How do I get a comprehensive quote from a trade?

[Mark300zx]

I got a quote from the plumber to install a new bathroom and spoke to him regarding the tiling and he said: "We'll sort it" (ambiguous I realise now), I thought great got the quote and started work, then he mentioned the extra cost of the tiling and plastering, I shouldn't have been surprised as this wasn't detailed in the quote, but feel a bit bent over now!

My question to the sages of PH what's the proper way to get a good quote?

[Mark300zx]

nuyorican said:

Just to play devil's avocado,

Unless I've misunderstood. You accepted quote to fit bathroom. You ask plumber if he can also do the tiling. Plumber agrees. A separate or new amended quote is neither offered or requested. So maybe plumber just thought you were happy for him to just add it on?

Maybe but my main question is how to get an accurate quote?

[E63eeeeee...]

Give an accurate spec for the job

[trickywoo]

Mark300zx said:

Maybe but my main question is how to get an accurate quote?

Get a couple of other tilers round to quote.

Unless it’s stupid money I’d run with what the plumber has said and just get it done.

Tiling will be surprisingly expensive.

[z4RRSchris]

give an accurate spec

drawings where everything goes
what goes where with material specs
who is providing materials - are you providing white goods and tiles and expect him to provide adhesives, spacers, backing, ply, pipework etc etc.
to be helpful detail in sqm
hows the shower being fixed, if its a flush wet room need to think about tanking, reinforcing cut beams etc.
RCP for lighting
small power
plumbing layout

bongo bingo bingo bongo

[Mark300zx]

nuyorican said:

It's not rocket surgery. Ask a few trades how much your properly described job will cost? Ask them to break it down into labour/materials/VAT etc if you want specifics.

I this a trick question?

Rocket surgery?

[Ham_and_Jam]

Mark300zx said:

Rocket surgery?

Brain science

[DickyC]

Ham_and_Jam said:

Mark300zx said:

Rocket surgery?

Brain science

Don't confuse the issue.

Rocket surgery is just the posh name for cutting the stalks off before cooking.

[Douglas Quaid]

Ask them for a quote. If it isn’t itemised then ask them what is and isn’t included.

[DickyC]

In my experience, the best you can hope for is an estimate.

[reggie747]

DickyC said:

In my experience, the best you can hope for is an estimate.

Not particularly. I was a domestic level building contractor for almost 40 yrs until health issues forced retirement.
A quote is/was provided for all the works requested in great detail - doesn't take long to present.
Any variation requested by the client, was highlighted and costed up on the fly and email addendums sent to keep both them and myself abreast of everything.
If it's not on the quote, it's not getting done.
If you want more, it costs more.
I'd also say to them "allow a 10% contingent for things you may not have thought about in summing up your figures. If you don't get extravagant, you won't spend that 10%"