Is this the going rate or am I being overcharged?

[festive]

I am wanting to get my bathroom sorted out and as always I am stumped as to where to go for a recommended tradesman so I got a quote off a plumber that a friend had used for some work, but I was a bit surprised at what he quoted me.

I am aware that I may have a completely unrealistic assumption about the costs of such things, hence me asking on here.

The bathroom is small - 200cm x 170cm. I want the tiling redone (approx half the walls) the floor tiling, a new bath, sink and toilet putting in, electric shower changing to a mixer shower and a radiator changing to a heated towel rail. Also some boxing in removing and the water pipes behind sinking (not the waste pipe for the toilet as that goes out directly behind the toilet).

So the quote was £3650 for the plumber and his unqualified helper/assistant. I would supply all materials except the “ancillary plumbing“ and plaster and plaster board (I’m not sure why I need that as I didn’t realise I was having anything plastered). He said the work would take a couple of days.

I thought it seemed expensive but appreciate it may be the going rate as I’ve not had a bathroom done before. So is this what I should be expecting to pay?

Couple of days

If this was a driveway and he was throwing 10men at it maybe but how many can you fit in a 2m bathroom?

As others have said here, that's not gonna happen. Some planning to do here and there will always be a small gotcha or issue if you don't plan all of it.

Not being a cynic but unless you chose what he's supplying you could be getting absolute sh't quality stuff as well as fittings traps etc which can cause issues later.

He could be a nice bloke who choses good quality stuff to build a good reputation so... referrals and reviews certainly help (and no don't use checkatrade cowboys with a tick etc)

IF i was doing that bathroom i wouldnt see the plasterer in until day 3 at the earliest.

5 days work at least with 2 of them in that little space and that's going some for a nice finish with detail id say more in reality.

 

[Elixa]

Couple of days

If this was a driveway and he was throwing 10men at it maybe but how many can you fit in a 2m bathroom?

As others have said here, that's not gonna happen. Some planning to do here and there will always be a small gotcha or issue if you don't plan all of it.

Not being a cynic but unless you chose what he's supplying you could be getting absolute sh't quality stuff as well as fittings traps etc which can cause issues later.

He could be a nice bloke who choses good quality stuff to build a good reputation so... referrals and reviews certainly help (and no don't use checkatrade cowboys with a tick etc)

IF i was doing that bathroom i wouldnt see the plasterer in until day 3 at the earliest.

5 days work at least with 2 of them in that little space and that's going some for a nice finish with detail id say more in reality.

He’s not using a plasterer, he does all that himself, just needed help with the electrics. So if it’s a weeks work then I just feel that £3000+ is quite a lot in wages to be honest. I know there are potentially reasons that I’m not aware of why such high wages are asked for, perhaps overheads that I’m not putting into the equation but I was thinking perhaps 2k in wages and 1.5 to 2k in materials. There’s no major remodelling going on or anything, same sized bath, sink, toilet going in exactly the same place. Although I’m getting the impression that changing from
an electric shower to a mixer one is a lot more work than I thought. And I now see the issues of taking the tiles off the wall and replastering.

 

[festive]

He’s not using a plasterer, he does all that himself, just needed help with the electrics. So if it’s a weeks work then I just feel that £3000+ is quite a lot in wages to be honest. I know there are potentially reasons that I’m not aware of why such high wages are asked for, perhaps overheads that I’m not putting into the equation but I was thinking perhaps 2k in wages and 1.5 to 2k in materials. There’s no major remodelling going on or anything, same sized bath, sink, toilet going in exactly the same place. Although I’m getting the impression that changing from
an electric shower to a mixer one is a lot more work than I thought. And I now see the issues of taking the tiles off the wall and replastering.

Funny old thing the builder world, they get ever so sh'tty fast when you ask for a break down and how long it's going to take it.

I used to use a chap who quoted all his work by a fixed price on sq'm or days and he was always true to his word and work, couldn't book him for less then about 4months plus most of the time.

But whenever i asked him he was always keen to detail why and always added contingency for a job as something always went wrong or cropped up. This is the extra factor charged i appreciated but it was always explained and detailed so i didn't feel i was being stiffed.
If he's worth his salt he will break down and explain / justify or will get stroppy and tell you to find someone else. And yes i agree it sounds steep, but if he said it's gonna take me 2 weeks to do and this is what i charge a day.. all a sudden there's no smoke and mirror alarms going.

 

[Elixa]

Funny old thing the builder world, they get ever so sh'tty fast when you ask for a break down and how long it's going to take it.

I used to use a chap who quoted all his work by a fixed price on sq'm or days and he was always true to his word and work, couldn't book him for less then about 4months plus most of the time.

But whenever i asked him he was always keen to detail why and always added contingency for a job as something always went wrong or cropped up. This is the extra factor charged i appreciated but it was always explained and detailed so i didn't feel i was being stiffed.
If he's worth his salt he will break down and explain / justify or will get stroppy and tell you to find someone else. And yes i agree it sounds steep, but if he said it's gonna take me 2 weeks to do and this is what i charge a day.. all a sudden there's no smoke and mirror alarms going.

