Mixer taps - plumbing price increase

Rikster · Jan 23, 2008 8:17 am

Hi there,
We are currently building a project home with a builder.

They do all their plumbing using copper piping.

We signed a building contract stating that we would supply our own taps. Before Christmas the builders were due to start the plumbing work & they asked us what type of taps we would be supplying. We said we would be supplying mixers for all basins, bath & showers. They didn't mention any cost increases at this point.

They started the plumbing & then went on Christmas leave.

After they came back from their Christmas break they stated that they will be charging extra per mixer as they are more expensive to install than standard taps. They reckon about $120 per tap extra.
Is this true - do mixer taps cost more / take longer to install than normal taps ? - are they taking us for a ride ?

Casa2 · Jan 23, 2008 8:31 am

I know nothing about plumbing so feel infinitely qualified to provide an opinion.

Normal tap = hot water pluming to tap then off to spout + cold water plumbing to tap then off to spout.

Mixer tap = hot water plumbing to mixer + cold water plumbing to mixer.

Looks like less work to me!!!!

All this is beside the point. It doesn't matter what it costs. Put the builder aside and look at the contract. What does it say? This is all that matters.

However, I'd be interested in hearing from a plumber about whether the builder is taking you for a ride. If so, and you are at the beginning of the process, it's going to be a very bumpy ride.

Cheers,
Casa

Cookiemonster · Jan 23, 2008 8:43 am

I agree with Casa. I would have thought a mixer tap would be cheaper to install or at the very least the same amount of work. Certainly not $120 worth extra for each one.

Helyn · Jan 23, 2008 8:44 am

I just looked up our selections list: in our contract the kitchen has a mixer tap as standard but we upgraded the bathroom taps to mixers, they are supplying, and we have only been charged for the cost of the taps, no mention of extra to install.
Better not be any sting down the track when they actually install them, but surely this would have to be stated in selection contracts as they cannot claim it to be an "unforeseen circumstance".

bec · Jan 23, 2008 8:52 am

do they must mean just for the shower mixers?
and did they ask you to provide the shower mixers?
as far as I know they need these earlier in the job than with normal shower taps

PhoenixStar · Jan 23, 2008 9:12 am

Rikster, firstly welcome to the forum!!!

In regards to your issue, like Casa2 mentioned earlier, check the wording of your contract carefully....some will say that if you supply or ask the builder to supply specific/different items, they can charge a set fee or a % of the value of the item being supplied.

In regards to being harder to install, mixer taps are the norm with most builders.. there would be no more work that if there would be for the standard style of tap.

I would firstly check your contract wording and then be questioning the builder... $120 is a bit steep though??? Are they special mixers that may be different to install to standard mixers perhaps???

Either way, do your homework first before approaching your builder....

Good Luck...

Adrian B · Jan 23, 2008 9:21 am

If anyone has a picture for frog ****, can they please insert it here, I tried Google images.

I had to tighten mine up over the weekend so I had a good look at the base.

Basically, the base has a long threaded lug which is used for holding it in place. Then there are 2 threaded inputs, one for hot water, the other for cold.

You connect the hoses from the supply taps to the hot and cold inputs on the mixer. These are what the hoses look like.

Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

The installation should be easy as well, A small silicon bead around the hole (helps stop the unit from moving).

Withhoses fitted, place the tap in palce. Thread the big circlip looking base bracket and tighten up the nut.

Done

Ask them to justify the increase

bec · Jan 23, 2008 9:41 am

Ive been told its more expensive for shower and bath mixers

there is extra work and these mixers are installed prior to when plumbing would normally, eg they should ask you for the goods

but basins I dont think are extra?

Helyn · Jan 23, 2008 10:34 am

We have upgraded 2 showers and the bath, as well as the bathroom basins, and not being charged any extra for installation for any of them.
And only $125 cost to upgrade from standard taps to mixers.
Total, that is, NOT per tap.

And on from my previous post, I checked other things on contract: where, for example, we are having frieze tiles, we have been charged the cost of the tiles and extra for installation.
Which is fair enough, but shows that installation would be shown in variation contracts.

Rikster · Jan 23, 2008 11:41 am

Thanks everyone for your replys. The builders have indeed asked us for the bodys of the bath & shower mixers.
This was before they shocked us with the price increase.

Currently we are negotiating with the builders.

If we knew they were going to charge $120 extra per tap for mixers, we would have bought standard taps.
Now we have all the taps sitting in our house & cannot return them.

I'll let you all know what happens.

Dukekamaya · Jan 30, 2008 7:55 pm

It is different installing mixers for showers/baths as opposed to vanities/kitchen sink. That being said there should be no price difference for the vanity at least.

Rikster · Feb 04, 2008 7:45 pm

After a long negotiation, the builders agreed to foot the cost of the extra work. Phew ! that was not fun !

Hopefully nothing else like this will crop up again.

PhoenixStar · Feb 04, 2008 7:55 pm

Good on you Rikster, glad it all worked out in the end.....

Stay on top of them though??? :wink: