ᐅ Finding Tiles from Other Manufacturers / Selecting Finishes with the Developer
Created on: 31 May 2011 11:10
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plastikjoeP
plastikjoe31 May 2011 11:10Hello everyone,
I’m new here and happy that there is a forum like this!
I’m currently selecting finishes for my house, specifically the tiles. The developer has recommended two large tile specialty stores for choosing the tiles—what I would call the top of the line! We visited the first one and liked some tiles, but some prices were above the developer’s budget limit.
For the living room, we picked Italian tiles called Ciliegio, priced at 58 € per square meter (about $58 per square yard). The price is steep, and the budget is almost used up! Are there similar tiles with this type of wood grain pattern from other manufacturers that you know of?
Does anyone know if it’s possible to choose a tile store on your own through the developer, one that fits your budget? For example, you could buy tiles from hardware stores, which are much cheaper and look similar.
From my perspective, the tile selection process is a bit strange because we are given a maximum price limit, but then the prices offered at the tile specialty stores are typical retail prices. The developer’s tiler then orders the selected tiles and probably pays a lot less since they buy in large quantities. He keeps the discount, and we have to buy the expensive tiles from the specialist store. Is this normal?
I hope I was able to explain this clearly.
Thank you
I’m new here and happy that there is a forum like this!
I’m currently selecting finishes for my house, specifically the tiles. The developer has recommended two large tile specialty stores for choosing the tiles—what I would call the top of the line! We visited the first one and liked some tiles, but some prices were above the developer’s budget limit.
For the living room, we picked Italian tiles called Ciliegio, priced at 58 € per square meter (about $58 per square yard). The price is steep, and the budget is almost used up! Are there similar tiles with this type of wood grain pattern from other manufacturers that you know of?
Does anyone know if it’s possible to choose a tile store on your own through the developer, one that fits your budget? For example, you could buy tiles from hardware stores, which are much cheaper and look similar.
From my perspective, the tile selection process is a bit strange because we are given a maximum price limit, but then the prices offered at the tile specialty stores are typical retail prices. The developer’s tiler then orders the selected tiles and probably pays a lot less since they buy in large quantities. He keeps the discount, and we have to buy the expensive tiles from the specialist store. Is this normal?
I hope I was able to explain this clearly.
Thank you
Hi,
I’m in a similar situation. We are currently selecting tiles and sanitary fixtures, and the construction company told us that the tiles specified in the contract for the hallway and bathrooms, as well as the sanitary installations, will not be installed or fitted by them if you buy these items elsewhere—meaning not from the designated suppliers (which are very expensive!), but, for example, from a hardware store or another source.
Of course, I could have the construction company tile the entire house and handle everything, but that’s too expensive.
Does anyone have experience with this issue? Is it correct that the construction company is allowed to act this way? After all, nowhere does it say that I HAVE to buy tiles and sanitary fixtures from the designated suppliers.
Thanks for reading and for your responses!
I’m in a similar situation. We are currently selecting tiles and sanitary fixtures, and the construction company told us that the tiles specified in the contract for the hallway and bathrooms, as well as the sanitary installations, will not be installed or fitted by them if you buy these items elsewhere—meaning not from the designated suppliers (which are very expensive!), but, for example, from a hardware store or another source.
Of course, I could have the construction company tile the entire house and handle everything, but that’s too expensive.
Does anyone have experience with this issue? Is it correct that the construction company is allowed to act this way? After all, nowhere does it say that I HAVE to buy tiles and sanitary fixtures from the designated suppliers.
Thanks for reading and for your responses!
H
Häuslebauer4020 Sep 2011 23:00Choosing tiles for the house is quite a challenge. When we inquired, we were also told that they prefer not to install tiles bought from hardware stores. They cited warranty reasons for this, which is understandable to some extent.
So, in the end, there is only one option: bite the bullet, make compromises, and try to stay within the budget as best as possible, which is not easy. Especially if, like us, you specify not only the price (30€/m² (about $30/sq ft)) but also the tile sizes (25 x 33 cm (10 x 13 inches) for walls and 33 x 33 cm (13 x 13 inches) for floors). Anything outside these dimensions leads to additional installation costs. Diagonal installation of floor tiles: extra. Installing borders: extra. Installing mosaics: extra...
It all leaves a bit of a "funny taste"...
After our first tile selection alone, we were looking at over €2,000 (about $2,000) in extra costs for the tiles, without counting the installation fees, which would have increased the total even more. Since, as mentioned, there was already a slight impression of being taken advantage of here, I decided to do the complete opposite and strictly chose only from the standard selection that fits the budget—and in most cases even comes in under budget, resulting in credits.
If the general contractor insists on aggressively maximizing their profit during the selection process, sometimes it’s possible to turn the tables and make them realize there’s another way. I’m usually not tight with money and am happy to spend more, but when I notice that someone is trying to maximize their profit at my expense, I become stingy.