Yes I agree, if that is what he charges then that is what he charges, regardless of if it is steep. I just wanted an idea of if this was reasonable, I’m concluding that it is on the high side but not a complete rip off. But I think I can get it done for less. After a lot of enquiries I am now looking at another option, which is using different trades separately, this will work out a lot cheaper but it will also take longer and may give me a headache organising different busy people to come in at different times and leave me without a bathroom for much longer than I wanted. I have a tiler and a plasterer that both charge me £150 day rate. A plumber who will fit the suite/shower and sink the pipes for £680 and then then someone for electrics side for minimal money (says he wants nothing but I wouldn’t feel comfortable with that). It’s not ideal but I think it’s that or no new bathroom!

 

[noseall]

I want a grand per week minimum.

 

[Elixa]

I want a grand per week minimum.

yeah that seems fair, the debate was if 3 grand per week was excessive

 

[ReganAndCarter]

an electric shower to a mixer one is a lot more work than I thought. And I now see the issues of taking the tiles off the wall and replastering.

You're beginning to see that what may appear quick, easy and straightforward isn't. That's what takes the time and skill, but you plumber has shot himself in the foot by giving an unrealistically short timescale. Allowing for the fact that you're not experienced in these matters, it needs to be pointed out that the plumber definitely isn't working for 'wages'. He has all number of overheads plus tax just for starters. Then a contingency for problems, etc, etc, etc - it's endless when broken down. And don't forget he doesn't get holiday or sick pay. Anyone in business who works for wages won't last long. When you go to Asda for a loaf, you're not just paying for the staff's wages and the cost of the loaf. Am I the only one who thinks the price isn't too far off (without seeing the job). But get more qoutes and if they're all similar, that's the price.

 

[JP_]

I'd suggest to your plumber to not use plasterboard (even the green moisture resistant stuff) and use a proper board designed for showers, such as Hardiebacker. It's more expensive and harder to work with, but it will last and you're less likely to have all your tiles fall off in 5 years. Make sure they tank it too - taped and painted with 2-3 coats of tanking solution.

 

[Notch7]

I want a grand per week minimum.

Skiing isn't cheap

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Although I’m getting the impression that changing from
an electric shower to a mixer one is a lot more work than I thought.

It might be, depending on your hot water system type.

 

[EFLImpudence]

It might be no matter what system it is.

 

[Elixa]

You're beginning to see that what may appear quick, easy and straightforward isn't. That's what takes the time and skill, but you plumber has shot himself in the foot by giving an unrealistically short timescale. Allowing for the fact that you're not experienced in these matters, it needs to be pointed out that the plumber definitely isn't working for 'wages'. He has all number of overheads plus tax just for starters. Then a contingency for problems, etc, etc, etc - it's endless when broken down. And don't forget he doesn't get holiday or sick pay. Anyone in business who works for wages won't last long. When you go to Asda for a loaf, you're not just paying for the staff's wages and the cost of the loaf. Am I the only one who thinks the price isn't

I don’t think the work will be quick easy and straightforward, had my kitchen completely renovated and definitely saw how complicated “simple” jobs could be! But I never paid anything like that in wages (or fees, whatever the preferred term is) to anyone. As an example, I paid 2 (self employed) fitters £1500 to fit the units, (I can’t remember now but that was 3 or 4 days they were here) including what I would see as pretty skilled work in cutting oak worktops with a Belfast sink. So I suppose I was just a bit surprised at the £3000+ for just labour for what most people seem to be having an educated guess as being for weeks worth of work. And yes I had accounted for tax, and also understand how being self employed works. Ex partner was self employed and the tidy sum he received in tax back every April accounted for holiday and sick pay. He also claimed relief on absolutely everything, not to mention what gets declared, ahem. Sooo taking all that into account.... I still feel that around 3k for a weeks work is lot of money, for anyone, be that a doctor or a plumber. Tradesmen obviously earn very good money, and why shouldn’t they? No problem with this at all, they are entitled to charge what they want. I was merely querying if the costs were reasonable, a lot of people agree that whilst not a rip off it’s on the high side, which has then made me think it would be wise to get further quotes.

 

[Bodd]

I advise my customers 3 weeks start to finish.

Not in all but in most Ill;
Rip up floor and replace with Marine ply.
Plaster walls and ceiling and or
use Hardiebacker in wet areas Green ply in dry areas.
Single light unless stated spots
Tile or laminate floor.
Tile or board walls. Any painting not included unless requested
It could involve cutting the sole stack to redirect.
Ill use a professional silicon man (at the right time)

Ill Give the a Labour and materials quote + an estimated bathroom furniture cost.
If they choose to go with me Ill meet them for a coffee one Saturday morning introduce them to my bathroom suppliers.
Take them multi national showrooms just for ideas.
And we pick the right stuff.

They pay supplier direct, I take responsibility, I may or may not get a cut back.

Average Bathroom of that size between £4500 - £5500
Converted shower room £6000 - £7000 Depending on what you pick.

I am to earn £450.00 per day plumbing and a fair kick on the trades.

No one doing it all can be good at it all. 2 Days this fella says.. tells it all...

 

[Bodd]

I’m a qualified professional and don’t earn near 2.5k

You need to research and hope you get a qualified professional, because there are a lot of very bad tradesmen out there.
Maybe try not to Patronise them by suggesting your profession is more skilled than theirs.

Go on the internet for ideas only but never buy online.
Do not use Bathstore
Wicks B@Q Etc
All serve good looking crap.

 

[Elixa]

.