ᐅ Plumbing Quote – Realistic and Fair?

Created on: 21 Nov 2020 13:11
H
Hausbaer
Hello,

I received a quote from the plumbing company carrying out the work, and I was almost shocked. I understand that plumbing installations are expensive. However, I find the installation of a rain shower (surface-mounted, with thermostat) for about 1000 € gross quite overpriced (especially since you can find similar products online for around 100-300 € without installation, which shouldn’t be that expensive, especially considering the user manual is available online).

The installation of a faucet we chose is supposed to cost over 300 €.

Is this justified, and does it really result in significantly better quality (I am not an expert), or is this simply taking advantage of the contract situation (take it or leave it)? We are not obliged and could go with the standard option….
Nida35a21 Nov 2020 19:18
In the bathroom showroom of a general contractor, there are thermostatic rain showers priced in the four-digit range, but often there is also a house brand available for 300-500 € (approximately 320-530 USD).
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pagoni2020
21 Nov 2020 19:46
Hausbaer schrieb:

(since you can find similar products online for around 100-300€ without installation,
You have to compare identical products, not just similar ones, absolutely. Installation and the installer’s margin are included in the price, and possibly an obligation through a general contractor?
Therefore, nobody here can give you clear information, and price comparison alone won’t help you much. For example, there are quite decent overhead showers available for little money that you could easily retrofit later if you install only the minimal standard now.
We have two different models from Grohe here, but in my opinion, the differences are marginal, even though the price difference was significant.
In any case, I would definitely have the riser pipe for the overhead shower installed inside the wall, without an exposed riser rail.
H
Hausbaer
21 Nov 2020 19:52
pagoni2020 schrieb:

You have to compare identical items, not similar ones, absolutely.
How would I do that? First, I would have to find out or get the installation portion from the quote. Also, there are no prices available online for this brand because they only supply to professionals (a sophisticated system).
pagoni2020 schrieb:

In any case, I would have the riser pipe to the overhead shower installed inside the wall, so without the support bar.

The offer/product is intended for surface mounting. Concealed installation would exceed the budget, as I was already told during the sample selection.
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pagoni2020
21 Nov 2020 20:09
Hausbaer schrieb:

How so? I would first need to find out or have them provide the installation portion of the quote. Also, there are no prices available online for that brand since they only sell to tradespeople (a sophisticated system).
The quote/product is intended for surface mounting. Concealed installation would exceed the scope, as I was told during the material selection briefing...

I’m not familiar with your contract or situation, so I can’t say. Maybe you have to accept it as is and at those prices from the general contractor (GC).
I would ask to what extent and why concealed installation "exceeds the scope." Maybe it’s not too much after all, and it also depends on how important it is to you. I definitely want it that way and will pay the extra cost, but as I said, it depends on your circumstances.
If it’s Vigour, you should also be in their system; they offer a wide range of models, including concealed installation.
Y
ypg
21 Nov 2020 20:30
pagoni2020 schrieb:

There are, for example, some pretty decent overhead showers available for little money that you could easily retrofit later if you opt for a minimal standard now.

We installed one last year – here is the result
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/regendusche-nachruesten-tipps-erbeten.32726/page-5
I’d say: it’s not the best solution, but we had to save back then… maybe we saved in the wrong place?
No, we had bad experiences with hotel showers at that time, and now: an overhead rain shower is not that great for washing hair anyway.
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pagoni2020
21 Nov 2020 20:56
I often say... also on this topic... that some things are overrated.
If it fits and I install it myself for a reasonable additional cost, then yes. Otherwise, no, because the added value is minimal.
I was faced with endlessly expensive systems, and in the end, we retrofitted the Tempesta model from the hardware store for 160.-, and it works perfectly. The other one is 24cm (9.4 inches) wide... it's nice but the difference is so-so... the price difference for me was also only minor in this case, as it was just the product surcharge, nothing more.