Is this the going rate or am I being overcharged?

[Elixa]

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?

 

[Notch7]

in regards to the plasterboard, its possible the existing room is plasterboarded and removing tiles from plasterboard generally means ripping it all off.

also stripping off plasterboard allows easier access for new pipe and electric runs.

Im sorry I cant advise on the price, its easy for people on these sites scream "oh thats miles too much" without really knowing whats involved. I can see on the face of it, that seems a lot for labour, but there again it seems an awful lot of work for "a couple of days" -Id of thought more like a week given theres a rip out, new plumbing, new electrics, wall prep, floor prep, floor tile, wall tiles, grouting etc etc

I do know a complete new bathroom from a specialist bathroom company is often these days in the region of £5k-£8k which yours probably is if materials are included.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

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.

It is an awful lot to pay for two days work for two bodies, but that lot will take much longer than two days start to finish. Are you sure you did not mishear the two days?

 

[Elixa]

in regards to the plasterboard, its possible the existing room is plasterboarded and removing tiles from plasterboard generally means ripping it all off.

also stripping off plasterboard allows easier access for new pipe and electric runs.

Im sorry I cant advise on the price, its easy for people on these sites scream "oh thats miles too much" without really knowing whats involved. I can see on the face of it, that seems a lot for labour, but there again it seems an awful lot of work for "a couple of days" -Id of thought more like a week given theres a rip out, new plumbing, new electrics, wall prep, floor prep, floor tile, wall tiles, grouting etc etc

I do know a complete new bathroom from a specialist bathroom company is often these days in the region of £5k-£8k which yours probably is if materials are included.

Yes I am fully aware this may well be a fair price, I just really didn’t have a clue and now it seems my 4K budget was completely unrealistic! I did think 4K was a fairly healthy budget for such a small room, but as I would be supplying most of the materials I guess I’m looking at more like 6k.

 

[Elixa]

It is an awful lot to pay for two days work for two bodies, but that lot will take much longer than two days start to finish. Are you sure you did not mishear the two days?

You’ve got me second guessing myself now but I am sure he said 2 to 3 days. I offered (with the kind offer of help off someone) to get all the bathroom taken out and all the tiles removed so he had a blank canvas so to speak but he declined saying that was a nothing job for him and wouldn’t take long.

 

[Ihavenojob]

You do realise that by you supplying goods, if anything is wrong with the goods,the onus is on you to sort it. Did he give a price for supplying materials ?

 

[Elixa]

You do realise that by you supplying goods, if anything is wrong with the goods,the onus is on you to sort it. Did he give a price for supplying materials ?

what’s the alternative though? Show him what I want and then he goes and buys it from somewhere?

 

[dontbelieveawordofit]

2 -3 days is nigh on impossible. no it’s impossible.
plaster don’t dry that quick apart from anything else.
8 days minimum. - 2 weeks.
2800 maximum even if he’s doing a complete rip out and install for a room that size

 

[Ihavenojob]

what’s the alternative though? Show him what I want and then he goes and buys it from somewhere?

Yes, he will probably get it cheaper than you can, and have a nice mark up, but as he is supplying the goods, any problems will be down to him. He will most likely have accounts at certain merchants, and be able to sort things quickly if there are problems. Nothing worse than starting, only to find something broken/missing, and you having to sort it out.

 

[Notch7]

2 -3 days is nigh on impossible. no it’s impossible.
plaster don’t dry that quick apart from anything else.
8 days minimum. - 2 weeks.
2800 maximum even if he’s doing a complete rip out and install.

Yeah, your time limit seems more realistic.

I think Elixa has a realistic budget of £4k -but your a pro that does this stuff, what do you think?

 

[Elixa]

in regards to the plasterboard, its possible the existing room is plasterboarded and removing tiles from plasterboard generally means ripping it all off.

also stripping off plasterboard allows easier access for new pipe and electric runs.

Im sorry I cant advise on the price, its easy for people on these sites scream "oh thats miles too much" without really knowing whats involved. I can see on the face of it, that seems a lot for labour, but there again it seems an awful lot of work for "a couple of days" -Id of thought more like a week given theres a rip out, new plumbing, new electrics, wall prep, floor prep, floor tile, wall tiles, grouting etc etc

I do know a complete new bathroom from a specialist bathroom company is often these days in the region of £5k-£8k which yours probably is if materials are included.

I appreciate that tradesmen are skilled and you are paying for their experience as well as hard work but if the materials he was supplying cost £650 for example, even if the work took a week (and £500 to his helper?) 2.5k a week in wages seems huge! Doctors don’t earn that! Lol. Of course they are entitled to charge what they like, and if this is the going rate then fair enough, but I just wanted to get an idea of this is a reasonable price. Seems it is so fair enough.

 

[dontbelieveawordofit]

for the record , plumbers don’t necessarily make good plasterers or tilers. the price suggests to me that he will sub some of the work out. i’d be looking for a pucker multitrade from recommendation . that way he plans and does everything in advance of himself and nothing looks disjointed.

 

[Elixa]

for the record , plumbers don’t necessarily make good plasterers or tilers. the price suggests to me that he will sub some of the work out. i’d be looking for a pucker multitrade from recommendation . that way he plans and does everything in advance of himself and nothing looks disjointed.

He said he does everything himself and just has an unqualified helper type thing. Except the electrics.

 

[dontbelieveawordofit]

Yeah, your time limit seems more realistic.

I think Elixa has a realistic budget of £4k -but your a pro that does this stuff, what do you think?

£4500 -£4800 with everything. if he’s decent he’ll have a trade account with t&b co or topps and pass the discount on your tiles and adhesives on to you.

 

[EddieM]

I appreciate that tradesmen are skilled and you are paying for their experience as well as hard work but if the materials he was supplying cost £650 for example, even if the work took a week (and £500 to his helper?) 2.5k a week in wages seems huge! Doctors don’t earn that! Lol. Of course they are entitled to charge what they like, and if this is the going rate then fair enough, but I just wanted to get an idea of this is a reasonable price. Seems it is so fair enough.

Obs as none of us can see the job, your best recourse it to try to obtain other quotes and compare.