ᐅ Cost increase surcharge for the kitchen after contract signing
Created on: 13 Oct 2021 07:47
E
exto1791
Hello everyone,
Yesterday we received the final offer for our kitchen, and we noticed the following clause in the offer:
"The offer is valid until 28.02.2022. If the kitchen is accepted after 01.03.2022, we unfortunately have to charge a price increase surcharge of 4.5%."
I don’t quite understand this. If I place the order for the kitchen now, I am committing to the price in the offer, so I shouldn’t have to accept any surcharge. We are planning to move in around April/May, so it’s quite possible the kitchen won’t be accepted before 01.03.2022.
The dealer’s response was that the kitchen should be taken into stock by February next year, meaning the kitchen would need to be measured early enough once the plasterer has finished. Then it might still be possible to avoid the surcharge.
We are really very, very happy with our kitchen builder, but I honestly think this is unacceptable. What experiences have you had with this? Is this actually common?
Yesterday we received the final offer for our kitchen, and we noticed the following clause in the offer:
"The offer is valid until 28.02.2022. If the kitchen is accepted after 01.03.2022, we unfortunately have to charge a price increase surcharge of 4.5%."
I don’t quite understand this. If I place the order for the kitchen now, I am committing to the price in the offer, so I shouldn’t have to accept any surcharge. We are planning to move in around April/May, so it’s quite possible the kitchen won’t be accepted before 01.03.2022.
The dealer’s response was that the kitchen should be taken into stock by February next year, meaning the kitchen would need to be measured early enough once the plasterer has finished. Then it might still be possible to avoid the surcharge.
We are really very, very happy with our kitchen builder, but I honestly think this is unacceptable. What experiences have you had with this? Is this actually common?
evelinoz schrieb:
People, the professionals (KFBs) have clearly explained the situation and made suggestions. Somehow, he seems unaware of the general price increases and that in the end, not every wall will be exactly where it is on his plan. His interior staircase and driveway are good examples.
Kitchen studios have been fully stocked with kitchens up to the ceiling for months because no house is finished as the homeowner envisioned. There are no dishwashers, refrigerators are missing, and some complain that cabinet fronts are warped due to prolonged storage.
Anyone still building now seems to be unaware of what’s really going on. Honestly, I get really upset when I read such nonsense. You probably have no knowledge of house construction beyond kitchens — I simply can’t say more than that. I even strongly suspect you work in the kitchen industry and that’s why you respond like this.
You seem to have a concept of cooperative partnership that I find hard to understand. Based on the original poster’s account of the business relationship so far, I would have also expected at least a verbal indication. What’s wrong with addressing something like that? If everything else is openly discussed, deliberately leaving out this supposed detail puts a strain on the business relationship. The solution would be simple: communication.
I believe the original poster understands that a measurement has to be taken—why else would this still be debated? For me, and apparently for the original poster as well, it’s about that unaddressed clause. And on that point, I agree with them.
However, I would be interested to hear the outcome of the conversation, and whether a compromise is reached @exto1791.
I believe the original poster understands that a measurement has to be taken—why else would this still be debated? For me, and apparently for the original poster as well, it’s about that unaddressed clause. And on that point, I agree with them.
However, I would be interested to hear the outcome of the conversation, and whether a compromise is reached @exto1791.
RE-1407 schrieb:
If I give the "order" in my role that the new prices plus TZ apply from 01.03., then this also applies to the sales representative in the field.…and if I have learned anything in 11 years of sales, it is that nothing is set in stone and there are always ways, means, exceptions, and compromises everywhere. Always.
Nemesis schrieb:
For me, this has nothing to do with the way the surcharge was added at the very last minute, at least without actively informing the kitchen studio. The original poster describes it correctly—it’s not a proper approach if a partnership-like relationship had been maintained up to that point.
I stick to my suggestion @exto1791, would that be an option? When do you have a meeting with the studio? Exactly. We will talk to the kitchen studio again once our general contractor provides us with a detailed construction schedule that we can "more or less" rely on after the shell construction phase. Then we can roughly estimate whether the kitchen can be measured in time or not. This will happen next week—so we’ll wait and hope the timing works out.
I think the suggestion from @Tolentino is quite good. We will try to negotiate for a month or so to avoid being forced to pay the deadline surcharge at all—that would be the easiest solution for everyone.
RE-1407 schrieb:
Well, I don’t think it’s hidden in the small print. You don’t hide that in the general terms and conditions!
It must have been placed somewhere on the last page as a note from the studio.
But the original poster doesn’t address any of the proposed solutions at all, for example, whether it would be possible to have the measuring appointment done before the deadline!?!?! Then it could have been settled by page 2 already. Then you probably have never built a house or set up a prefab home? At the moment, it is simply VERY DIFFICULT to communicate this within such a tight timeframe. Our situation is really down to the wire right now! That’s why I’m so annoyed that the kitchen supplier is most likely causing trouble over just one month!
And by the way: they knew exactly when we were roughly moving in and what stage we were at. In my opinion, adding such a clause in writing only in the very last offer is just cheeky...
Nemesis schrieb:
...and if I have learned anything in 11 years of sales, it is that nothing is set in stone and there are always means, ways, exceptions, and compromises everywhere. Always.Absolutely... thank you! That’s exactly how it is.
H
hampshire13 Oct 2021 16:27exto1791 schrieb:
It is currently simply VERY difficult to communicate this within such a tight timeframe. Things are really on the edge for us right now! That’s why I am so frustrated that the kitchen manufacturer is probably causing delays over just one month! The one-month delay might be related to a fixed price increase from the supplier, which the kitchen manufacturer would have to bear. This creates a different basis for negotiation than a general clause that applies after a certain number of months in the standard offer. For successful negotiations, it is helpful to consider the situation of the other party. If you reduce emotional reactions and start to take an interest in your business partner’s position, a positive outcome is likely.