Fitting Only Prices

[rmillener]

Hi All,

 

I have bought a set of 4.3m sliding doors, a set of 2.3m sliding doors, a new composite front and a composite back door. I have ordered all of these from companies direct and therefore only require fitting. 

 

I know that asking for people to fit doors only can sometimes cause their noses to be turned up as they are only making the fitting money and not their cut on the products as well. 

 

I have found a local fitter who has quoted £2000 plus VAT. What do people think to that price? Personally I think it seems a little steep? I know the front and rear doors are relatively easy to fit... the big sliders will take some fitting, but the rest is nothing too out of the ordinary.

 

When the guy came to do a survey he thought he could fit them all in a day, so based on that, even if there was four of them for 8 hours that's still £62.50 per hour, and when compared to the other tradesman charging £30-40 per hour it seems expensive. 

 

My partners dad is a retired joiner so we were also considering fitting ourselves.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

Rich 

[markc]

£2K sounds like a bargain, anyone can fit doors and sliders, but not many can fit them well.

the 4.3m wide set is going to need a lot of fiddling, packing and adjusting to get it right. Quite possibly a return to re adjust too.

[craig]

How many people? The sliding doors can take a day to fit, they can be relatively straight forward especially if typical UK sliding doors and not lift and slide and as a result less than a day. The 2 doors should take no more than a couple of hours. I'd send 3 guys for that personally and they'd have everything done in a day (if products already on site, not having to offload etc.). £350 per man per day. Others charge per item, i.e. a door could be £150, sliding door £250.00+. Is any lifting equipment included, materials, travel, accommodation etc? 

 

£2K sounds steep but it depends on what has and hasn't been included.

[saveasteading]

1 hour ago, craig said:

but it depends

How often do you find a problem that requires a return?

And if the doors don't fit.

Does your day rate include a proportion of wasted time?

[craig]

1 hour ago, saveasteading said:

How often do you find a problem that requires a return?

And if the doors don't fit.

Does your day rate include a proportion of wasted time?

 

Honestly? Every job requires a return and anyone telling you otherwise for a new build is being disingenuous with the truth. At least one return is required. However, that doesn't mean that the installation, of windows, doors, and openings, is wrong or not ready. It just means our install teams perform service calls within the 1st year (at least we allow for it anyway) and the client can choose whether it is something they want. However, you will find that building movement/settlement requires adjustments; if not taken, it's chargeable once the installation has been completed and signed off.

• "If" the doors don't fit, then why? What has caused the issue, is it the product size? If yes, is it our fault? If yes find a solution if available and address it with agreement from the client/contractor and foot the bill.
• Has it been the install team, have they incorrectly installed at the wrong height/position? If yes, then they foot the bill and re-attend. 
• "if" it is building related etc. and there is nothing we can do, advise the client/contractor of the problem and what needs to be done. Move on to the next item and continue. If it doesn't add extra time (i.e. the install team have 5 days allowed, 2 days to erect/install a large sliding door, for example, 2 days for windows, then install all the windows) if in 3 days it's not ready. Then it will require a return visit. That will incur additional costs for travel and accommodation and potentially an extra day, and then the client/contractor will have to foot the bill for it.
• Proportion for wasted time, no. Time shouldn't be wasted, the site and installers should be ready for the installation of the windows and doors if any time is wasted it's generally due to the site not being ready but it also can be a result that the delivery hasn't turned up when requested. An example, if 5 days install is allowed, it's actually only 4, 1 day of that is for travel to the site (distance dependent) and offload/distribution. If it is delivery that has been delayed, the haulier foots the bill. However, we are pretty decent with hauliers and if any delays we know 2 or 3 days in advance and can plan ahead. It has happened a few times now with delays at customs.

Edited March 24, 2023 by craig

[saveasteading]

I omitted to say that I was referring to fitting doors and windows supplied by the client, and you fitting only, previously unseen I presume.

That, to me, would be high risk, but is what the original question was.

[craig]

That’s a different kettle of fish, but not to dissimilar. Only difference is responsibility falls onto who ordered and measured, install wise you can only fit what you’ve been asked to fit. If it doesn’t then cost for lost earnings etc. would/should have been agreed.