Carpet quote - all lumped in one - is this normal practice?

[NoIdeasForWittyNickname]

We're looking at getting new carpets fitted throughout the first floor in our house. Got in touch with a local family-run shop, which has very good reviews. We discussed the types of carpet, then they visited, measured up, and provided a quote. My issue is that the quote is just one lump sum, without showing the break down for materials (carpet, underlay, grippers) and fitting. When I questioned that, they said it's just how they do things. Is this normal?

Did you go to a showroom to choose and see price per metre of each carpet? We also use a family firm and know the price per metre of the carpet but the quote once they'd measured was all lumped together (new carpet, underlay, actual labour to fit). I don't know if that's usual though as we have only ever used the same firm!

We have always had itemised quotes for carpets so not normal in my experience.

@FrancesFlute, thank you for your reply. Yes, I did go to the show room and had an idea about price per sq. m. It's just the quote has came up much higher than I anticipated (based on my own rough calculations). Although I know that sometimes it's necessary to buy much more carpet than the actual rooms' area due to carpet's standard sizes. Not sure same is true for underlay as it probably doesn't matter if there's a joint in the middle of the room?

Have you asked them for a breakdown ?

Yes, once they told me the lump sum, I asked if they can provide an itemised quote. They said they don't do that as there's nothing in the quote they can take away, so it is what it is - take it or lump it It feels odd to me.

It may well be as carpets come in standard widths generally so even if you've done your calculation for how much you actually need, you will be be charge width by length for example. May well be why the quote is higher than expected. Eg if the carpet widths come standard as 2/4/6 m and your room width is 3 m you'd be charge for the 4m x the length as such.

Ask them what the cot would be for carpet only without fitting. If they won't do that then go elsewhere. You will probably get a better deal somewhere else anyway. When I have had carpet fitted they provided a breakdown and also helped me to make savings by removing old carpet myself, reusing underlay etc.

@NoIdeasForWittyNickname

Yes, once they told me the lump sum, I asked if they can provide an itemised quote. They said they don't do that as there's nothing in the quote they can take away, so it is what it is - take it or lump it It feels odd to me.

So leave it I find it’s best ( and cheapest to shop local for carpets) ..... we have recently had 2 carpets fitted....hall stairs and landings plus a bedroom carpet....this was itemised for each carpet, underlay and grips/rods....we then pay cash to their fitter on the day....who fits the carpets....again this is detailed on the invoice.

Go elsewhere

They are obviously hiding something if they don't want to share the breakdown

I wouldn't trust and I'd make that clear by voting with my feet.

Agree local
Carpet shops are a good bet.

We use local and the final price is always a lump sum but prior to that point they write down price per m of the carpet and price per m of the underlay - normally have 3 or 4 price points for that. Have you asked them what thickness underlay they've priced up? If the carpet is thick you don't always need the most expensive underlay. We've always paid fitters on the day so they obviously tell us that price too.

Ask them for a supply only quote. The big players can offer free fitting because they include that on the price of the carpet.

I'm surprised by that. When we had our flat recarpeted they did us a breakdown because they had different price points for grippers, bars, underlay etc (and obviously tried to upsell us on all these, but the point is we could see the breakdown!)

@Baker90, yes, that's what I'm wondering. It may be totally justifyable.

@mewkins - a good idea.

@Kitkat151 - that's what I thought and this is a little local shop (just around the corner form CarpetRight).

Nope. Mine was broken down into different sections. Grips underfloor carpet and fitting costs.

I find it odd that they won't provide a breakdown at all. It's not like you are asking for a discount. Just to know what you are paying for.

And surely there are different types of underlay at least. I wouldn't accept it and would walk away.

@NoIdeasForWittyNickname

Yes, once they told me the lump sum, I asked if they can provide an itemised quote. They said they don't do that as there's nothing in the quote they can take away, so it is what it is - take it or lump it It feels odd to me.

That's rubbish. You can reduce the quality of the underlay, re-use grippers etc etc to bring costs down usually.

They sound really obstructive uncooperative and dodgy

The quality of the underlay is very important, you should ask what brand / duty they are including. A cheap underlay will mean your carpet won't wear well.

www.underlay-direct.uk/shop-information/which-underlay

(The above company is nothing to do with me!)

@NoIdeasForWittyNickname

Yes, once they told me the lump sum, I asked if they can provide an itemised quote. They said they don't do that as there's nothing in the quote they can take away, so it is what it is - take it or lump it It feels odd to me.

I’d agree with that as it’s a complete package. They simply don’t want potential customers arguing that they can get the underlay for £1 per sq m cheaper elsewhere. It’s pretty standard to quote that way for complete packages.

What was your cost-per-metre price?

Factor in that carpet generally comes in 4m widths, if you have a 3x3m room you'll be paying for 3x4m. Underlay can come up at the same price as cheap carpet, so that would double your initial cost. Then add in gripper and door bars. On top of that is the fitter's fee which may be more than you were expecting.

Maybe go to carpetright and see how they compare. You're not getting roll-ends and a independent shop doesn't have the buying power of a big chain.

But most places will sell carpets, underlay, threshold things separately if you ask them. It is also in their interests to sell stuff! I've never been to a carpet shop where they wouldn't just sell you carpet if you want it. How odd.

Did you discuss how much gripper your needed, what quality of underlay and what thresholds you needed? IME this all needs to be specified so it's down in writing what they are contracting to provide. I wouldn't be too worried about getting a separate prices for each element but I would expect to see it detailed. Otherwise what's to stop them just giving you the cheapest underlay when you asked for a better one, or increasing the charge on the day because they didn't allow enough gripper rod?

I have some sympathy with them not breaking it down in too much detail, because it's easier to source cheaper underlay on the internet than they'll be charging. However it's completely reasonable for you to get a detailed spec of what's included. I've always had them explain to me how they have found the most efficient way to use the standard width too, so I can see they are trying to minimise costs.

Thanks a lot to all of you for the replies. I've spoken to them again this afternoon, trying to get more details, but no luck.

I appreciate what some of you are saying about the "complete package" approach being used by independent businesses in an attempt to protect themselves from customers incessantly challenging detailed quotes based on prices from internet shops.

Re underlay, they mentioned 10mm Cloud 9.

Also very good points about stadard widths by @UhOhOops - I've looked up the carpet specs and had another look at our floorplan. Technically, the area that will be carpeted totals 33 sq.m, but it looks like we may have to purchase around 45-46 sq.m of carpet. With that in mind, their quote begins to make more sense (but not their attitude!).

It's frustrating I have to play a detective to prove to myself their quote is fair. It's been 17 years since we last shopped for carpets, so it's all very confusing.

Going to contact a couple of other places tomorrow for like-for-like quotes and see what transpires.

By the way Cloud 9 is a range of underlays rather than a specific one ( it's a bit like saying it's a Ford car)
They should specify the actual product they are quoting,

e.g. www.underlay-direct.uk/12/101/cloud-9-underlay