A simple tapware upgrade with an Epic cost

Eden Brae's standard tapware range across their Prestige series homes is Dorf's Jovian range. One of the challenges with the Home Options process is that the full range was not on display. After visiting a number of different showrooms, we decided that we wanted to change a number of items from Dorf's Jovian range to the Dorf Epic range. The Epic range maintains square angles but is a little softer and cleaner. We found the Jovian range a little chunky for our taste.

Dorf Jovian v Epic (images from Dorf website)

To get a rough idea of the potential cost change, we did a calculation using the recommended retail prices (RRP) published on the Dorf website. Seemed reasonable enough. Based on the unit cost difference and the quantities required, we calculated an overall cost increase of $203.00 to switch ranges. Note: this excluded basin mixers as we have selected a mixer from Astra Walker.

When the costing came back from Cook's Plumbing Supplies, the figure was a whopping $2,068.19! That is a little over 1000% more!! For example, the RRP difference between the wall bath mixers is $5.00 online, but the cost increase from Cook's is $257.27. Really!

Now I understand that Eden Brae and/or Cook's Plumbing have no doubt done a great deal with Dorf on the Jovian range for Eden Brae's Prestige series homes but that cost increase is truly "epic".

We queried it with Cook's Plumbing. The explanation was that their pricing is not RRP and that the pricing on Dorf's Jovian range is the result of a bulk discount to Eden Brae. Sounds reasonable but surely does not explain the huge difference. Our contract says the builders margin is 20% but with no transparency, the consumer is left with no option but to trust the builder.

This small example does show very powerfully just how costly upgrades can be.

Pendant Light for Powder Room

The first piece of our new home arrived this week – a pendant light for the powder room from Ivory & Deane. We decided to purchase it in case it was no longer available by the time our rebuild was finished. 

The smallest room in the house is where we have decided to have a bit of fun with black, white and highlights in copper tones. We have chosen a matt black subway tile for the wall behind the basin/mirror. The wall tile will be laid in a herringbone pattern with black grout. Since we do not require any storage, we will go with a 600mm wall hung basin from Studio Bagno with AstraWalker's Metropolis basin mixer in flemish copper. To soften the square lines of the basin we will hang a round mirror from IKEA (Grundtal) with a black leather strapped mirror kit from etsy.com – thanks to Robyn from Inspired Interiors for that find! The pendant with it's black and copper detailing and a retro edison filament globe will finish the look.

Feature wall elevation

Flemish copper (right) is more subtle than copper (left)

Black subway tile with 600 x 600 floor tile and spotted gum flooring sample