Allowances when buying a new house

I am about to put in an offer on a house that is close to completion - the seller is advertising a price to include allowances of 25k for tiling, kitchen and fireplace - When you see this in the brochure, does the allowance cover fitting/labour costs as well or is it just materials etc? Am I better off justing negotiating around the cost excluding allowances and then looking to get someone else in to finish the specified work?- thanks

depends on the quality of what u are getting, see if the 25K is good quality or will it be absorbed by the builder for labour, which could be the case, look at what you are getting and shop around to get the equilivent and see if the figures match up..also going with the builder, you might get the work done faster before the keys are handed over

Camry said:

However, you could test the theory by asking for 25k off the price instead.

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Exactly. Just say that you will pay 25k less for the house. You are unlikely to be getting any deals by going with a fixed supplier for your kitchen, fireplace tiles etc.

Allowances are for your convenience and convenience always costs money.

To clarify what they usually mean say for a kitchen, €10,000 allowance you go to one fitter, pick out a kitchen he has. He knows your budget is €10,000 so he'll supply and install whatever he can up to €10,000. Not a good way to get a kitchen. Good example, go to any builders providers ask for the list price of a kitchen door. Ask them how much for 15 of those doors and you'll pay less guaranteed.

for 25k you could get a hand crafted kitchen with granite and porcelain tiles all round , including labour if you can do the shopping yourself. Also you would get a fab solid oak fireplace with granite surround for 2.5k including fitting - get him to knock off the price and organise it all yourself - mentioni taht you will not hold them accountable for kitchen finish in snag and organise all your trades etc for week you sign for house - it would take less than 1 week to get kitchen fitted and tiling done.

Thanks all! Followed your advice and got him to knock the €25k!! Much appreciated