Asking for a materials receipt?

Channah

Hi, we have always used the same local plumber so recently when we couldn't get any hot water, we called him, he came to have look and said 'you just need a new valve, I'll order one'. I know in hindsight I should have asked for a quote first! Anyway, its been fitted and we have just had the bill through the post - £205. I wasn't expecting it to be anywhere near that much. It says £100 for a 22mm zone valve and £70 labour plus VAT. Just searched the valves on google and they seem to be half that price, and for less than half an hour I think the labour charge is pretty high too! Learnt my lesson about asking for a quote but just wondering if it's within your rights to ask for a receipt for the materials after the job has been done? Thanks in advance.

somethingcorporate

Even if he did pay less for it there is nothing in law that means he has to pass it on at cost to you. This is not how businesses work, they add a mark-up to make a profit.

You should have asked for a quote first.

bod1467

And for labour costs, it will likely be charged per hour or part thereof ... in other words in hourly increments. So 1/2 hour will be charged as 1 hour.

And/or ... were you charged for the initial call-out to evaluate the problem? If not then £205 all-in is eminently reasonable.

Timalay

At the end of the day it's supply and demand. The building trade is really hard at moment, so they have to try and make their money from somewhere.
At the end you could got the part yourself, and just paid for the fitting.

Channah

Thanks for the replies, I did say I should have asked for a quote! And no we weren't charged a call out fee, he does only live down the road and in total with the initial call out and the fitting of the valve spent about 45minutes. So he earned at least £120 for that, I must be in the wrong job!

ThumbRemote

Channah wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I did say I should have asked for a quote! And no we weren't charged a call out fee, he does only live down the road and in total with the initial call out and the fitting of the valve spent about 45minutes. So he earned at least £120 for that, I must be in the wrong job!

I assume you've taken into account his overheads - van, phone, tools, fuel costs, etc. Plus his national insurance contributions. And the fact that he almost certainly isn't working every minute of every day, hence the fact he was able to come out to you.

Channah

They are actually very busy, took them two weeks to get to us. And I didnt realise I had to contribute towards those things, just the service I was receiving. Never mind, lesson learned.

timbstoke

It sounds like you've been given a materials receipt, and it says £100 for a valve. The fact that you can get one cheaper elsewhere is irrelevant.

Channah

That is his invoice to us, I was asking if we could ask for the actual receipt as I thought tradesmen would get parts cheaper if anything, not double the price of every website I have found.

Channah

When he came to do the job I asked how much it would be and he said 'I will check the price of the part and send you an invoice'. I didnt expect him to then double that price.

thespiderspeed

Channah wrote: »

That is his invoice to us, I was asking if we could ask for the actual receipt as I thought tradesmen would get parts cheaper if anything, not double the price of every website I have found.

Won't the plumber need the receipt for his tax records? I remember when my dad was self employed he had to keep receipts for everything.