ᐅ Toilet prices ranging from €27.90 to €500 – objective information on the price differences?

So it’s not just me having “luck” like this...

Nordlys schrieb:
Matte, our first idea was to go with the standard and replace it shortly after. But we were both only half happy with that. The second idea was just to have the connections installed and at least remove the washbasins entirely.

That’s exactly where I’m at now. I had a meeting with the plumber this morning. He wasn’t really enthusiastic, but with an effective saving of over €15,000 (about $16,000) I simply can’t do otherwise.

Now we are only having the following done:

• Bathtub (because it needs to be embedded in the screed and tiled)
• Floor drains for the shower enclosures
• Wall connections for toilets and washbasins

For €15,000 (about $16,000), I’m happy to spend a long time installing this stuff myself.

matte1987 schrieb:
Keramag Icon washbasin, 120cm (47 inches) wide with 2 tap holes costs €340 (about $360) at Reuter, at the bathroom supplier €1,091 (about $1,150).

Exactly the same nonsense as with us... Grohe Rainshower faucet at Amazon €730 (about $770), through the specialist trade/plumber €2,140 (about $2,260).

One wonders whether they just shop badly or if they’re deliberately cheating the customers.

I think it’s both, because otherwise the bathroom showrooms would actually publish their prices.

So the scam is systematic.

We’re building with an architect and contracting each trade separately. Self-procurement is theoretically possible. I just need someone to do the installation. Maybe the architect knows someone, otherwise it will be a case for MyHammer if no one else is found.
How do you handle this? A building manager service has already been mentioned, but do they really do the job properly down to the last detail?

The prices in specialized stores are always significantly higher than online. Recently, we looked at pre-finished parquet flooring... over 90 euros per square meter (around $84 per square yard) in the store, but only 54 euros online. That creates a big price difference when you need many square meters of flooring, making it hard to buy from a specialized store.

Best regards,
Sabine

Alex85 schrieb:
One wonders whether they just buy cheaply or if they simply rip off the customers.
I think it’s both because otherwise, bathroom showrooms would at least publish their prices.

They absolutely do not buy cheaply. As a registered dealer with a standard classification, you get between 25 and 35% discount off the net list price from bathroom wholesalers. On top of that, there are project discounts, sometimes in double-digit percentages.
I have an offer for my bathroom equipment from the wholesaler addressed to the installer. It was shown to me with the comment, “Look how much this costs us.” There *must* be some kind of kickback or similar behind the scenes.
Why? Because the prices listed in the wholesaler’s offer were sometimes HIGHER than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).

And anyway, here’s the thing: If the plumber really had to pay so much more at the wholesaler, why would he do that? Amazon offers excellent prices, good warranty service, and free delivery. Nothing stops the installer from buying on Amazon. And if he then charges €60 (about $65) for a faucet at €330 (about $360), his liability risk is effectively zero because the faucet would have to break FIVE times within the first six months before the installer makes a loss on the part, due to shifting the burden of proof.

Alex85 schrieb:
We are building with an architect and separate contracts. So theoretically, self-supply is possible. I just need someone to install it. Maybe the architect has a recommendation, otherwise it will be a case for MyHammer if no one is found.
How do you solve this? A building superintendent service was already mentioned, but do they really do it properly down to the last detail?

I have watched many YouTube videos on this by now. If you are not completely unskilled, installing a faucet or a toilet shouldn’t be a problem. What I personally wouldn’t do is install floor drains or anything that happens inside the walls. We have that done professionally since the risk is too high for me.

Curly schrieb:
Prices in specialist retail stores are always significantly higher than online. We recently looked at prefinished parquet flooring... over 90 euros per square meter (around $97 per square yard) in the store, but only 54 euros (about $58 per square yard) online. That’s a big price difference when you need many square meters, and it makes buying in a physical store difficult.

Best regards,
Sabine

However, this example cannot simply be applied to the broader issue.

90 euros vs. 54 euros represents an increase of 36 euros or 66%.

But when I look at bathroom sinks, price differences of 300% are not uncommon.

After visiting the bathroom supplier, although the offer is still pending, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect, so we’ve decided to purchase the materials ourselves.

If the installer is willing to help and fit everything, great.
If they have a problem with that, I’ll mount the porcelain fixtures on the wall myself. Thanks to the separate contracting system.

I dare say I’m not unskilled when it comes to handiwork, and after some quick research, it all seems quite manageable.
The scope of work is clearly divided: everything behind or beneath the tiles is to be done by the installer.
My wife and I will now sit down with a glass of wine and decide what we want to install ourselves, and the installer should then complete the corresponding rough installation.

I really have a strong dislike for that crew, unbelievably.

Just with the Grohe Euphoria Cube XXL shower system, we’re saving about 1400€ (around $1500). Even if it takes me three days to mount it on the wall, it would still be worth it.