Are these unreasonable renovation costs?

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pavelmac

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#261680 10-Dec-2019 14:03

Hi,

I'm just coming out of a 2 month double bathroom renovations, which was all project managed. We agreed a price, which seemed expensive, for a "like for like" refurb, but since it was similar to another quote I assumed it was ok. The initial quote was very poorly written but I thought that I had clarified the points via email. While in retrospect the email exchanges don't give the clarity of the scope. I can however live with paying for some extras. But what I can't stomach is the prices I've been invoiced.

Are these resonable prices and if not what can I do about them?

Supply and fit a bathroom extractor fan - $850

Supply and fit a power point where an existing power point existed $350

Tiled Niche - $700

Supply and fit a LED downlight where an existing light existed $750

Suggestions

Cheers

pav

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#2371796 10-Dec-2019 14:14

Are you able to supply and fit a bathroom extractor fan? No? Pay the bill.

Are you able to supply and fit a power point where an existing power point existed? No? Pay the bill.

Seeing the trend?

Sounds like you agreed to go ahead on good faith, and have asked for extras. You now need to pay. Regardless of whether there was existing or not, perhaps extra cabling was involved? If you wanted to know the price, get it quoted properly. If the quote isn't written well, clarify points in writing and then there is no dispute.

billgates

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#2371799 10-Dec-2019 14:14

Supply and fit bathroom extractor fan price depends on which model fan, what size and quality ducting and which model grilles (internal and external if wall mounted) have been used. A really good extractor fan cost $350 - $400 on it's own. Grilles can be $30 - $80. Ducting can be $80 for 10 meters for acoustic one + electrical connection costs.

Tilers are not cheap

Depends on the LED downlight model.

Cost to replace power point where an existing one there seems very high at $350. At the very most that should be $120.

Do whatever you want to do man.

tdgeek

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#2371801 10-Dec-2019 14:15

Wow to the "existing" ones

I take it labour hours are not on there?

pavelmac

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#2371809 10-Dec-2019 14:22

I have the manuals at home for some of the products installed, but I don't think they are top notch - but will see if I can price up later.

No labour included. But judging by knowing the niche took tiler about 3-4 hours to make, waterproof & tile - I'd say labour rate is $200+

ren1316

136 posts

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#2371810 10-Dec-2019 14:23

Hi, yes it does looks rather high. Not sure what you can do about it as you have already accepted his quote. My comments inline.

Supply and fit a bathroom extractor fan - $850

If there is already wiring where you need to mount the fan, then it is relatively simple. Max 2 hour to drill hole and install/mount the fan & connect to switch. Probably need replace current switch or install new one. If your bathroom already have RCD wiring, then all good, otherwise more expenses. Fan $100, switch $20, RCD $160, wires etc $20 Labour $130. Travel $30.

Assuming no repairing of zip/wall, painting required.

Supply and fit a power point where an existing power point existed $350

Just changing to a new plate? this should only be 15 minutes!

Tiled Niche - $700

this depends on size of area, pattern, cuts. Need more details or pic. He supplying tile?

Supply and fit a LED downlight where an existing light existed $750

Ya, seems high. Sparky should be around $65/hr (+ GST).

wellygary

8320 posts

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#2371834 10-Dec-2019 14:42

Ask for a breakdown of Labour and parts for each job...

Until you know what you are actually paying for, its hard to argue its too much...

(I'm assuming they are all GST inc)?

pavelmac

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#2371835 10-Dec-2019 14:50

These items are potentially all extras, though I'll re-read wording to see to see what should have been included.

Good idea on the break down, I'll ask for that.

All these extras are exc GST

Wise

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sen8or

1789 posts

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#2371838 10-Dec-2019 14:52

pavelmac:

Hi,

I'm just coming out of a 2 month double bathroom renovations, which was all project managed. We agreed a price, which seemed expensive, for a "like for like" refurb, but since it was similar to another quote I assumed it was ok. The initial quote was very poorly written but I thought that I had clarified the points via email. While in retrospect the email exchanges don't give the clarity of the scope. I can however live with paying for some extras. But what I can't stomach is the prices I've been invoiced.

Are these resonable prices and if not what can I do about them?

