ᐅ Plumbing Supplier vs. Plumbing Contractor

There is a lot to say about building a house. We have been through it ourselves and managed quite well. However, we deeply regret one decision. It caused us stress from the very beginning, incurred extra costs, and even now, a year and a half after moving in, it still causes problems.

When it comes to the bathroom, expectations are usually highest, and people often dream of a relaxing oasis. Friends told us about Ceramica, so we made an appointment there and planned our bathrooms.

At some point, it became clear that someone still had to install the bathroom, as Ceramica only sells the products. Most plumbing companies then refuse to get involved. We managed to convince our plumbers, who also installed the heating system for us, but that’s when the trouble began.

First of all, you have to handle the delivery yourself. Sometimes you have to pick up items there and unload them yourself, which becomes a real challenge and quite frustrating with many products. Then, some aspects of our planning were incorrect, so we constantly had to make calls and coordinate between several parties. This is a hassle you wouldn’t have at all if you ordered the bathroom directly from the plumbing installer, as they take care of everything.

Unfortunately, that was not all. The biggest problem came later. After moving into the house, we noticed an unpleasant odor coming from the toilet in the main bathroom. The plumbers couldn’t find the cause, and they searched for months in various places until they finally discovered the toilet was defective. Once it was replaced, the smell disappeared immediately.

However, the problems with Ceramica did not end there. We then received a large bill from the plumber because he hadn’t sold us the toilet. Ceramica, in turn, referred us to the manufacturer, with whom we had no contract. The sad result: we are stuck here, with a large, actually unnecessary bill, despite not being at fault.

But if you think about it carefully, we are partly to blame. We chose Ceramica despite being warned about it by our site manager beforehand.

Therefore, our recommendation to anyone building a house or renovating a bathroom: order everything from a single source. The products are the same everywhere, and nowadays, bathroom design software is widely available.

Go to your trusted plumber and don’t buy anything separately there. Problems already start with delivery, and if you’re unlucky, they will follow you long after moving in.

Is our case with this supplier an isolated incident, or is this a general issue with suppliers?

Thank you, interesting report.

We are still considering the best way to proceed.
We sampled products at a large supplier where the installer shops. However, the installer has his own small showroom and additional suppliers. The situation is that the supplier charges extremely high prices, which we are billed for. The installer openly told us that he does not pay these prices himself (discounts, etc.) and keeps the saved amount for the installation. This whole issue is quite frustrating for us. If we buy the exact same parts online, it costs over €6000 (about $6500) less. For example, the vanity alone costs €1200 (about $1300) more there than online. The mirrored cabinet also has a €1000 (about $1100) difference. For the faucets, he charges double the internet price.
However, the installer will not install any parts we have not purchased through him. Now I am considering whether to install the toilets, vanities, and mirrored cabinets myself. That would probably save around €4000 (about $4300), and it is not rocket science.

A craftsman who charges a single price for everything not only demands unrealistically high prices but apparently lives in that mindset.

There is absolutely NO reason why there shouldn’t be a clear separation between materials (goods) and labor! Unfortunately, in times of fully booked schedules, there is no real buyer’s market. Still, I would look for a different plumber — because this is simply unacceptable!

From my perspective, a tradesperson should be paid fairly for their work. The common practice of financing labor through profits made on material purchases is neither transparent nor does it build trust. On the contrary.

However, in case of damage, the issue of responsibility allocation arises: who is accountable for what? Especially with installations (including plumbing systems, pipes, and fittings), repair costs can be very high when damage occurs (I’m aware of a current case that is really severe). So it’s always a delicate balance of priorities.

montessalet schrieb:
A tradesperson who charges a single price for everything doesn’t just have excessively high prices, but apparently lives in that reality. There is absolutely NO reason not to clearly separate material costs (goods) from labor! Unfortunately, in times when schedules are fully booked, it is no longer a true buyer’s market. Still, I would look for a different plumber – this approach is simply unacceptable! From my perspective, a tradesperson should be paid fairly for their work. The usual practice of covering labor costs through profits made on materials is neither transparent nor does it build trust. On the contrary. However, in case of damage, there is the problem of assignment: who is responsible for what? Especially with installations (including plumbing fixtures, pipes, and lines), damage repair costs can be very high (I know a current case that is really serious). So it’s always a balancing act regarding what you prioritize.

Not only is that a risk. A plumber also makes money on materials. Try to find a company that installs third-party materials. You’ll hardly find that in “saturated” markets. Live and let live.

The only thing we didn’t go along with were the bathroom cabinets and such. For those, I had a friend help me.

saibot schrieb:
Now I'm already considering whether I should mount the toilets, washbasins, and mirrored cabinets myself. It would probably save around 4000€ and is not rocket science.

Even with two left hands and feet, this is one of the easiest handyman jobs in the DIY area.

Usually, the plumber will give you a 30% discount on the sky-high prices, so you can come down to a reasonable level.