[Eddy[_2_]]

Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.) Nothing
fancy.

I just need a very rough idea very quickly of how many £1000s it costs
at the moment. Their lines are all engaged and the online forms don't
result in any figures.

Eddy.

[[email protected]]

On 17 Jan, 10:54, Eddy
wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? * (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.) *Nothing
fancy.

I just need a very rough idea very quickly of how many £1000s it costs
at the moment. * Their lines are all engaged and the online forms don't
result in any figures.

Eddy.

3k is my guestimate.
Let me know what they actually quote!

[Jim Alexander[_2_]]

"Eddy" wrote in message
news
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.) Nothing
fancy.

I just need a very rough idea very quickly of how many £1000s it costs
at the moment. Their lines are all engaged and the online forms don't
result in any figures.

Well that should be a warning. If they won't talk to you before they get
your money you shouldn't have high expectations after they have your money.

Why not research the product costs at for example
www.discountedheating.co.uk and then
discuss with a local plumber.

Jim A

[[email protected]]

On 17 Jan, 11:15, "Jim Alexander" wrote:
"Eddy" wrote in message

news
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? * (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.) *Nothing
fancy.

I just need a very rough idea very quickly of how many £1000s it costs
at the moment. * Their lines are all engaged and the online forms don't
result in any figures.

Well that should be a warning. *If they won't talk to you before they get
your money you shouldn't have high expectations after they have your money..

Why not research the product costs at for examplewww.discountedheating.co.ukand then
discuss with a local plumber.

Jim A

I agree that's the sensible way to do it - however - some people also
like to purchase the non-tangible product that a big name provides -
peace of mind. You know that if they don't do the job correctly then
you can stamp your feet and bang your fists until they do it
correctly.

It seems to me that the way they work out the price is :- (cost of
materials + labour costs + profit) x 3.
The multiplication factor is the non-tangible added value that peace
of mind provides you.
The higher the multiplier, then more peace of mind you get.

Just my opinions!

Mark.

[A.Lee]

Eddy wrote:

Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.) Nothing
fancy.

I just need a very rough idea very quickly of how many ?1000s it costs
at the moment. Their lines are all engaged and the online forms don't
result in any figures.

I fitted one the week before Christmas - ripped out everything to the
bare walls, even old skirting off.
Prices:
Bath/sink/toilet - £300 (reduced from £500 in the sale)
Shower - £150
Wall and floor tiles - £400 (good quality, large tiles for the walls)
Tile adhesive - £60
Various plumbing fittings and wastes etc - £50
Sundries, - another £50
My charge - £450 (included some fittings, and wood etc.)

So the total for this small ( approx. 6' x 8' ) bathroom would be around
£1500.
The large chains will charge siginificantly more than this, and not do
the 'total refurb' which I did - for example I did away with the poorly
designed waster pipes, and put a new single pipe in place, made wood
boxing for the pipe etc.
Alan.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

[Eddy[_2_]]

wrote:
3k is my guestimate.
Let me know what they actually quote!

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts. It's a big help.

Well, five hours ago, the MFI telephone system promised to call back
within three hours . . . and they haven't.

BnQ are sending a guy out tomorrow for a no-charges full quote.

Before he comes I'll do the pricing you suggest, online.

Thanks a lot everyone.

Eddy.

[Tony Bryer]

On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:36:39 -0800 (PST) wrote :
It seems to me that the way they work out the price is :- (cost
of materials + labour costs + profit) x 3.
The multiplication factor is the non-tangible added value that
peace of mind provides you.
The higher the multiplier, then more peace of mind you get.

I guess that's what Dolphin would want customers to think. My mum
made the mistake of letting one of their reps in some years back:
eventually a price was forced out of him (IIRC £5K for a corner
shower in a bedroom) and after that he was reluctant to leave.

--
Tony Bryer SDA UK 'Software to build on' http://www.sda.co.uk

[The Natural Philosopher]

Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.) Nothing
fancy.

I just need a very rough idea very quickly of how many �1000s it costs
at the moment. Their lines are all engaged and the online forms don't
result in any figures.

Eddy.

You can DIY it for under a grand for sure.

Not sure I would trust a chain to find a decent bathroom specialist.

Better to find a local man, and get him to quote..even if he gets his
stuff from B & Q.

Should be under 2 grand if units are nothing special, tiles are basic,
and not too extensnive etc etc.

[The Natural Philosopher]

A.Lee wrote:
Eddy wrote:

Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.) Nothing
fancy.

