to have asked for a breakdown of a quote

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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?

Oh, please do what mumblechum said, it's genius!

I reckon you've had a lucky escape.

As a service provider myself, I wouldn't get any business with the lack of politeness in their email, you are totally within your rights to ask them for a breakdown, what a cheek!

I wouldn't give them the business as:
(1) They are rude
(2) They have not given a break down
(3) They sound suspicious ... why are their backs up at a SIMPLE request?
(4) If BEFORE care is so bad, imagine what AFTER care will be like.. what if something went wrong..??? Imagine how rude they'd then be!

Don't touch them.

The disadvantage of buying the materials instead of the contractor doing so is that if there are problems the question of responsibility becomes complicated.

I had a project where the client insisted on buying all the built-in appliances direct from a well-known store. When the cooker failed the electrician was quite within his rights to refuse to repair it (the problem was not related to the fitting). The manufacturer was willing to send out a repairman but he insisted that the installer remove the cooker before he would work on it. The client ended up having to get her neighbour to come round and help. Whilst putting the cooker back after it had been fixed he trapped and broke his little finger!

On another project the client - a care group who owned several old peoples homes - bought all the door closers direct. Several failed and the builder charged to replace every one even though the manufacturer supplied free replacements.

Especially for something like a boiler installation, the quotations should include for all materials.

i used to work for a central heating company, we didn't give an exact breakdown, as a lot of the time we had stocks of sundries and bought boilers, flues etc in bulk. We allocated a set price for labour and materials, but couldn't break it down more than that. We also would not fit a boiler we hadn't supplied, as a previous poster said, responsibilty for breakdowns etc after becomes a bit hazy.
Not sure why you need an electric boiler, they are quite expensive to run.

I got a new boiler, new shower and 3 new radiations fitted for £2600 and they put in my new bath for 3 because they were there....

That's a big bath

What they mean is that they are royally ripping people off and can't actually justify their prices.

Why did I put that?!

for free

No idea! shakes head then hangs in shame

We wouldn't expect a minutae break down but - it was the 'yeah, look somewhere else, but check their products are as good as ours' in the first email that took DH aback, as we don't even know what products are (or cost!).

There is a long winded explanation of why we are not getting a gas boiler which DH told me but i didn't listen too, that was initally the preferred option.

We'll go somewhere else, ElizabethDarcy nailed it for me about the attitude problem. I get loads of quotes for all other aspects of my life but just hadn't experienced this 'tude before. It soured the relationship before it began, TBH.

and thank you to Kayano and Body Transplant for putting a smile on this cold ridden, sleep deprived face for the first time today!

in fact a heartfelt thank you to all of you for even responding to my rather dull AIBU!

It's great to be on someone else's behalf AltShift.

Not dull - I like stuff like this!! BTW I agree about attitude - best avoided.

Also agree about the supply/fit thing. My builder came back several times to sort out a problem with the boiler, no quibble at all although the boiler not the fitting was faulty. He can then claim from the manufacturer if he wants to.

YANBU to ask for breakdown but it is true that the way some people work they give a fixed price based on an average time taken to do the job. They cd still give you a bit more info though.

fred has a point when he mentions people who don't want to pay the going rate, (though I didn't get the impression that is you OP). I have had quotes pulled apart, challenged, quibbled over by people who just want everything cheap until in the end the job's not worth doing.

Hope you get it sorted out soon. Bloody freezing now!!