Cost of new kitchen & installation rise in 6 months: justified?

[Lowenna1469]

Cost of new (medium) sized kitchen has gone up by £2000 in 6 months. Was quoted nearly £11, 000 in March and now nearly £13,000. Refreshed invoice includes cost of an appliance we hadn't asked for (so that can come off) but that wouldn't account for this hike, surely.

I've just rung the company and was told that the cost of materials has gone up and up and of course this is being passed onto the consumer. I'm getting a call back soon from the person who's responsible for these invoices.

We've used this company before for a bathroom - they were good and reasonable though another quote (£7 k) for replacing simply a loo and washbasin in a very small toilet room was out of all proportion to the reasonable cost of the bathroom. We didn't go ahead at that price.

Anyone with experience of recent price hikes or with advice? I'd be very pleased to hear! The work is due to start in a few weeks.

Sounds about right - both labour shortages (due to people leaving the UK + lots of people getting work done since they are home to keep an eye on builders) + materials have all rocketed in price recently. Only thing you can do is shop around to try and find somewhere cheaper :(

Timber has gone through the roof cost wise. Seems pretty fair to me especially once you’ve removed the cost of the appliance

The world has changed.
And construction has definitely not escaped that.

Yes I'm not surprised that the quote has gone up after six months, Covid or not. But if they want your business they may honour the original quite. Depends how much they want the job.

Brexit worker shortage, Covid delays, global materials shortage, logistics issues, increased demand.

I’m surprised it’s only a £2000 increase.

I source all the materials for my cabinet maker / carpenter/ kitchen fitter husband. Nearly fell of my chair yesterday when I ordered a standard item that was £55 pre covid. Now £96 including the VAT. (It's a type of varnish). MDF, etc, all up 40% as a rule. If you don't like their price, shop around, but I very much doubt your'll save much. Everyone is in the sane boat.

Yep. Normal for now. I know of one tradesman who has had to re-quote for lots of jobs and they are around 40% more now.

Many thanks, all, for these insights which I've found very helpful indeed.

I've spoken to the sales manager who told me that he's had to phone customers who've paid deposits and gently tell them of eg 37% price hikes on their original estimates because of eg the now very high cost of timber. This is a fairly small business, employing local staff and I do trust them. The substantial increase hit me hard, though, as I'd budgeted for the original cost - something I'd have in common with most other customers, I guess.

Yes I’ve had two big constructions done this year. Both contractors were grumbling about how much wood and other materials had gone up. And said it was taking longer to get them too.

Shipping containers that used to cost £2.5k a year ago now cost £20k. Prices of materials and components are through the roof. Plus there’s a shortage of fitters. I’m surprised the price increase is only £2k.

Surly if you’ve paid a deposit you’ve agreed a price in contract through? If that’s the case and it wasn’t an estimate then the company can’t just charge you more

I was just about to say the same as catcrazy. If you’ve paid the deposit and sighed a contract with that amount stated then they can’t just change the amount.
We had this with a small patio in the spring but the guy honoured them original quote.

My husband works in heavy construction (think huge office towers, etc) and their materials and labor costs have gone through the roof, and they have economies of scale on their side. It will be even worse for the smaller-scale residential contractors. Water-cooler talk at hubs' work places this more on Brexit than Covid and seems that it will be a long term change, not just a blip (not to get political, just to say that this might be a longer-haul problem).

Surly if you’ve paid a deposit you’ve agreed a price in contract through?
The company can increase the price as long as you have the option to decline and have your deposit returned.