Hello,
We are building a house with a reputable construction company. We personally know 10 clients who have been very satisfied with them.
However, there is one issue that is really bothering me right now.
The house price includes a budget of €17,000 (about $18,000) for tiles (145sqm (1560 sq ft)). The material cost is €20 (about $22), with the entire bathroom fully tiled.
The tile we like costs €45 (about $48) online. At a local supplier, it’s €75 (about $80), but they would sell it to me for €52 (about $55).
The tile supplier used by the builder, also for the sample selection, charges €95 (about $102) for the tile. No discount is possible since our builder is a partner of theirs.
This gives me the impression that there is a double markup here. I pay €95, while the company probably buys it for around €50 (about $54). In the end, this results in additional costs of several thousand euros.
Am I really required to buy the tiles from the supplier specified by the builder?
Best regards,
Coletrickle_7808
We are building a house with a reputable construction company. We personally know 10 clients who have been very satisfied with them.
However, there is one issue that is really bothering me right now.
The house price includes a budget of €17,000 (about $18,000) for tiles (145sqm (1560 sq ft)). The material cost is €20 (about $22), with the entire bathroom fully tiled.
The tile we like costs €45 (about $48) online. At a local supplier, it’s €75 (about $80), but they would sell it to me for €52 (about $55).
The tile supplier used by the builder, also for the sample selection, charges €95 (about $102) for the tile. No discount is possible since our builder is a partner of theirs.
This gives me the impression that there is a double markup here. I pay €95, while the company probably buys it for around €50 (about $54). In the end, this results in additional costs of several thousand euros.
Am I really required to buy the tiles from the supplier specified by the builder?
Best regards,
Coletrickle_7808
ypg schrieb:
So then also the tiles with the general contractor: everything that is rejected goes through the tiler’s trade.That’s how I have often seen it too, sometimes differently though (for example, my next-door neighbor also had tiles rejected).
If the general contractor leaves this to the tiler, then the tiler would also be the contact person for any additional costs, not the supplier. Or is the tile supplier in this project the same as the tiler?
Coletrickle_7808 schrieb:
Am I really being told where I have to source the tiles from? The answer here would be that it’s not you who sources them, but the tile supplier/layer?
Was this communicated?
If the general contractor is really that great AND affordable, you can’t really argue
Coletrickle_7808 schrieb:
that there is double profit being made off me here Everyone knows a house supplier is cheap because the trades offer below-market prices. The companies usually can only “survive” by making a profit on upgrades as well. It’s all a give and take.
Everyone is entitled to choose expensive tiles. However, you should then also make sure the overall balance makes sense.
My main point remains that a few thousand euros go into a) storage and b) four pallets being left at the curb. As a tiler, I wouldn’t be responsible for making sure they actually get to where they are installed.
ypg schrieb:
My main argument is still that the few thousand euros end up being spent on a) storage and b) four pallets left at the curbside. As a tiler, I wouldn’t make sure they actually get to where they will be installed.With these huge tiles, you almost have to carry each one individually into the house… 😳 😀 Storage and transportation are often overlooked. With manageable items, not a problem, but with tiles…
guckuck2 schrieb:
Our tiler installed the tiles from the curbside into the house charging an hourly rate. He worked alone, in one day. And he wasn’t exactly a young guy.Well, then you can hire him for a daily rate for the original poster.ypg schrieb:
Well, then you can send it to the OP for a daily rate.Better not. He carried it like a pro, but the rest was rather so-so. So I wouldn’t overestimate that factor ;-)