Why is _no one allowed_ to install my washbasins?

We do not know his calculation for heating/sanitary, with some luck there is a total amount listed, but it goes in this direction

Total amount minus furniture = remaining costs that I want from him!

Actually a simple calculation.

As I said, I am of course also aware that it will not be that simple and practice differs significantly from theory.

We will try our luck this evening and see how he argues.

Is this way of thinking wrong?

Yes. With the general contractor (GU), the trades are often pressed until just before losing money. The standard is therefore deliberately set low – they make their profit through the upgrade. Especially popular with heating, sanitation, and tiles. You then have to go to the bathroom showroom and pay the list price; depending on the number of customers, the installer receives double-digit percentages cashback for the "referral."

However, the advantage compared to your order from Reuters is that all small parts and assembly aids are included – because if you as a layperson forget a clamp, who pays for the useless trip of the installer who had actually planned the whole day on your construction site?

And: if the bathtub leaks, Reuters will just pay you for a new one, delivered to the curb. And then?! The installer has to take responsibility for the entire trade, so in that case also do the removal and installation. Among other things, that’s what the bathroom showroom’s commission is for!

And: the installer must also take responsibility for what was installed from Reuter, even if it wasn’t his fault at all. So in that example, he would have to install the bathtub for free even though he was only paid for the initial work on your Reuter bathtub!

*Reuters as a representative for all online retailers.

You can also have just the basic installation plus the tub done. For the rest like installing the toilet, washbasin, holders for toilet paper and towels, shower enclosure, and faucets, you can gladly try to do that yourself. Don’t forget the silicone at the end. And you should probably have a tiler on hand as well, and the move-in time will accordingly be extended.

However, for omitting the basin and so on, he will probably only credit you a token amount. If anything, you would have had to do that before signing the contract and fix your desired standard (series, manufacturer, size) there. Now it’s... too late!

You can also just have the basic installation plus the tub done. For the rest like installing the toilet, washbasin, holders for toilet paper and towels, shower enclosure, and fittings, you can gladly try yourself. Don’t forget the silicone at the end. And you should probably also have a tiler on hand, and the curing time will correspondingly be extended.

However, for omitting the basin and the like, he will probably only credit you a small amount. If anything, you would have had to do that BEFORE signing the contract and fix your desired standard (series, manufacturer, size) there. Now it’s ... too late!

We are not even close to signing the contract.

It will probably be signed in 4-8 weeks. He has also not yet received an "official" award. In other words, everything is still open.

We are not even close to the contract yet

It is expected to be signed in 4-8 weeks. He has also not yet received an "official" award. In other words, everything is still open

Well – then you still have room to negotiate!

But only charging me half? Come on, that would be total rip-off

Haha, "would be" is subjunctive *LOL* But let's turn the tables and naively ask the builders: where is the general contractor supposed to make their profit from - does anyone seriously believe that is possible with the item "stone stacking"?