I just need a very rough idea very quickly of how many ?1000s it costs
at the moment. Their lines are all engaged and the online forms don't
result in any figures.

I fitted one the week before Christmas - ripped out everything to the
bare walls, even old skirting off.
Prices:
Bath/sink/toilet - �300 (reduced from �500 in the sale)
Shower - �150
Wall and floor tiles - �400 (good quality, large tiles for the walls)
Tile adhesive - �60
Various plumbing fittings and wastes etc - �50
Sundries, - another �50
My charge - �450 (included some fittings, and wood etc.)

So the total for this small ( approx. 6' x 8' ) bathroom would be around
�1500.
The large chains will charge siginificantly more than this, and not do
the 'total refurb' which I did - for example I did away with the poorly
designed waster pipes, and put a new single pipe in place, made wood
boxing for the pipe etc.
Alan.


I think this fully justifies my earlier post. Find the man. The units
are easy to find, the right man is not.

The other advice from a man I did find once was 'expensive tiles: cheap
china'

Even a crap plastic bath looks great when surrounded by good quality
tiles. I did out the latest bathroom in quartzite mosaic. OK, I spent
nearl 400 quid on them, as against, maybe 100 quid for cheap crap, so
waht is 300 quid in a 3 grand plus bathroom? Not a lot.

[Phil L]

Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.)

About 500% more expensive than getting someone proper to do it.


Nothing fancy.

Except the price, and the multitude of small print you will agree to prior
to them fiting it, which of course removes all libility from them and their
contractors.


I just need a very rough idea very quickly of how many £1000s it costs
at the moment. Their lines are all engaged and the online forms
don't result in any figures.

Eddy.

The big chains pay peanuts and use people who are unable to get work of
their own, IE, if you were a high quality bathroom fitter, would you
advertise in the local press and get local work and make good money, or
would you work for peanuts for one of the chains and travel all over the
country?

[Mike Tomlinson]

In article , The Natural
Philosopher writes

The other advice from a man I did find once was 'expensive tiles: cheap
china'

I agree. Worked for me on a bathroom refurb (except I got a genuine
Jacuzzi shower/bath at a quarter of the price from a sale.)

--
(\__/) Bunny says NO to Windows Vista!
(='.'=) http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut00...ista_cost.html
(")_(")

[The Natural Philosopher]

Phil L wrote:
Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.)

About 500% more expensive than getting someone proper to do it.


Nothing fancy.

Except the price, and the multitude of small print you will agree to prior
to them fiting it, which of course removes all libility from them and their
contractors.

I just need a very rough idea very quickly of how many �1000s it costs
at the moment. Their lines are all engaged and the online forms
don't result in any figures.

Eddy.

The big chains pay peanuts and use people who are unable to get work of
their own, IE, if you were a high quality bathroom fitter, would you
advertise in the local press and get local work and make good money, or
would you work for peanuts for one of the chains and travel all over the
country?


Precisely.

[tim \(not at home\)]

"Phil L" wrote in message
.uk...
Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.)

About 500% more expensive than getting someone proper to do it.

This is not my experience (of both bathrooms and kitchens).

The MFI/B&Q quotes were less than a 'professional' wanted.

The Sharps/Dolphins/etc do charge 5 times as much.

tim

[The Natural Philosopher]

tim (not at home) wrote:
"Phil L" wrote in message
.uk...
Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.)
About 500% more expensive than getting someone proper to do it.

This is not my experience (of both bathrooms and kitchens).

The MFI/B&Q quotes were less than a 'professional' wanted.

That's because they use monkeys.

And of course, what you find out is that most of what constitutes what
you would think of as an installation, is in fact not included..




The Sharps/Dolphins/etc do charge 5 times as much.

Sure. The overhead of running those showrooms, the onsite visits, the
planning and drawing up..costs money.



tim

[Bob Mannix]

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
tim (not at home) wrote:
"Phil L" wrote in message
.uk...
Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.)
About 500% more expensive than getting someone proper to do it.

This is not my experience (of both bathrooms and kitchens).

The MFI/B&Q quotes were less than a 'professional' wanted.

That's because they use monkeys.

And of course, what you find out is that most of what constitutes what you
would think of as an installation, is in fact not included..

Having heard that MFI were "quite good" now went for an MFI fit kitchen
(currently on 5th day of 3-day fix).

