Hello!
We plan to start construction after winter. We have chosen a general contractor (GC) who offers a certain standard for the finishes in their houses – naturally, if you want more, you pay extra.
Instead of the standard concrete roof tiles, we would prefer clay tiles. The house is a Frisian-style home, approximately 11 x 9.5 m (36 x 31 feet).
The surcharge (!) for clay tiles is about 2,200 euros.
The explanation given is: installation takes longer, they are more fragile, and they cannot be “moved around” as easily as concrete tiles.
The tiles themselves are reportedly not much more expensive than concrete tiles; however, the verge and ridge tiles supposedly cost significantly more.
From your perspective, is this surcharge reasonable?
Advantages of clay tiles as I see them: longer durability, less moss and lichen growth.
Although we are nearly decided, I am interested in your opinions.
Regarding the staircase as well:
The standard is an open string staircase.
We would like a closed staircase, nicer balusters, sturdier newel posts, and the stringers need to be curved in our case. The handrail should not just be a long piece of wood but “grippable,” and we want parts of the staircase painted white.
The surcharge (!) is about 4,000 euros.
A carpenter friend said that amount would cover the entire staircase with him.
Is the staircase builder trying to overcharge us?
Kind regards!
We plan to start construction after winter. We have chosen a general contractor (GC) who offers a certain standard for the finishes in their houses – naturally, if you want more, you pay extra.
Instead of the standard concrete roof tiles, we would prefer clay tiles. The house is a Frisian-style home, approximately 11 x 9.5 m (36 x 31 feet).
The surcharge (!) for clay tiles is about 2,200 euros.
The explanation given is: installation takes longer, they are more fragile, and they cannot be “moved around” as easily as concrete tiles.
The tiles themselves are reportedly not much more expensive than concrete tiles; however, the verge and ridge tiles supposedly cost significantly more.
From your perspective, is this surcharge reasonable?
Advantages of clay tiles as I see them: longer durability, less moss and lichen growth.
Although we are nearly decided, I am interested in your opinions.
Regarding the staircase as well:
The standard is an open string staircase.
We would like a closed staircase, nicer balusters, sturdier newel posts, and the stringers need to be curved in our case. The handrail should not just be a long piece of wood but “grippable,” and we want parts of the staircase painted white.
The surcharge (!) is about 4,000 euros.
A carpenter friend said that amount would cover the entire staircase with him.
Is the staircase builder trying to overcharge us?
Kind regards!
B
Bauexperte22 Mar 2013 08:38Hello,
It is not primarily the shaped tiles that cause the extra cost, but mainly the waste. Clay roof tiles are more fragile and break more easily; hence the relatively high additional price.
You can get it cheaper by choosing double-glazed concrete roof tiles instead; all in about € 5/600.00 extra, and the effect is the same.
Then take your known carpenter at his word, exclude the standard staircase from the scope of services, and hold him to it!
I assume you deliberately chose a nationwide supplier. Their prices are based on many standards; this positions them competitively on the market with a relatively limited selection. The staircase is probably a standard model, and the stair builder’s margin has been squeezed to a minimum. If you now want a staircase with risers— which is not cheap and requires a lot of craftsmanship—he is recouping “lost profit.” Makes sense, right?
You cannot have a clean coat without getting wet. Or, to put it differently: pay the price of a small car but expect the features of a mid-size car at no extra cost 🙄
Regards, Bauexperte
James schrieb:
The additional cost (!) for clay roof tiles is about 2,200 euros.
... The tiles are supposedly not much more expensive than concrete blocks; however, verge and ridge tiles reportedly cost significantly more.
It is not primarily the shaped tiles that cause the extra cost, but mainly the waste. Clay roof tiles are more fragile and break more easily; hence the relatively high additional price.
You can get it cheaper by choosing double-glazed concrete roof tiles instead; all in about € 5/600.00 extra, and the effect is the same.
James schrieb:
The standard is an open beech staircase ... additional cost (!) about 4,000 euros.
A well-known carpenter said that this amount would cover an entire staircase from him.
Is the stair builder trying to rip us off?
