Kitchen fitting, electrics and plumbing - expensive?

chubbina

We’ve just bought a great kitchen in the sales and decided to have it fitted independently rather than with MFI as we were assured it would save us some money. MFI’s basic fitting cost is £1400 however this is what we have been quoted…

Kitchen fitting including skirting board and ext venting: £1650

We knew there would be extras but even some of these seem a bit pricey….

Electrics – 2 main bonds, ring to kitchen, new lighting, new consumer unit 17th edition, fit ceiling lights, socket to utility room: £1217

Fit outside security light: £87
Fit outside decorative light: £87
Fit outside electric socket: £73

Tiling floor pre-prepared (we’re taking up the existing tiles): £499 labour
Tiling walls: £228 labour
Window boards: £48 parts and labour

Fit 1100 x 700 radiator with thermostatic rvs: £299

Plumbing to suit sink and dishwasher: £185
Gas: £127
Fit wooden worktops, oil, membranes, etc: £375
Reboard ceiling x 3, straighten boxing, replaster and small area of wall: £1275
Fit closed coupled toilet with spigot and waste for washing machine and boiler waste: £360

Total: £6510

All prices subject to VAT!

Our kitchen is L shaped and is 17ft x 15ft at its widest parts. We’re only having units on two of the walls.
They are moving the washing machine into the utility room and the downstairs toilet is being replaced.
Tiles and lights are not included.

What do you think? Does this seem like a lot?
Any input would be appreciated.

ukwoody

As regards the kithcen units themselves, we need to know how many wall and floor units please.
Also I take it the worktops are solid wood, since they need oiling. How many worktops and how many joins, ie, if they are in a U shape there will be two corners so two joins.

With regard to venting, is this a normal 600mm extractor or a fancy chimney one and one going into the ceiling space? or straight thru the wall.?

The oiling can be done by yourself very easily. At least 3 coats are required24 hours apart. There is no reason why you cannot do that and save a bob or two.
(Sorry for some reason I couldnt edit it and move that paragraph)

Woody

chubbina

Hi Woody

There are 4 wall units and 8 floor units.
The worktops are solid wood and we'll need 3 of them with 3 joins I think.
The extractor is 600mm going straight through the wall.

Let me know if you need more info.

ukwoody

The cost of the units should be about £500 depending on where you are, most fitters and chippies work on around the £40 per unit mark give or take a fiver. Skirting - labour wise - should only be a few hours work if that so lets say £50 max.
Venting if he has to hire a core drill you can add £30, and say £40 labour that makes a grand total of about £620; 1/2 what you've been quoted!.
Worktops are a bit tricker especially if he has to cut holes for the sink and hob, but I would have expected no more than £200 total on that, and if it's only two joins even less.
Tiling, labour only is about £20 to £25 per sq mtr so you can work that out yourself. The adhesive isnt very dear nor is grout.

Electrics, if the outside work is done at the same time as the rest that seems dear too - but I'll leave Baldy or someone to comment on that.
The plumbing, I'm sure Canknuckle or someone will be along in a while for you.
I may well be worng here, but just doing some quick calcs based on what I would charge and my regular contractors, I think you should be saving
at least £1500 if not more.
But await comment from the other Trades.

If I may give some advice here, I think you should get a couple of chippies/kitchen fitters in to quote, a couple of sparkies and plumbers. I think you can save a fair bit if you bide your time just a little and shop around. See what the others think.

Woody

katherinef1974

Don't forget with MFI there are two fitting costs. They give you a price then your fitter comes round and you end up with more money on top of the original price. Your quote for fitting with MFI would come to more than the £1400 they quoted for the basic fit which just covers putting in the units nothing else

chubbina

katherinef1974 wrote: »

Don't forget with MFI there are two fitting costs.

I am well aware that it will be more than £1400 as we have had a kitchen fitted by MFI previously and had to spend a bit getting the electrics up to scratch. I am just a bit surprised that the figure we've been quoted for the basic fit by our fitter (£1650) is more than MFI. Doing it this way was supposed to be saving us money but it looks like it is going to cost more!!

chubbina

Sorry to have to bump this back up again but I wondered if there was an electrician or plumber on here who could advise me on whether or not these prices are fair.
Thanks in advance!

EliteHeat

For the plumbing and heating bits, can you clarify what you are supplying?

darkstar157

hi chubbina, dont think you should be paying more than £1000 for the electrical work (including outside jobs) unless you live in london. Try a smaller local spark where you wont pay V.A.T. Also you say fit ceiling lights but how many and are you supplying them? If you get your own electrician make sure you get a certificate off them through either a competant person scheme or the labc
good luck

jimm24

Where are you based?Prices vary hugely as to where you are in the country?

chubbina

jimm24 wrote: »

Where are you based?Prices vary hugely as to where you are in the country?

I live in Leicester.

Most people I have spoken to think this quote is way over the top. I'm in the process of getting more quotes now.