Cost of a kitchen fitter

[NeedAHoliday2021]

Would anyone be able to share what they paid for a kitchen fitter?

My parents had a quote from their builder but they’ve just learned he’s pocketed the £2000 Howdens discount himself and over charged on other bits. I’m wondering how unreasonable the quote was. This is a fairly average kitchen size with no island.

We paid £1000k for the fitter, £1300 for electrician and then more for splash backs, flooring etc.

All sounds very odd why would they not have asked more than one builder to quote for the work? As they are experienced having done this before.
Also have they purchased the kitchen using his discount then gone to another to fit or will the new fitter supply the kitchen?
Anyway sounds like it’s all resolved so move on.
Main reasons for leaving a job is normally difficult clients or slow payers.

They had 3 quotes for initial building work and chose a builder from that. That didn’t include the kitchen as they intended to get fitter quotes but then, while talking about the kitchen the builder mentioned he’d be happy to do that. For convenience they thought it would be good for him to just continue the work. It’s not that strange really. They were waiting for his quote and if it was around what they expected they would have said for him to continue but it was higher than expected so they queried it and said they’d like a comparison. He then walked out. Going by other quotes, he was high priced. I can only assume your the builder if you think it must be 100% my parents fault. Surely an experienced builder would know you give a customer a quote before expecting them to agree work?

Howdens are a " trade " only business although they have showrooms etc for the public to go into

They are able to show one price to customer and one to builder and also able to credit his account by way of a kickback or credit his account

Part of a builders profit will generally be on the materials supplied as well as on labour , its called Overhead and Profit OHP

A decent kitchen fitter that is able to handle elecrics and gas and water that works for me is £300 per day and earns more on pricework

Plumbers and electricians are on similar amounts but most prefer pricework

Any quotes should always be agreed prior to any work starting

If we start a larger job we always give a day rate sheet so if the client asks for any additional work they know what to expect in advance

@NeedAHoliday2021 you’re obviously upset by it but it sounds like it ended fine - he didn’t do the work, you’ve got a better price and you sound happy with the other work he did and the new prices you’ve got. Wouldn’t it be funny if @Berylbee was your builder - not sure how many builders stalk mumsnet looking for disgruntled customers - but the thought of that did make me chuckle 🤣.

OP do you not think that it's a bit unfair of your parents to have used the builders trade discount to buy their kitchen?

I get that his quote was not in line with their expectations but why did they go ahead and order the kitchen on his account when they had not agreed a price for him fitting it??

I'm also very surprised they can find someone else able to fit the kitchen they have now bought without a significant delay. Round here you would be waiting many months to get good trades lined up.

Agree with OP. Sounds like they have dodged a bullet. They gave their discount only to benefit themselves. So howdens get less money but they pocket from your parents so either way your parents are paying the money just not to Howdens to the builders themselves. Thats fine if they put it in their breakdown and your parents are entitled to refuse. Having done our first renovation I've realised its not always worth paying extra for the convenience as some builders end up taking advantage. Good for them for going with the other builders, I hope the delay is worth the saving.

We hired an independent fitter recommended by our builder. £1800 and he was fantastic. Big kitchen including some beapoke worktop shaping; South-East England.

The Howdens ‘discount’ is very dodgy in my opinion.

As a general rule, nearly every kitchen takes at least 60 man (woman) hours to fit. As a general rule, few kitchens take more than 85 man (woman) hours to fit. .... in the south east, you are looking at £30-£36 per hour for a tradesman. . . So, anywhere between £1,900 and £3,000 depending on the kitchen. (Wife of fitter).

@NeedAHoliday2021

Hi

How are your parents getting on?

(I didn't want to ask you onthe other thread we were both on)

@NovemberNovemberDarkNights the plasterer had finished today and kitchen is being fitted Monday onwards. Turns out their local Howdens has had issues with the builder before. My parents are doing a whole house refit so have a good relationship with Howdens. I think they were very trusting as always had good experiences with builders previously on 2 other house renovations. New plasterer and kitchen fitter are much more communicative and my mum sounds I lot happier. The worktop is delayed until January but she’s surprisingly chilled about that.