trust them at all. Suggested we fitted a showerscreen that would not work.

We do have quite expensive taste and as we plan to stay here a long time don’t mind shelling out for high quality.

There is this local company we really like the owner came out to do the quote and he really knew what he was talking about. The other places we have been don’t seem to know anything other than how to use a computer.

Bathroom, 1980mmx1690mm
We have been quoted £8211 for everything right down to painting and decorating.

• Take out old suite and fit new bath, toilet and sink (Utopia) incl powershower (Grohe) and screen. (supply all the goods)
• Skim ceiling and fit new extractor and 4 spotlights, new switch outside the room (get rid of pullstring)
• Lay laminate flooring (waterproof)
• Tile floor to ceiling (Porcelanosa)
• Fit coving
• Fit new crome radiator (500mm x 1200mm and doorstop)
• Install and supply bathroom accessories.
• Paint door and ceiling

Basically we don’t have to do a thing or supply anything and they are a very reputable company who employ their own fitters etc.

He is swapping the toilet and sink around to make a bit more space and the Utopia sink is about £800 on its own.

Is this mad?

I don’t want to make this post too long but for the ensuite he has quoted £7602 and the cloakroom £1500 again fully fitted, painted and everything supplied. Incl new pump for powershower which will also feed the main bathroom.

Reading the posts on this board and seeing the nightmares people can have I like the idea of having one company do everyting. However I don’t want to be ripped off. We are going to see him again on Saturday to see if he can reduce the price. Any help would be appreciated.

Elliesmum

To put this quote into perspective, I've just had a 2 bedroom stilt extension built on the side of my house for £22 K, however we are in the north so I think things are a bit cheaper.

As you say - you like quality, that's fine and it's your money but you need to be happy with what you get. I would ask for references for previous work on the scale you are proposing and then take it from there.

EM xx

TallGirl

Thanks you are quite right our extension cost £25k so yes it does seem expensive in comparison. I am just worried doing it myself and getting all the different trades coordinated. I know I can save a lot doing it this was so perhaps it is better to wait and find a fitter and a tiler etc.

We are on the Southcoast so at least not in London.

bobsa1

I too am in the North but I would not dream of spending this much! I like quality as well and have just had my ensuite re fitted. I've had floors and walls tiled, bath, shower, sink and toilet taken out, heated towel rail fitted, free standing bath fitted, new toilet and sink. spotlights and decorating.

I've employed each trade seperately and sourced all items myself on the internet. It's cost me approx £1500.

My electrician took a day & charged £150, tiler is £60 a day, plumber charged £250 for all plumbing work.

It might be worth spending a bit of time sourcing the items yourself and then getting quotes for labour.

Elliesmum

Yes - I think we can safely say £17 for the bathrooms is a bit OTT, when you've only paid £25K for an extension!

If you have the time, maybe do as bobsa1/yourself has suggested and co-ordinate the project yourself.

Good luck.

EM xx

Doozergirl

Good Lord! We've got three bathrooms, one cloakroom and expensive taste. Bought items seperately all over the place, the rooms are fully tiled from floors to ceilings and even if you included all the labour and the plumbing and central heating for the entire 2000 square foot house, it wouldn't come to that much!

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: Best advice...get at least 3 fully itemized quotes to install from recommended plumbers (there are many multiskilled plumbers out there who do excellent work, have electrical qualifications, can tile, decorate etc...I happen to be married to one;) ...if you can't find one through a source you trust try the Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering http://www.iphe.org.uk/consumer/index.html ) Source and supply the sanitaryware, tiles etc yourself but ensure what you have chosen is appropriate eg. don't select taps only suitable for gravity systems when you have a combination boiler.

HTH

Canucklehead

TallGirl

Thank you that is really useful advice and we will get some more quotes. It seems to me that you pay for the convenience of getting it all done from one company. I don't know about B&Q but they quoted £6000 and that did not incl skimming the ceiling, fitting the lights or the power shower. However does this extra work justify the £2200 more the expensive place is charging. Guess not.

ormus

BQ is charging you the 2k just to get a chap in to do the work.
not bad money for a phone call.

always get 3 quotes for the actual labour and buy the main hardware yourself.

mna78

Not sure where you are on the south coast. But maybe try and get a quote from a local Handyman, as they're generally multi-skilled in plumbing, tiling, kitchen fitting, bathroom fitting, plastering etc... if you are in the Southampton area I can recommend someone.

Day rates will vary for where you are exactly (and how busy the person is) but as a rough idea £100-£150 per day for labour in North Hampshire.

ormus

ps.
i knew a kichen salesman once. he was on about 1000 quid commission per deal. 25%. he was making over 50k per annum (self employed).
not bad for working a few evenings per week.

i have no doubt that some bathroom peeps are on a similar deal.
kitchens and bathrooms installations seem to be the new Double Glazing, now the DG market is saturated.