Plumber overcharging for parts?

bigmun

Hi everyone,

Last week, we had a plumber in to install a new toilet suite in our new home. In the original quote, the costs of parts shows £600 + labour. The plumber said he'd get it from B&Q. Now, the installation is complete, but it didn't look like something that would be worth £600 to us. So we headed out to B&Q and we found the exact toilet suite selling for only £220.

Is this a breach of consumer laws? I'll ask him for a detailed breakdown of costs, but I can't imagine how there could be £400 worth of hidden parts. If it's an unlawful act, could I ask for loss and punitive damages before proceeding to seek legal assistance?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

captainhindsight_2

Blimey is making a profit On supplying and collecting materials a breach of consumer laws???

This has got to be a joke.

bigmun

captainhindsight wrote: »

Blimey is making a profit On supplying and collecting materials a breach of consumer laws???

This has got to be a joke.

But that's just cost of *parts*. Supplying and collecting should fall under labour.

MX5huggy

No, there is no case, he told you the price, told you what you were getting, fitted what he said he would, then charged you the price he quoted. He can put whatever markup he likes on parts.

Next time do your research before agreeing the price.

We live in a capitalist country.

Seronera

Just discuss it with him and agree a compromise.Talk of going legal is silly stuff and you will both end up unhappy. You must accept that there will be an uplift on parts costs to cover breakages,cost of collection and profit..which is not a dirty word,but I would have thought a 25% uplift is generous and adequate and which you should accept.

Also....has he done a decent job? If so he may be worth the money.Some people pay that much for awful work. If you received a quote and agreed it then you have entered a contract,and he is at liberty to enforce it. However if you are reasonable in your attitude then the chances are you may well get a discount.

captainhindsight_2

bigmun wrote: »

But that's just cost of *parts*. Supplying and collecting should fall under labour.

No, it is what he charges for parts, and you accepted.

By your logic you expect b and q to list the price of the toilet to them then when you get to the counter they add packaging, delivery, storage costs, labor costs etc :rotfl:

casper_g

In future, if you only want to pay cost price for the parts you could consider buying them yourself and just paying someone to install them. Of course, that has its own pitfalls: if there's a problem down the road it may not be obvious whether it is caused by defects in the parts used or the workmanship. That said the saving could be worth it.

The best of both worlds is probably to research what you want first and discuss it with your installer. If he knows you know the price of the parts he may charge closer to cost for them, though the total cost of the job will probably be similar - just weighted more transparently towards the labour side!

sinizterguy

Do you normally
- Go to a supermarket
- Buy product
- Contact the wholesaler or the product directly, realising they sell it for cheaper
- Complain that the supermarket ripped you off and whether they are in breach of 'consumer law' ?

Gordon_Hose

Do it yourself next time, you have the choice.

wealdroam

bigmun wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Last week, we had a plumber in to install a new toilet suite in our new home. In the original quote, the costs of parts shows £600 + labour. The plumber said he'd get it from B&Q. Now, the installation is complete, but it didn't look like something that would be worth £600 to us. So we headed out to B&Q and we found the exact toilet suite selling for only £220.

Is this a breach of consumer laws? I'll ask him for a detailed breakdown of costs, but I can't imagine how there could be £400 worth of hidden parts. If it's an unlawful act, could I ask for loss and punitive damages before proceeding to seek legal assistance?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Punitive damages?

Where do you live? US of A?

You've got things in the wrong order... seek legal assistance before you ask for punitive damages.

Better_Days

I think there is fault on both sides here.

OP should have checked with plumber exactly what he would be installing, but I do also think the mark-up is excessive, and certainly beyond what I would reasonably expect.

OP, discuss with your plumber to see if you can come to a compromise.