Maybe this is the only way to encourage them to change their business strategy for the future—namely, when they realize that pursuing maximum profits may ultimately earn them less than if they had been more accommodating to the client and not charged extra for every little task.
So, in the end, there is only one option: bite the bullet, make compromises, and try to stay within the budget as best as possible, which is not easy. Especially if, like us, you specify not only the price (30€/m² (about $30/sq ft)) but also the tile sizes (25 x 33 cm (10 x 13 inches) for walls and 33 x 33 cm (13 x 13 inches) for floors). Anything outside these dimensions leads to additional installation costs. Diagonal installation of floor tiles: extra. Installing borders: extra. Installing mosaics: extra...
It all leaves a bit of a "funny taste"...
After our first tile selection alone, we were looking at over €2,000 (about $2,000) in extra costs for the tiles, without counting the installation fees, which would have increased the total even more. Since, as mentioned, there was already a slight impression of being taken advantage of here, I decided to do the complete opposite and strictly chose only from the standard selection that fits the budget—and in most cases even comes in under budget, resulting in credits.
If the general contractor insists on aggressively maximizing their profit during the selection process, sometimes it’s possible to turn the tables and make them realize there’s another way. I’m usually not tight with money and am happy to spend more, but when I notice that someone is trying to maximize their profit at my expense, I become stingy.
Maybe this is the only way to encourage them to change their business strategy for the future—namely, when they realize that pursuing maximum profits may ultimately earn them less than if they had been more accommodating to the client and not charged extra for every little task.
Hello Häuslebauer40,
thank you very much for your reply! Regarding the warranty: I still have one if I have the bathroom and flooring installed separately by a tradesperson that I hire myself. I will gather information, compare prices, and review the contracts carefully over the next few days. I will report back as soon as I have learned more. I really don’t like it at all when customers are treated as if they are fools.
thank you very much for your reply! Regarding the warranty: I still have one if I have the bathroom and flooring installed separately by a tradesperson that I hire myself. I will gather information, compare prices, and review the contracts carefully over the next few days. I will report back as soon as I have learned more. I really don’t like it at all when customers are treated as if they are fools.
H
Häuslebauer4020 Sep 2011 23:35If you are building with a general contractor (GC), you can basically skip the price comparison. I’ve been through that myself. Professional tile installers won’t work with DIY store materials either.
And here’s the main issue: if you remove tile and plumbing work afterwards, you’ll never get credited as much as it’s actually worth, and it simply isn’t enough to have those trades done by a specialized company. It only makes sense if you can manage it in a fixed price contract (EGL).
And here’s the main issue: if you remove tile and plumbing work afterwards, you’ll never get credited as much as it’s actually worth, and it simply isn’t enough to have those trades done by a specialized company. It only makes sense if you can manage it in a fixed price contract (EGL).
B
Bauexperte21 Sep 2011 11:30Hello,
That is understandable, as long as it concerns the "lowest price category" available in the building materials market. If the homeowner buys from a specialty building materials supplier, almost every tile installer will raise no objections.
I cannot agree with that statement in general; this assessment may apply to your specific contractor. For our experience, I can assure you that what is listed in the initial offer will also be credited when the work is removed from the contract.
On the other hand, it is indeed the case that – if the tile work is removed – it is hardly ever possible for another tile installer to take over the work at the same price. This is partly due to procurement advantages and usually also the size of the contracted tile installation company and their labor costs. If the tile work is to be removed, it is recommended to do so only if the work will actually be carried out later by the homeowner themselves. Based on all experience, this does not save costs on the tiles themselves, but the homeowner saves on labor costs by installing the tiles personally.
Kind regards
Häuslebauer40 schrieb:
I’ve already been through that. Professional tile installers don’t want to work with DIY store tiles either.
That is understandable, as long as it concerns the "lowest price category" available in the building materials market. If the homeowner buys from a specialty building materials supplier, almost every tile installer will raise no objections.
Häuslebauer40 schrieb:
And the main problem is: if you remove tile and sanitary work afterwards, you will never get credit close to its actual value, and it is never enough to have the work done by a professional company.
I cannot agree with that statement in general; this assessment may apply to your specific contractor. For our experience, I can assure you that what is listed in the initial offer will also be credited when the work is removed from the contract.
On the other hand, it is indeed the case that – if the tile work is removed – it is hardly ever possible for another tile installer to take over the work at the same price. This is partly due to procurement advantages and usually also the size of the contracted tile installation company and their labor costs. If the tile work is to be removed, it is recommended to do so only if the work will actually be carried out later by the homeowner themselves. Based on all experience, this does not save costs on the tiles themselves, but the homeowner saves on labor costs by installing the tiles personally.
Kind regards
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