Let down by bathroom fitter

[House1999]

I was provided a quote in April 2022 to renovate, install a new bathroom and fully tile.

I was told there would be a long wait. I was asked to pay a deposit to secure a date of 26.09.22, the date moved a further 2 times.

On 10.11.22, 2 working days before the fitter was due to fit the bathroom he asked me what size tiles I had chosen and I informed him they were 60x60cm.

The fitter refused to fit my bathroom unless I agreed to pay him £700 more.

I thought quotes are legally binding and he has not fulfilled his obligations leaving me with no fitter after having spent over £4000 on a bathroom suite and tiles, both of which are being delivered next week. I believe this is very unethical.

At no point did he say the size of the tile could change the overall quote.

I think this information should have been included on the quote and discussed with me.

The quote from the fitter was for £6200 for fitting only with me supplying bathroom and tiles.

He wanted an extra £700 which I don’t have so he refused to go ahead. He was going to start on Monday 14th November.

I have rang a few more fitters but they are booked up month ahead.

I’m really disappointed.

Where are you op. A friend of mine has just cancelled her fitter as can no longer afford the work, so if you keep trying a few more fitters you might find one who has had a cancellation

I'm currently having one fit. It's a nightmare and several of the specs are changed in the fitters favour. It took me ages to book someone too. I feel your pain.

I gather that large tiles are very much harder to fit, but he really ought to have asked what tiles you were having before giving you the quote.

Thank you for your replies.

I have rang a few other fitters. One fitter should have turned up yesterday. I have another due to come today and on one on Monday.

Fingers crossed they turn up.

What a nightmare. I agree he should have checked the size of tiles on his original quote and notified you at the time if it was going to cost you more. Hope you manage to find someone to do the work

Also I think he just doesn't want the job or can get more money elsewhere. 600 x 600 aren't particularly big tiles. We had 1200 x 600s and the fitter wasn't bothered, just had to be a bit more careful with breakages as each tile cost over £100

£6000 is very expensive.
Our bathroom cost that including fitting
Your fitter is an arse and hopefully you will find another one ASAP

I would also name and shame him on SM , Disgusting behaviour.

That's really odd about the size of the tiles. We are currently having one bathroom installed as part of loft conversion and one refitted due to getting wrecked during the building works. Our quote specified there would be extra costs for metro or mosaic tiles (presumably because they are more fiddly and so more labour intensive) but nothing about going too large.

Mines £12k!! We need adaptations or it wouldn't be getting done at these prices. Nothing fancy either just swapping bath for shower and changing loo and sink plus two grab rails. One quote I had was £15k. The actual fittings are £3500. And I'm supplying the tiles. They are in heavy demand so are charging accordingly. I wouldn't mind so much of they grafted but they don't arrive while 10 and go between 2&4. It's brutal they act like they're doing me a favour plus I've got a massive visa bill. Oh and it's taking three weeks. I swear if I was fitter I'd have done it myself.

Fair point, 600x600 isn't all that massive.
I bought a really massive porcelain type, and the shop I bought from mentioned that if I'd been buying it for fitting they would have cost a lot to fit (I was actually buying it for a painting palette). Partly the size, partly because cutting porcelain is a nightmare compared to ceramic or marble, and partly because they cost well over 60 quid for a pack of two minimum, so if the fitter just chipped one......