replacing a stopcock query

ih8stress

Just had a plumber fitting some trv's and the handle of the stopcock sheared off when he was switching the water on/off. I know that this is just unfortunate and was probably down to 'wear and tear'.
However, should the plumber accept some responsibility for it? He is asking for £60 to fit a new one in its place.

I must add that I don't think he did it to get more work. I only found out about it the next day when I tried using the stopcock as the water pressure was abit low. (I AM annoyed by the fact that he left me with no way of turning my water off in an emergency AND didn't tell me).

Before anyone asks he was recommended to me as well by a relative.

ormus

no he shouldnt have to pay anything. unless he was negligent, and i cant see that.
60 quid is a bit steep though, when he was already on the job. a tap is only about a fiver.

latecomer

I would expect it to take a plumbre about 10 mins to fit a new one and as Ormus says a new valve isn't much.

ih8stress

Thanks for your reply, ormus

ormus wrote: »

no he shouldnt have to pay anything. unless he was negligent, and i cant see that.

As I said, I think it was just unfortunate, I don't think he was negligent.
60 quid is a bit steep though, when he was already on the job. a tap is only about a fiver.

He wasn't still on the job. I only found out the next day unfortunately (see my second paragraph)

How much would you consider to be a fair price then? He will need to cut a longer hole in the kitchen cupboard as only the top valve/nut thingy is visible.

ih8stress

latecomer wrote: »

I would expect it to take a plumbre about 10 mins to fit a new one and as Ormus says a new valve isn't much.

Thanks for your reply. As I've just asked ormus, how much would you say was a fair price, then?

ormus

i reckon 30 quid would be fair enough.
inc cutting a hole.

latecomer

I'd say up to £40 just to get the job done but if the plumber knows you wont/cant do it he might not be interested in negotiating. In that case you either have to stump up, get someone else in or DIY.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

latecomer wrote: »

I would expect it to take a plumbre about 10 mins to fit a new one

If you are chucking numbers about I would say try three times that amount for a fair ball park figure.

Avoriaz

How much has sheared off?

Is there any of the handle remaining or are you left with just a bit of the spindle?

The handle on an isolating tap valve for my central heating storage tank partially broke years ago but I can still open and close it with mole grips. As I hardly ever use it I didn’t bother replacing it.

You need to be able to turn off a mains stopcock quickly in an emergency but it might just be easier and cheaper to keep some £5 mole grips beside it rather than paying £60 for a new tap.

Changing a stopcock might take more than 10 minutes as the plumber has to turn off the supply in the mains, usually outside under the pavement, and do a bit of draining down.

Or use a pipe freezing kit.

ih8stress

Thanks for the price guides - they sound more realistic to me.

He's supposed to be checking why the thermostat on the water cylinder is taking ages to switch off, so I'll see what he says about a price reduction then.

(Sorry for the delay in replying, having problems with my broadband ......)

ih8stress

Avoriaz wrote: »

How much has sheared off?

Is there any of the handle remaining or are you left with just a bit of the spindle?

It's just the spindle remaining.

The handle on an isolating tap valve for my central heating storage tank partially broke years ago but I can still open and close it with mole grips. As I hardly ever use it I didn’t bother replacing it.

You need to be able to turn off a mains stopcock quickly in an emergency
I know. Which is why I was annoyed that he didn't even tell me about it when it happened
but it might just be easier and cheaper to keep some £5 mole grips beside it rather than paying £60 for a new tap.A good tip, thanks. Though I would be abit worried about damaging it. Would it just be the narrow spindly bit sticking forward that I turned?

Changing a stopcock might take more than 10 minutes as the plumber has to turn off the supply in the mains, usually outside under the pavement, and do a bit of draining down.
He did mention turning off the supply from the street, and cutting a larger hole in the cupboard
Or use a pipe freezing kit.

Thanks for your suggestions.