Is this joinery quote taking the p***?

[razza13]

We need our front door stripped, repaired, painted, plus the door frame and panel above it are rotten and need replacing. The whole thing also needs to be made windproof and rainproof. Our local joiner has suggested that he will need to cut out part of the tiled doorstep so that the sloping water board at the bottom of the door will fit better and stop water coming in under the door.

This is all complicated by the fact that the door and frame are a Gothic arch shape.

This guy is done great work for us before, so I don't doubt that his suggestions are valid, however he has quoted nearly £4000 to do the job and my DH is saying it is way too high.

Any thoughts? Should I try to convince DH that this is simply what it costs for a skilled joiner , or am I being gullible?

You don’t need to touch the tiled step, a stormguard can fitted under the door and that will keep any water/draughts out. They do low profile ones so not an issue to step over. You can also get them that just fit on the bottom of the door behind the weather bar , you don’t have anything on the step then.

Sounds fair to me, there's a lot of work and skill in that job. Plus the wood, unless you want crap wood that will rot in no time.

It's beautiful! it does need a lot of work, but £4k is a bit steep. Have you got an itemised estimate? also, can we see it when it is finished please!

Good quality seasoned wood is most certainly NOT pennies.

If you are using cheap wood, your door will be rotten inside 5 years.

Hi all... thanks for the more recent replies, only just seen them! The door isn't in the skip :). I was persuaded by those who highlighted the risk of the door being 'butchered' (which would be the likely result of us doing it ourselves!) So we booked the joiner in the end, but we're still waiting for him to do the job, as it seems his expertise is in high demand. Hopefully starting next week!

Sounds like an almighty rip off to me!

You could have a new composite door fitted for a lot less!

Yeah, and you'd have a nasty modern door rather than a beautiful original feature.

No, there are many styles to choose from, and it will last a very long time.

Yep, and how hideous would that be!

And it will still never be a beautiful original feature. Treat your original door well and it will also last a very long time and look beautiful at the same time.

Still think that quote is over the top!

You are lucky you can get somebody skilled enough to sort it out.

This world definitely does not need more plastic in the place of wood

wow, the point of this thread clearly has flown over your head

No it hasn’t. However skilled the man is the quote sounds exorbitant!

Have you got some evidence to support that assertion? Experience in the trade?

Or is it just "feelz"?

Are the tiles an original feature in a period property? If so, the solution of filing or changing them in any way needs querying and would certainly make me look for a different quote/spec.

It is a lot of money….materials say £500. If it takes a week to do it all …thats £3500 for a weeks labour……..yes i have done similar before.

I'd try getting a couple more like for like quotes and see if they are similar. If they are I'd go with him and pay it but if the other 2 quotes are a lot cheaper I'd ask to see samples of similar work they had done and see what I thought.

Can I chip in and suggest linseed oil paint from browns or similar. It is beautiful and allows the wood to breathe. Modern plastic paints create a layer of plastic ( even if they say breathable) so the water in the wood can’t escape and creates rot and bubbling which means you need to scrape and repaint frequently.
we splashed out on linseed oil paint for our new man shed and after 3 years in all weathers the paint looks brand new. Very nice texture to paint with too. Browns and co or we used the traditional paint company.
You can also buy amazing stone paint from Kline that doesn’t bubble and make the stone damp. They also sell a brilliant paint stripper you can put on cloths and leave on tricky areas.

I said “sounds” exorbitant. It seems I’m not alone. If the OP is happy enough to pay it, fine!

Philistine!