Turnkey Renovation Projects - Any Regrets?

[Poppie2023]

Hi, has anyone done this before?

Any regrets, or would you have preferred to go with a general builder/contractor and choose your own sanitary ware?

I’m considering having my bathroom done by a turnkey project company. However, I’m required to select all fittings, fixtures, and sanitary ware from the company’s selection of catalogues ( different brands) before they can provide a quote — or alternatively, let them choose everything.

I’d really appreciate hearing about others’ experiences with this approach.

Anyone? Sorry, I known it’s early 🥱

Anyone?

It sounds as if you are choosing your own sanitary ware so I don’t understand the question.

I’m not understanding your question either. Are you asking if you can trust somebody else to spec the whole project and you don’t get involved at all? If so you need a very very clear brief.

I’m also not understanding the question - what do you mean by turnkey project company? Are you wanting to write them a blank cheque and just accept whatever they deliver? Or do you mean a company which provides project management delivering to your spec rather than employing individual trades?

@C8H10N4O2 @KnickerlessParsons @Tortephant

Hey, sorry if I wasn’t clear before! What I mean is about quote preferences. Some companies require the client to choose all fixtures and materials from their suppliers before providing a quote, so you have to decide everything upfront. Other contractors (or project managers) may quote mainly for labour, while the customer chooses and buys their own fixtures and materials more flexibly.

I’m just trying to understand people’s experiences with either approach—whether they prefer having to pick everything before getting a quote (with the company handling the ordering and installation), or just being quoted for labour while selecting items/brands on their own.

obviously in the scenario you outline the company is looking to maximise its money by "restricting" your choice to suppliers from whom it doubtless gets a discount for placing repeat business with them.

Either you like the ranges on offer or you don't.

If you don't, then you will not be going with that installation company anyway. You will have to pick in advance of the items being fitted whatever happens!

the other option they offer of leaving choice over everything to the company sounds like a recipe for disappointment when you find it is not to your taste a few days after completion

That sounds like shopping at Argos or Very but on a really expensive scale. A catalogue bathroom by post. not for me at any level but if that works for you OP then do it.
I'd expect a company like this to design and spec and quote according to your brief. with the detail being agreed later.

IME small traders often get discounts from suppliers and are happy to be transparent about costs, possibly with you buying the materials from said suppliers whilst they charge separately for labour/services. This may keep them below the VAT threshold as well.

If you know which fittings you want then see which fitting services they offer or find an independent who will supply those fittings. If you are not fixed on a specific bathroom suite then ask the builder/plumber for supplier recommendations with some parameters eg “looking for something mid range, not too fancy but not the cheapest end, want white fittings, prefer curved edges to square with modern styling”. Most will have regular suppliers they use which carry a range of styles.

If you go to eg a bathroom shop in the high street then they may only wish to give a total price including fitting which means they sub out the installation. I prefer to use my regular tradies as the quality of the fitting usually outstrips any variation in fittings quality.

I've always just had that part left as TBC with an agreement that the charge will be cost of the fittings the client has chosen + 5% (or whatever). You can supply the fittings yourself but the faff of taking responsibility for getting the right things ordered and to the right place when needed is not worth it and gets expensive if you don't sync everything up perfectly so people are left standing around.

I wouldn't personally want the builder's choice!