The NP might say the above, I couldn't possibly comment (


--
Bob Mannix
(anti-spam is as easy as 1-2-3 - not)

[The Natural Philosopher]

Bob Mannix wrote:
"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
tim (not at home) wrote:
"Phil L" wrote in message
.uk...
Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.)
About 500% more expensive than getting someone proper to do it.
This is not my experience (of both bathrooms and kitchens).

The MFI/B&Q quotes were less than a 'professional' wanted.
That's because they use monkeys.

And of course, what you find out is that most of what constitutes what you
would think of as an installation, is in fact not included..

Having heard that MFI were "quite good" now went for an MFI fit kitchen
(currently on 5th day of 3-day fix).

The NP might say the above, I couldn't possibly comment (


I have probably done about 8 bathrooms. more or less, in my time.

Most of them were in older properties,but even in the new property with
green field, there is still an awkward amount of plumbing to be fettled
in, wastes to be string and supported correctly, and then even when the
china is in things have to be boxed in, made good, decorated and tiled,
and then SWMBO will want this or that toilet roll holder, mirror with
lights,bathroom cabinet..all of which may or may not find convenient
studs to fix to.

If its a refurb,. there is stripping out.

None of this is easily quantifiable. Not without a site inspection and
report, which ion itself is damn near a days work.

Even then things can go pear shaped. I've got a cupboard with a hole in
the floor over the rodding eye on a right angle bit of basin waste..that
was unexpected and time costly.

Friend's have a saniflo that was simply plastered into a wall..when it
went wrong (naturally it DID. disposable razor blade dropped down the
loo accidentally one hears), had to remove a load of tiles and hack a
hole in the wall, make a proper removable panel etc..

I doubt that a bathroom in a week is possible for one man doing all the
bits that really OUGHT to be done. Work with unimaginative and
uncreative gibbons ==(yer average contract plumber) and corners will be cut.

It takes me the best part of a day to prep up a room for
painting..filling sanding skimmimng, making good, caulking..

Tiling is a days work at least.

Boxing in pipes and making nice bath panels..as long as it takes.Days
usually You *can* use those orrible plastic panels..but who wants em?

I think that £750 labour is the minimum. And it might be 4 times that
for a biggish fancy job. Last one I did involved a LOT of WP ply to put
the shower tray on, and to stiffen up the floor and bath so the tiles
wouldn't crack off on the bath edge, or on the floor.

[tim \(not at home\)]

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
tim (not at home) wrote:
"Phil L" wrote in message
.uk...
Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.)
About 500% more expensive than getting someone proper to do it.

This is not my experience (of both bathrooms and kitchens).

The MFI/B&Q quotes were less than a 'professional' wanted.

That's because they use monkeys.

Well they didn't use the best guy in the book, but he was good enough. And
if you don't like it you don't give them the final cheque.


And of course, what you find out is that most of what constitutes what you
would think of as an installation, is in fact not included..

The did everythng in the price that I expected


The Sharps/Dolphins/etc do charge 5 times as much.

Sure. The overhead of running those showrooms, the onsite visits, the
planning and drawing up..costs money.

and so do MFI. The difference with Sharps is that 50% of what you are
paying go into the pocket of the sales staff.

tim

[Andy Hall]

On 2008-01-18 20:09:04 +0000, "tim \(not at home\)"
said:


"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
tim (not at home) wrote:
"Phil L" wrote in message
.uk...
Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.)
About 500% more expensive than getting someone proper to do it.

This is not my experience (of both bathrooms and kitchens).

The MFI/B&Q quotes were less than a 'professional' wanted.

That's because they use monkeys.

Well they didn't use the best guy in the book, but he was good enough. And
if you don't like it you don't give them the final cheque.

You paid by cheque?

Oh dear.......

[tim \(not at home\)]

"Andy Hall" wrote in message news:479131d4@qaanaaq...
On 2008-01-18 20:09:04 +0000, "tim \(not at home\)"
said:


"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
tim (not at home) wrote:
"Phil L" wrote in message
.uk...
Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.)
About 500% more expensive than getting someone proper to do it.

This is not my experience (of both bathrooms and kitchens).

The MFI/B&Q quotes were less than a 'professional' wanted.

That's because they use monkeys.

Well they didn't use the best guy in the book, but he was good enough.
And
if you don't like it you don't give them the final cheque.

You paid by cheque?

Oh dear.......

I piad the deposit in the shop by card.