Then take your known carpenter at his word, exclude the standard staircase from the scope of services, and hold him to it!
I assume you deliberately chose a nationwide supplier. Their prices are based on many standards; this positions them competitively on the market with a relatively limited selection. The staircase is probably a standard model, and the stair builder’s margin has been squeezed to a minimum. If you now want a staircase with risers— which is not cheap and requires a lot of craftsmanship—he is recouping “lost profit.” Makes sense, right?
You cannot have a clean coat without getting wet. Or, to put it differently: pay the price of a small car but expect the features of a mid-size car at no extra cost 🙄
Regards, Bauexperte
Bauexperte schrieb:
The main reason for the higher cost isn’t so much the shaped bricks themselves, but primarily the waste material. Clay roof tiles are more fragile and break more easily; that explains the relatively high additional cost.
However, you can get a better price by choosing double-glazed concrete roof tiles; all in, about €5/600.00 extra, and the effect is the same.So the total price for clay tiles isn’t unrealistic – that was my point.
I’ll ask about the double-glazed concrete roof tiles. Relatives and friends (not the dealer!) have advised me against concrete: lichen, moss, fading, sand in the gutter... None of that happens with double-glazed tiles?
Bauexperte schrieb:
Then take your known carpenter at his word, exclude the standard stair from the scope of services, and hold him to it!
I assume you deliberately chose a contractor operating nationwide or across regions. Their prices are based on many standard components, which positions them competitively in the market despite a relatively limited selection. The stair is probably a standard model, and the stair builder’s margin has been squeezed to a minimum. If now the staircase with risers— which is neither cheap nor requires a lot of craftsmanship— is requested, he recovers his "lost profit." Makes sense, right?My general contractor isn’t regional, but your point about the high level of craftsmanship also makes sense.
However, if I now remove the standard staircase (and get credited for it), it’s a loss for me because, after signing the contract, fees are charged for every change (or deducted from my credit).
Unfortunately, I don’t know the cost of the standard stair model.
The question is: Do I have any room for negotiation with my GC’s subcontractor? Can I say: Another stair builder can do it cheaper if I don’t have the cost basis for the standard stair? It’s different from negotiating at a car dealership...
Bauexperte schrieb:
You can’t wash the fur without getting wet. Or put differently: you can’t pay the price of a compact car and expect the equipment of a mid-sized car at no extra cost 🙄
Regards, BauexperteI do understand that “custom features” also mean extra costs – in cars as in houses. ;-)
As I said before: My question was whether I’m being ripped off here, and whether the additional costs seem disproportionate from your perspective.
James
For us, the risers on a standard beech staircase would have meant an additional cost of €685.
Regarding the concrete roof tiles: We were told that today's concrete roof tiles have a different "coating" than before, making them less prone to moss and algae growth. We were quoted an additional €500 for clay roof tiles (for two staggered gable roofs without corner connections and no dormer planning). The architect's exact words were: "There are no advantages, only the name; clay roof sounds better than concrete roof tiles." As a layperson, I tend to believe this—why would he lie to us when he could sell us something more expensive? 🙂
Regarding the concrete roof tiles: We were told that today's concrete roof tiles have a different "coating" than before, making them less prone to moss and algae growth. We were quoted an additional €500 for clay roof tiles (for two staggered gable roofs without corner connections and no dormer planning). The architect's exact words were: "There are no advantages, only the name; clay roof sounds better than concrete roof tiles." As a layperson, I tend to believe this—why would he lie to us when he could sell us something more expensive? 🙂
B
Bauexperte23 Mar 2013 13:39Hello,
Regards, Bauexperte
ypg schrieb:I can hardly believe that, unless the staircase was originally estimated on the higher side :-)
For us, the risers on a standard beech staircase would have meant an additional cost of €685.
ypg schrieb:Both statements hit the mark perfectly :-)
Regarding the concrete roof tiles: We were told that today's concrete tiles have a different "coating" than before, making them less prone to moss and algae buildup ... Exact words from the architect: "There are no advantages, just the name; clay roofing sounds better than concrete roof tiles."
Regards, Bauexperte