Supply and fit a bathroom extractor fan - $850

Supply and fit a power point where an existing power point existed $350

Tiled Niche - $700

Supply and fit a LED downlight where an existing light existed $750

Suggestions

Cheers

pav

Price on the electrics seems high at first glance, but difficult to judge without knowing what fittings were installed. $350 to replace a power socket? If they replaced it with a RCD model, then this goes part way to justifying a high cost (should have a test button on the face plate), these can be upwards of $100 for the fitting alone, else a 10a socket with face plate and flush box, $30 max for parts (unless you went PDL Iconic skins or PDL Saturn range).

Bathroom Extractor fan - it depends, I've seen some costly extract fans and kits, but a bog standard "contractor pack" fan and duct kit, only a few hundred.

LED downlight on an existing circuit, if a standard 90-100mm fitting, $75 would be an expensive light (well, you can get them for $15 +/- a bit now), $750? Sparkies taking the piss.

sir1963

3260 posts

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#2371840 10-Dec-2019 14:54

ren1316:

Hi, yes it does looks rather high. Not sure what you can do about it as you have already accepted his quote. My comments inline.

Supply and fit a power point where an existing power point existed $350

Just changing to a new plate? this should only be 15 minutes!

.

Hang on a minute, how old was the existing stuff ?

Electrical Regs/requirements have changed over time.

Did any of this require the fitting of RCDs to the switchboard ?

Then there is the time required to complete the certification of the building, eg finding the earth peg, checking phasing, earth loop testing, etc etc etc.

sittingduckz

680 posts

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#2371842 10-Dec-2019 14:58

chevrolux:

Are you able to supply and fit a bathroom extractor fan? No? Pay the bill.

Are you able to supply and fit a power point where an existing power point existed? No? Pay the bill.

Seeing the trend?

Sounds like you agreed to go ahead on good faith, and have asked for extras. You now need to pay. Regardless of whether there was existing or not, perhaps extra cabling was involved? If you wanted to know the price, get it quoted properly. If the quote isn't written well, clarify points in writing and then there is no dispute.

That's a little harsh, sounds like a nerve was struck 😬

I'm not a complete idiot, I still have some parts missing.

pavelmac

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#2371845 10-Dec-2019 15:03

The old stuff is probably 15 years old, when the bathroom was last renovated.

I believe the board is up to date, as had work done in last feew years without any need to have anything changed.

PM didn't want to reccess mirror cabinet because of hassel of getting in inspector due to need to move existing earth cable, so I assume no additional inspect required for any of the other work.

PM quoted $1,500 to recess cabnet, due to need to move earth cable and other cable re-routing.

I do feel he's trying to recover costs incurrent to them installing wall mounting plumbing in wrong place (50mm off) and re-sanding a freshly done floor when bath was dragged across.

sir1963

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#2371860 10-Dec-2019 15:50

pavelmac:

The old stuff is probably 15 years old, when the bathroom was last renovated.

I believe the board is up to date, as had work done in last feew years without any need to have anything changed.

PM didn't want to reccess mirror cabinet because of hassel of getting in inspector due to need to move existing earth cable, so I assume no additional inspect required for any of the other work.

PM quoted $1,500 to recess cabnet, due to need to move earth cable and other cable re-routing.

I do feel he's trying to recover costs incurrent to them installing wall mounting plumbing in wrong place (50mm off) and re-sanding a freshly done floor when bath was dragged across.

Do you have RCDs ?

pavelmac

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#2371861 10-Dec-2019 15:55

Yes we have RCDs in fuse box

semigeek

1606 posts

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#2371862 10-Dec-2019 15:56

Supply and fit a power point where an existing power point existed $350

Ouch, we got our whole house rewired, new sockets and switches and everything replaced on the circuit board(including putting in RCD's) and it came to $2200 all up. $350 seems steep for one power point.

timmmay

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#2371864 10-Dec-2019 16:03

I believe there is a consumer law that says if work is done without a quote and it's judged too high you can challenge it by getting prices from others. Talk to one of the consumer help places.

Supply and fit a bathroom extractor fan - $850
- I recently paid $540 for Wasabi Group in Wellington to supply and fit a bathroom extractor in my ceiling. It's good quality, and powerful. I was charged more than I expected but I paid it. $850

Supply and fit a power point where an existing power point existed $350
- I'd expect about $50 unless they had to something like run a lot of cable.

Tiled Niche - $700
- Tiling is expensive - need more info. Probably not so bad.

Supply and fit a LED downlight where an existing light existed $750
- Nah. Downlight costs $50, maybe an hour's work, $750 is crazy without a good reason.

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