what should I pay plumber?

monkeytennis14

I know this thread is technically for quotes but would really like any advice on plumbing work already undertaken.

I asked a plumber (husband of my friend) to fix our toilet - was slow to refill and flush etc. He said it needed a larger orifice and came on Weds to undertake the work. I didn't formally ask for a quote (regret this now) and simly asked him to take a look. He came whilst I was at work and said he spent approx 1 and 1/2 hours and fitted a larger orifice. The toilet refilled better and flushes better - he said this was best he was likely to get it without going into pipe work. He said cost would be £65 per hour - i.e. 2 hours at £130 (we are in SW London).

Later that evening became apparent we had no hot water - probably airlocked. Rang plumber and he said no problem would return in morning to sort and indeed cold water had airlocked on him that day and he had sorted this.

My husband returned from work yesterday and plumber was there and said he had not been able to restore hot water after several hours of work and had replaced taps to cold water tank in loft. He returned this morning for a further 1 1/2 hours and said it was indeed the "mother" of all air locks and probably due to our antiquated pipe work (house was built in 1969). He never consulted us about replacing taps.

On leaving he said he would get his wife to do invoice and she will give to me when children meet at ballet class tomorrow (awkward!) and is going to be higher than he initially said and would need to reflect nearly a day's labour charge. I groaned and he asked me what I thought would be a fair payment. I didn't know what to say so simply said we could discuss on receipt of invoice.

I am very worried about receiving a huge bill for labour and tap parts. He never consulted us and I wonder how skilled he was at removing the air lock? I also don't know how long he spent at our property yesterday and suppose I have to go on trust. I now wish I had asked for a quote and am very nervous about dealing with this with a friendship involved.

Does anyone have any advice about how we can reach a reasonable agreement and what might be reasonable payment?

baldelectrician

I think £35 per hour is fair (bear in mind there is no corgi requirement as he is messing about with water)

Labour 8 hours @ £35 = £280 plus any parts

Go from there, hope this helps

macduf

I would not pay him more than £20 an hour. You need to be firm and confront him. I could get quality plumbers for under £20 an hour when the boom was on.

jennytiger

Your in abit of a catch 22

You never asked how much it was going to be and he never told you.

What ever he invoices you, he will think is fair or is normal hourly rate, you can negotiate with him. I would expect to pay between £20 - £30 an hour.

Remember he has to travel to and from your house, tax, VAT? and if he is running a van he has these costs to include.

andyhop

macduf wrote: »

I would not pay him more than £20 an hour. You need to be firm and confront him. I could get quality plumbers for under £20 an hour when the boom was on.

Why would someone be self employed when there can make £18-£20 per hour working for a agency

As a sole trader i charge approx £40 per hour for small jobs

Canucklehead

Hi

Just to give you an idea of what you can pay in London not Scotland.
Obviously quite a lot of Londoners pay that as the company would otherwise fold.
You would be looking in excess £500 as he has been out twice.(based on his £65/h)
if he were doing this for any other customer.
As jennytiger says , you have got yourself into a bit of a corner.You'll need to talk.

Corgi Guy.

trf1960

Have to agree that you have put yourself in a very awkward situation. One thing I know for sure, most self employed 'sole traders' work on the rule of "no such thing as mate rates" - they need to earn living.

Always, always get quotes for jobs from companies, sole traders, friends and even family !