Pricing sanitary fixtures, partially self-installation, additional purchase

Hello everyone,
we are currently in the initial phase of our new build. The walls are finished, and tomorrow the ring beam will be poured. We are having (almost) everything done by a general contractor. However, we have removed a few things because it was simply cheaper. For example, sanitary installations.
Since we personally know the site manager of the company, he recommended someone to us. This is not about discussing whether this company is competent. It is more about the following. We received a flat-rate offer including heating, ventilation, and sanitary. The sanitary objects were okay but not to our taste. Therefore, we selected new objects from the two wholesalers that supply this company......phew...that’s all I can say. The prices are steep. You will probably know this, we do not yet, as we have purchased in DIY stores until now. We want to do as little as possible ourselves (very tight on time), but that does not mean I can’t do things like this (I’m actually a tradesman by profession).

I’ve now asked quite simply why these objects are about 50% cheaper online than with him. That amounts to nearly €2,000 in total. With that, I set the ball rolling. No, we're well aware that we won’t buy online and have him install it. No craftsman would agree to that. But one can ask, can’t one? With the ceramics, the price is okay; we can live with it. But the faucets cost between €250 and €400 at the wholesaler, and I don’t see a qualitative difference. Likewise, a rain shower for €1,150. However, he says if anything, we would have to buy everything through him because of inspection and approval of the items. He can’t install hardware-store stuff because, in the worst case (colonization), he could be held liable.

My question is simply:
Can’t I demand that he get something cheaper for the faucets, the rain shower, etc.? From me, even hardware-store quality. Am I just being dumb here and have let myself be talked into it? The wholesaler is simply not our first choice. He should actually accommodate my wishes and not the other way around. I just think he uses only this one wholesaler because the conditions are best for him. But I don’t care about that at all. We’re talking about a total sum of over €30,000 here.

We’re not talking about saving at the wrong end here. We don’t want cheap ......, but with some things, the sense escapes me. The prices are sometimes just too high. Rain showers for €1,150 should also be cheaper, but not with him...
Can I simply say, if he is not willing to compromise, that I will buy something myself and install it myself? What about the warranty then?

Regards
Stephan

I think you have removed the plumber now? Then you can find another plumber who installs DIY store products for you.

By the way, you are not the customer of the wholesaler, that is the plumber.

We had the same problem. There is a price difference of about €5000. Now we order the same products online and have them installed by an external craftsman.

Hello Stephan,

(I am actually a craftsman by profession).

Then you should know better than anyone the difference between hardware store goods and building material trade :confused:

But the faucets cost between 250 and 400 euros in wholesale and I don't see the qualitative difference.

Then take them in your hand, then you will notice the difference. Also, you pay for the name of the respective manufacturer.

My question is simply:
Can’t I demand from him that he gets something cheap for the faucets, the rain shower, etc.? For me, hardware store quality is fine.

You can only choose from his assortment, but you cannot force him to buy from the hardware store.

The wholesaler is simply not our first choice. He should actually cater to my wishes and not me to his.

Within the scope of his assortment, he should do that. But he is not obliged to fall back on cheap hardware store goods.

Can’t I just say, if he is not willing to compromise, that I’ll buy and install something myself? How does the warranty work then?

You can; the warranty ceases for the part of the electrical installation, but the manufacturer’s warranty for the sanitary objects remains valid. The question is what then happens to the package price :confused:

Rhenish greetings