Kitchen estimate a third over in the end

[LOVELYDOVEY05]

I understand that it is hard to predict what is behind old units and appliances etc but the amount of a third is quite a lot. The estimate says to supply and fit a xxx kitchen with gas hob electric cooker and extractor. I find that an amount of some £120 has been added for connecting the gas hob to the gas supply but I thought that that would be included Extra charge for hinges but surely they would be included in the kitchen fitting? £200 extra for electrics with a third socket having to be put in for the extractor but that would have been obvious at the start? Then £500 for a new electric circuit board.

If it was called an estimate then I'm afraid there's not a great deal you can do. On connecting the hob - was the gas supt already in the right place? If so the charge for that is excessive. Query why they've charged so much for hinges - weren't there hinges with the kitchen or did you ask for something that wasn't standard?

Were these extra costs pointed out along the way or just added to the bill at the end?

Supt = supply

£120 sounds like an amount to cover a gas fitter coming in and doing it.

Unlike gas cookers, which usually have a thick rubber hose with bayonet connector which can notionally be plugged and unplugged by the homeowner, gas hobs are fitted using fixed rigid piping, which must be done by a gas-safe engineer.

if your order included "install gas hob" it should not be an extra.

You mention "Then £500 for a new electric circuit board."

What are the exact words on the bill?

This is important.

If you are in England, and it is a new consumer unit or a new circuit, it must be installed and certificated by a qualified electrician who is a member of one of the Competent Person schemes; who must issue an Electrical Installation Certificate.

For example
It is not a valid excuse for the electrician to say he is withholding it because he hasn't been paid.

Rules vary somewhat in other parts of the UK