Sanitary heating company problems - Is it allowed to decide autonomously?

Without knowing much about it: Isn't the construction contractor responsible for that? He should clarify the dubious additional costs with you, not you with the plumbing company.

Without having any expertise here: Isn't the construction contractor responsible for that? He should clarify the dubious additional costs with you, not you with the sanitation company.

no, of course he's not.

At least that's what the architectural office explained to me, nobody knows anything about anything, they always say, settle that during the sampling...
However, I find it more than suspicious that I'm not told whether Elco or Brötje will be installed, especially when my preference is simply ignored without comment. I would prefer the Brötje, but whatever!

Hello Nicki78,

yes, the trade plumbing, sanitary equipment, heating and solar is included.

Then I suspect – of course without guarantee – that you signed with a provider who belongs rather to the cheap providers? That would explain the procedure you described below:

There have already been various other problems with this plumbing company, surcharges for special requests that were absolutely incomprehensible, including 3500 euros without VAT for 2 shower enclosures plus 350 euros each for installation, surcharges for washbasins that only had a different shape of 250 euros, 27 euros were charged for the standard washbasin... which, however, is sold for 155 euros and all such things... with 2 bathrooms and a guest WC that already adds up to quite a few additional costs...

Subcontractors of providers who appear unbeatable cheap upfront, i.e. in the pre-contract phase, make their margin during the phases of trade execution; they even have to do this, otherwise their losses are higher than the operating profit. A game that does not work for long...

This is not documented in writing for the special requests, but it is verbally offered to us before each sample selection, mostly with the question: How much would you like to spend extra for your (trade)?

Then the plumbing company is satisfied with the standard, as it represents a nice extra income for the otherwise existing business without much advertising effort. The orders coming in anyway (I still assume the standard is set at the lower end of the scale) are adjusted to the necessary revenue; discussion excluded...

The gas boilers are either manufactured by Brötje or Elco. We would choose Brötje, it performed better.

... this is how it is in my opinion also with the boiler – is it even a gas condensing boiler?

What role does your architectural office have? Did it only prepare the building application, create execution plans or also participate in construction management/supervision, tendering of trades and subsequent cost control?

Kind regards

Hello Nicki78,

... that is also how it is in my opinion with the boiler - is it even a gas condensing boiler?

What is the role of your architectural firm? Did it only prepare the building application, create execution plans, or also take part in site management/supervision, tendering of trades, and subsequent cost control?

Best regards

Hi Bauexperte,

Well, this semi-detached house was generally sold to us as very high quality, meaning high-end fittings; I think with a price of EUR 295,000 you can certainly expect that..
The trade for sanitary, solar, heating alone amounts to EUR 23,500

I think the sanitary fittings unfortunately only make up a small part of this sum, since you have to reckon with very high additional costs...

The architectural firm is responsible for project management (contract, acquisition, and awarding management) with site manager, etc.

There will be a gas heating system, gas condensing boiler... this hasn’t come up yet, which is the strange thing, we have no idea what type, etc...
In any case, a gas heating system is contractually mentioned...

Best regards
Nicki78

295TEUR is quite a sum. 23TEUR for heating, solar, and sanitary is really little though. I’m estimating the heating system at a comfortable 7TEUR. Solar on top of that. Then there are the pipes and radiators. Without knowing the cost, I’d guess at least 15TEUR. That leaves at most 8TEUR for your bathroom. However, I would classify a bathroom from 10TEUR - rather 15TEUR - as "high quality". I’m budgeting 8TEUR, but we also do a lot ourselves and buy sinks at Ikea.

You have at most 8,000 EUR left for your bathroom. However, I would classify a bathroom costing _from_ 10,000 EUR - rather 15,000 EUR - as "high-quality." I plan with 8,000 EUR, but we do a lot ourselves and buy sinks at IKEA.

Hi Meecrob,

yes, I suspect that by now too, and I have already offered, in return for a settlement (i.e. crediting the standard costs), to procure the sanitary equipment myself; this was vehemently rejected, only allowed for self-installation at own risk and without credit!
I’m telling you, what a hassle I’ve had already with this trade...

It’s not just one bathroom, but 2, and a guest WC:
1st floor bathroom with 10 sqm
Attic shower bathroom with 8 sqm
However, without tiling work!!! Just for the equipment alone, but for 8,000 EUR you can get some really nice things...
The tiling work is a separate trade and is therefore paid for additionally.

IKEA is not exactly cheap either... I’ve already looked into that too ;)

Regards
Nicki78