Price to fill in cat flap & move rad

MrsE_2 · 12 January 2013 at 2:07PM

I want to move a rad around the corner, presently the pipework comes down the corner & feeds the rad that butts up to it.

I want to keep the pipework coming down the wall, but divert it to the other wall, again butting up against the pipework.

So it will involve a bit of pipework near the junction & of course draining the system to do the work.

I have been quoted £180 for this.

There is a cat flap on the wall where I want the new rad to go, it needs a bit of brickwork from the outside, I have the bricks & a frame & plasterboard from the inside, doesn't need anything else as rad will cover. The plumber quoted £100 for this. This seems very steep to me?
Do you think I could get it cheaper, I live in Surrey.

Avoriaz · 12 January 2013 at 2:42PM

MrsE wrote: »

..There is a cat flap on the wall where I want the new rad to go, it needs a bit of brickwork from the outside, I have the bricks & a frame & plasterboard from the inside, doesn't need anything else as rad will cover. The plumber quoted £100 for this. This seems very steep to me?
Do you think I could get it cheaper, I live in Surrey.

It seems a bit steep.

If I still lived in Surrey I would do that for you for a few bottles of wine. Unfortunately I'm now in West Sussex.

Try finding a local handyman with a good reputation. It is probably too small a job to interest a bricky or general builder etc.

Whoever does it, try to get them to do as neat a job as possible on the exterior brickwork, even though it probably won't be that noticeable.

Also put some insulation in the cavity and make sure that no damp bridge is created with sloppy work etc.

PS: Have you recently lost your cat or was the flap an old one? Commiserations if you have lost one. We had to have Misty put to sleep last week. Old age got to her at 19. Her sister was put to sleep last year.

keystone · 12 January 2013 at 2:54PM

MrsE wrote: »

I have been quoted £180 for this.

May be a bit heavy but probably not a million miles off.

The plumber quoted £100 for this. This seems very steep to me?
Do you think I could get it cheaper, I live in Surrey.

Perhaps he didn't want to do that bit or knows its at the limit of his experience so been careful in giving you a price that gets him something even if it goes wrong on him. I'd say it was probably double what it should be. Its really a very small job.

I'll do the whole job for you for £275 if you only think its a bit steep.

Cheers

keystone · 12 January 2013 at 2:55PM

Avoriaz wrote: »

Also put some insulation in the cavity and make sure that no damp bridge is created with sloppy work etc.

How do you know she has a cavity?

Cheers

MrsE_2 · 12 January 2013 at 3:46PM

keystone wrote: »

How do you know she has a cavity?

Cheers

I have a caviety

MrsE_2 · 12 January 2013 at 3:48PM

keystone wrote: »

May be a bit heavy but probably not a million miles off.

Perhaps he didn't want to do that bit or knows its at the limit of his experience so been careful in giving you a price that gets him something even if it goes wrong on him. I'd say it was probably double what it should be. Its really a very small job.

I'll do the whole job for you for £275 if you only think its a bit steep.

Cheers

I thought the £180 was ok for the rad, but I did think £100 to fill in catflap was a lot.

I asked him about relocating 2 rads downstairs by moving pipework in the ceiling, its all under the floor boards upstairs. Its a few meters of pipework, but its all doable from one bedroom upstairs so they are not being moved far, a couple of feet each. He said it would take him 2 or 3 days:eek:

Avoriaz · 12 January 2013 at 4:57PM

keystone wrote: »

How do you know she has a cavity?

Cheers

MrsE and I are old friends on MSE. We used to live near to each other and I know her house.

keystone · 12 January 2013 at 5:25PM

MrsE wrote: »

I thought the £180 was ok for the rad, but I did think £100 to fill in catflap was a lot.

In all seriousness it is.

I asked him about relocating 2 rads downstairs by moving pipework in the ceiling, its all under the floor boards upstairs. Its a few meters of pipework, but its all doable from one bedroom upstairs so they are not being moved far, a couple of feet each. He said it would take him 2 or 3 days:eek:

Well provided he doesn't have to hoof furniture about or lift carpets if then allowing for draining and refilling (which he's had to include for the kitchen rad) it really shouldn't take more than a day. For a couple of feet each rather than a new drop down from above it might just be easier and less obtrusive visually to extend the pipework at floor level downstairs.

The price for the catflap and the time estimate for the other two rads suggests he's rather slow tbh.

Cheers