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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to have asked for a breakdown of a quote

38 replies

AltShiftDelete · 01/02/2012 07:47

DH has a flat which is rented out. The boiler broke 3 weeks ago and you would not believe the debacle in trying to get it fixed for the tenants.

Anyway latest is that it needs to be converted to an electric boiler. Apparently, 2 other flats in the block have done so recently, by someone who lives in the flats so we asked for a quote.

It's come back a 4k plus. My Dh, balked a little so asked for a breakdown of the quote and received this response...

In what respect do you require a breakdown of costs?

We would suggest that there are other companies that can install an unvented hot water system for you and may be able to offer it at a more affordable cost, it may be worth while asking the managing agent to look into it for you.
They may use inferior quality products so do make sure they are quoting for the same product though

Then this ...

Unfortunatley we do not operate on a time and materials basis the cost of the job is represenative of what the average install costs is at this type of property.

Are they having a laugh? Who can't work out the breakdown of their own estimate?

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 01/02/2012 07:48

Blimey, sounds like time to get another quote. It sounds quite arsey doesn't it?

Bossybritches22 · 01/02/2012 07:50

Oh NEXT!

Can't be bothered with that attitude, if they think they can afford to be like that in the current economic climate then they'll not last long!

Bossybritches22 · 01/02/2012 07:51

Sorry

YANBU

Sparklingbrook · 01/02/2012 07:51

Oh yes YANBU. Well reminded Bossy.

Original poster

AltShiftDelete · 01/02/2012 07:52

My husband was completely taken aback by their response (which is why he got me involved). However, we don't know much about boliers and maybe if you've got a great product you can afford to be an utter arse indifferent.

OP posts:

mumblechum1 · 01/02/2012 07:53

Just write back and say, "Sorry, you've lost my business. Can't be bothered to tell you why".

HopeEternal · 01/02/2012 08:02

Why does it need to be converted to an electric boiler? Who told you this? Just because two other flats in the block have converted it doesn't necessarily follow that you must do so as well.

Bossybritches22 · 01/02/2012 08:02

mumblechum1

Excellent!

ASD When you get a decent quote, and good service make sure your other neighbours know about the rip-off merchant!

Amateurish · 01/02/2012 08:10

When I got a quote for installation of an electric boiler, it came back at about the same amount.

We didn't go ahead.

lisianthus · 01/02/2012 08:10

We just had a new electric thermal store put in for a lot less than that. Genuine parts, totally reputable installer. If they won't give you a breakdown of the costs/parts like any reputable business would, then it's pretty much a given that they are trying to take you for a ride.

KittyFane · 01/02/2012 08:13

YANBU.
I always ask for a quote in 3 parts.

How much for materials.
How much for labour.
Estimated time for completion.

Sparklingbrook · 01/02/2012 08:15

You should reply that you wanted a breakdown because it seemed awfully cheap in comparison to the other quotes you had. But due to their inability to supply a breakdown you have gone with one of the more expensive quotes.

lifesalongsong · 01/02/2012 08:16

Definitely wouldn't go ahead with him. If possible I'd try and get word of mouth recommendation or at last start with British Gas who will give you probably a top end quote but at least its going to be a genuine one and it gives you a starting point.

chocolatchaud · 01/02/2012 08:20

sparkling that's a good plan. When we had a new boiler (around £700 I think), I chose the one I wanted and said to the plumber that I would phone up to order it from the merchants (had already had several conversations with them, so they knew what I wanted).

He said that it was no problem, he would do it for me.

When the bill came, he had added on his usual 30% mark-up for parts! I was livid!

lisianthus · 01/02/2012 08:23

For the avoidance of doubt, I'm not suggesting they give you a breakdown of the cost of the last nut and bolt, but they should be saying something like "we think it will take two people, working at our normal hourly rate of £x, about a day to put it in, so that's a labour charge of £X, (plus VAT) and we estimate that sourcing and supplying the new boiler and extra parts, and disposing of the existing boiler will cost you £Y (plus VAT)"

As you should know the type of boiler that is to be installed, this gives you a chance to go on-line and price boilers of that type, which will be the majority of the materials cost, and you will be able to do a rough assessment, allowing a few hundred pounds for the other stuff, of whether they are adding on a huge cheeky extra profit for that. When we did that with one lot, we discovered that they were trying to add about £2,000 on top of the cost of the materials for doing us the favour of going on-line and buying the materials for us! If we had had to pay that, we would have had to stick with boiling pots on the stove for hot water as there's no way we could have afforded that.

Original poster

AltShiftDelete · 01/02/2012 08:24

The quotes for new boiler included building a space for it in the spare room if it wasn't electric. Honestly, i have no idea why it's so complicated. The flat was a new build 10 years ago.

I think the electric boiler guy doesn't want to admit that he's conned a couple of his neighbours.

OP posts:

chocolatchaud · 01/02/2012 08:26

Wouldn't the neighbours have had a few quotes at the time, though?

Perhaps his wasn't so out of the ordinary (does seem a huge amount though)

FredFredGeorge · 01/02/2012 08:28

YABU They're not that interested in the job, and don't want the hassle of providing more detail on a quote when you're obviously not that interested in paying the going rate.

Not every company is desperate for business. If they don't work on time and materials, they can't break down the cost for you and I think their response is perfectly reasonable. Would you rather they made up some stuff?

KittyFane · 01/02/2012 08:35

Fred -YABU They're not that interested in the job, and don't want the hassle of providing more detail on a quote when you're obviously not that interested in paying the going rate.
Another reason not to give them the job Fred.
Arrogant and cocky workmen who are too 'busy' to give the customer a detailed breakdown of what they are paying for.

KittyFane · 01/02/2012 08:37

Also, Would you rather they made up some stuff?
Cost of parts + Cost of labour + VAT = Quote.
Why make stuff up?

maras2 · 01/02/2012 08:38

We've just had a complete, new heating system installed with new boiler and 8 radiators.It cost less than £4,000 including labour.You are NBU.

FredFredGeorge · 01/02/2012 08:41

KittyFane Oh no way should you give them the job, they're not interested either - I just don't think it's too an unreasonable way for them to be saying "no thanks".

GnomeDePlume · 01/02/2012 08:42

DH is an electrician. When he quotes he gives a detailed breakdown of what is included in the job. He will detail what he is supplying and what is being supplied by the customer. He will give an estimated time for completion. His quote will make clear the validity for the quote (normally 30 days).

However, he doesnt and TBH cant give a detailed breakdown of precise material cost as he wont know exactly what quantity of materials he will use (eg cable which is not an inconsiderable cost). If asked he would detail the cost of big ticket items (consumer units for him). The rest of the cost will be a mixture of time, travel and sundry materials.

It would be legitimate for you to ask precisely what they are charging for ie scope of the job, what work will be done, what level of making good is included. With that information you can then get other quotes and compare them.

There is no legal or moral obligation on a tradesman to give 'full disclosure' on how much he pays himself, what discounts he gets, what materials he is taking from his stock, what overheads he has to cover. It's up to you to decide if it is worth the price.

Also DH is questioning why you need an electric boiler, surely there is enough ventilation for a gas boiler?

PeneloPeePitstop · 01/02/2012 08:44

YANBU.
Any reputable workman should be transparent enough to provide a parts/labour breakdown.

Not doing so suggests they have something to hide.

KittyFane · 01/02/2012 08:47

Fred everyone is a winner then.

Shame the company wasted their precious and busy time coming out to price the job and writing to customer really.
Most good tradesmen I have come across have a rough idea of cost time from the description of the job I give them on first contact. If they are too busy, they tell me then.

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