Fixture/Parts Question:


Basic question: What are all the parts of a bathroom fixtures?

Background: I am having a bathroom done and I wanted to buy the fixtures myself instead of going through my contractor so I could go online or to the store and get something I really wanted. This seemed great until things started to get installed. The contract keeps asking for check valves and drain traps that I am suppose to buy too. Are these things really a part of a fixture? I think it's a part of the instillation hardware, but the contractor says it's the fixture.

My parents recently did a bathroom too, and they did the same thing, but their contractor never asked for anything other than the fixture they picked up at a local home improvement store. So I keep running to Home Depot to find parts when all I thought I should have to buy was the box containing the fixture and misc. parts.

Is this some sort of gray area on what the "fixture" is? Is there any way I can tell him he is wrong? Or am I just too ignorant and should have specified things better in the contract?

Thanks.

He is scamming you. Those parts are not ALL necessary, but ARE part of the installation hardware, NOT the fixture.

the contractor is angry at not getting a mark-up on the fixtures so you are bearing the results of his anger..

I understand that you are trying to save money but you should have had an understanding with the Contractor prior to the beginning of construction on what you wanted to furnish and it should have been specific. Finish Plumbing refers to installing the angle stops, any valves not installed in the Top Out Phase of construction, fixtures not installed in the Top Out Phase, Water Heater, and usually hose bibs if not installed in the Top Out Phase.

One normally hires a Contractor to handle all of these things but you are making changes to the Contract and that needs to be up front. Hope this helps in your query. Good luck.