Have I been ripped off?

foreversummer

Hi

This is not so much a quote, but just a plumbing job that I needed done yesterday.

At 5 pm last evening I phoned a local plumber because my washing machine cold tap was shot. I had changed the hose to find that I could not turn it completely off not could I turn it on enough to run my washing machine.

He told me he would be with me shortly and turned up at about 5.45pm. Two guys turned up. They turned the water off at the mains, fitted a new valve/tap, connected the hose, turned the water back on and all was OK. Total time no more than 15 minutes. I offered to pay them there and then but they said they would bill me.

I received the bill today £48.50 + VAT, total £55.00 for parts & labour.

Is this reasonable for such a small job?

Don't get me wrong, I am quite prepared to pay a reasonable price for a reasonable job - everyone has to earn a living, but is this an acceptable price? I was quite surprised, but perhaps I am out of touch.

Foreversummer

whu

IMO that is a reasonable price

MX5huggy

That is a good price for such excellent service.

withabix

What were you expecting? 'Give us a twenty luv'?

Very reasonable price.

Many tradesmen start at £100

andyhop

I would have charged the same,Smalls job have to carry a premium as travelling times are generally more than the job takes

foreversummer

Thanks for your replies. Feel better now knowing that this is the going rate.

withabix wrote: »

What were you expecting? 'Give us a twenty luv'?

Very reasonable price.

Many tradesmen start at £100

I see what you are saying, its just that it takes me many hours to earn the kind of money. But if that is considered a fair rate then I will of course accept it. I agree the service was good in that they came out to me very quickly.

Foreversummer

Clive_Woody

foreversummer wrote: »

Hi

This is not so much a quote, but just a plumbing job that I needed done yesterday.

At 5 pm last evening I phoned a local plumber because my washing machine cold tap was shot. I had changed the hose to find that I could not turn it completely off not could I turn it on enough to run my washing machine.

He told me he would be with me shortly and turned up at about 5.45pm. Two guys turned up. They turned the water off at the mains, fitted a new valve/tap, connected the hose, turned the water back on and all was OK. Total time no more than 15 minutes. I offered to pay them there and then but they said they would bill me.

I received the bill today £48.50 + VAT, total £55.00 for parts & labour.

Is this reasonable for such a small job?

Don't get me wrong, I am quite prepared to pay a reasonable price for a reasonable job - everyone has to earn a living, but is this an acceptable price? I was quite surprised, but perhaps I am out of touch.

Foreversummer

Sadly yes, plumbers enjoy ripping off the general public and taking advantage of people in unfortunate circunstances. They will bang on with endless excuses of how much they have to spend on tools, insurance, driving time and running their vans, but at the end of the day they are simply after your money.

They are a close knit bunch and will always back each other up no matter how ridiculous their charges. That much for a 15 minutes job is beyond a joke, they make our politicians look honest and hardworking.

withabix

Clive_Woody wrote: »

Sadly yes, plumbers enjoy ripping off the general public and taking advantage of people in unfortunate circunstances. They will bang on with endless excuses of how much they have to spend on tools, insurance, driving time and running their vans, but at the end of the day they are simply after your money.

They are a close knit bunch and will always back each other up no matter how ridiculous their charges. That much for a 15 minutes job is beyond a joke, they make our politicians look honest and hardworking.

Oh look...an alien!

(Well, he's definitely from another planet anyway!)

How much would YOU do the job for then???

Daniels_locksmiths

It all seems fair to me,
£48.50 inc parts = say parts are £8.50
£40.00 divide by 2 men = £15 each
£10 for van/fuel and some profit for the company. ?

Ivrytwr3

a lot of companies charge a set call out fee WITHOUT even looking/repairing the job.

I agree it is a lot money for 15mins work, but i agree it is a good price compared to what other companies could have charged you.

Clive_Woody

withabix wrote: »

Oh look...an alien!

(Well, he's definitely from another planet anyway!)

How much would YOU do the job for then???

Oh look, what a surprise...an angry plumber!


Bad me, how dare I point out the obvious that plumbers are taking the mickey with their charges.