I can't remember how I paid the balance, but were I unhappy, I wouldn't
have.

tim

[Andy Hall]

On 2008-01-19 12:21:13 +0000, "tim \(not at home\)"
said:


"Andy Hall" wrote in message news:479131d4@qaanaaq...
On 2008-01-18 20:09:04 +0000, "tim \(not at home\)"
said:


"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
tim (not at home) wrote:
"Phil L" wrote in message
.uk...
Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.)
About 500% more expensive than getting someone proper to do it.

This is not my experience (of both bathrooms and kitchens).

The MFI/B&Q quotes were less than a 'professional' wanted.

That's because they use monkeys.

Well they didn't use the best guy in the book, but he was good enough.
And
if you don't like it you don't give them the final cheque.

You paid by cheque?

Oh dear.......

I piad the deposit in the shop by card.

I can't remember how I paid the balance, but were I unhappy, I wouldn't
have.

tim

Much better to pay everything via a card or some other credit vehicle,
not from the perspective of extending payment, but of having the
additional leverage of the Consumer Credit Act if the arrangement goes
tits up.

[tim \(not at home\)]

"Andy Hall" wrote in message news:4791f32c@qaanaaq...
On 2008-01-19 12:21:13 +0000, "tim \(not at home\)"
said:


"Andy Hall" wrote in message news:479131d4@qaanaaq...
On 2008-01-18 20:09:04 +0000, "tim \(not at home\)"
said:


"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
tim (not at home) wrote:
"Phil L" wrote in message
.uk...
Eddy wrote:
Are there any people who can give me the ballpark cost of getting
the
likes of MFI, BnQ, or Homebase to put in a new bathroom? (New
bath
with shower-doors, toilet, bidet, basin, tiling and flooring.)
About 500% more expensive than getting someone proper to do it.

This is not my experience (of both bathrooms and kitchens).

The MFI/B&Q quotes were less than a 'professional' wanted.

That's because they use monkeys.

Well they didn't use the best guy in the book, but he was good enough.
And
if you don't like it you don't give them the final cheque.

You paid by cheque?

Oh dear.......

I piad the deposit in the shop by card.

I can't remember how I paid the balance, but were I unhappy, I wouldn't
have.

tim

Much better to pay everything via a card or some other credit vehicle, not
from the perspective of extending payment, but of having the additional
leverage of the Consumer Credit Act if the arrangement goes tits up.

you do not need to pay "everything" to have this protection

tim

[Eddy[_2_]]

wrote:
3k is my guestimate.
Let me know what they actually quote!

Thanks, everyone, for your "estimates". You may be as shocked, and
depressed, as I was yesterday afternoon after the BnQ bathrooms chap
left here . . . having quoted just under £5K for a complete new
bathroom.

Maybe I should state exactly what we would/will get for the £5K.

First, off it's a 300cm x 197cm bathroom.

- four walls & ceiling replaced & replastered.
- basic bath with shower cubicle mounted over it at one end
- basic basin, basic toilet, & basic bidet
- tiles on all four walls to a height of 1 metre approx, minus door
area, & higher in corner whether shower will be mounted
- tiles on floor

On Monday I'm going to call a local bathroom fitter and get him in to
see how he quotes for the same work. I wonder if it'll be any less.

Eddy.

[Andy Hall]

On 2008-01-19 13:27:52 +0000, "tim \(not at home\)"
said:

I piad the deposit in the shop by card.

I can't remember how I paid the balance, but were I unhappy, I wouldn't
have.

tim

Much better to pay everything via a card or some other credit vehicle, not
from the perspective of extending payment, but of having the additional
leverage of the Consumer Credit Act if the arrangement goes tits up.

you do not need to pay "everything" to have this protection

tim

Depends.

If they cock up the whole thing, you might be glad to have some control
over the total sum paid rather than a piece of it.

[tim \(not at home\)]

"Andy Hall" wrote in message news:47925133@qaanaaq...
On 2008-01-19 13:27:52 +0000, "tim \(not at home\)"
said:

I piad the deposit in the shop by card.

I can't remember how I paid the balance, but were I unhappy, I wouldn't
have.

tim

Much better to pay everything via a card or some other credit vehicle,
not
from the perspective of extending payment, but of having the additional
leverage of the Consumer Credit Act if the arrangement goes tits up.

you do not need to pay "everything" to have this protection

tim

Depends.

If they cock up the whole thing, you might be glad to have some control
over the total sum paid rather than a piece of it.

If they cock up, you make your full claim jointly againts the Credit Card
company. This is NOT restricted to the amount paid on the card

tim