Plumber wants 60% deposit upfront

LostGeek

I have had 2 levels of quote for a new boiler (in a new position ) in my kitchen plus removal of an old fire and back boiler. The first set of prices are from British Gas and another Worcester Bosch approved supplier. Both of whom would not require any or significant payment in advance (and I'd be happy to pay the BG deposit anyway as I trust them). Price is around £4.3k.

The second tier of quotes are from local traders. Their quotes are for mostly for an Ariston boiler but also include moving my sink, new outdoor tap, installing a stop !!!! and moving the location of my washing machine. They come in between £3.2k and £3.9k (the bigger price being for a WB boiler). I'd like to go with the £3.9k quote as the guy seems really helpful. But he want's £2400 for materials upfront because he was let down by a customer in the past. Is this reasonable? I have had 2 big jobs done in the house this year by a builder and by an electrician, neither of whom wanted a penny upfront. Also, the boiler is a WB Classic 42 which I think is £1400. Can the other materials - presumably just pipes and the filter for the boiler really amount to £1k? I guess I'm being a bit tight not wanting to pay BG £4.3k and then still find £1.7k for the plumbing works (which the other 'no-deposit' person quoted).

I did chat this through with the guy on the phone. He said he could take payment by bank transfer and would come round and sign a receipt. Is this enough protection?

Doozergirl

"Sign a receipt"

Is this guy running a business?! He needs to invoice like a grown up running a business with legal responsibilities should do!

If you ask whoever quoted on the Ariston or whatever to quote on a WB for you, I'm sure they will.

I'm not against the idea of paying for something like the boiler up front, but there is the simple fact that you don't know him either and trust has to be mutual. I think his request is too high - higher than raw materials and the idea of a 'receipt' laughable.

42Cdi is a big boiler! Big house?

redmalc

We had a similar issue last year and what I did to compromise was to go with the plumber to the merchant and I actually paid for the materials and stored them in my garage.
It worked out quite well because I agreed to share his discount with him which saved me £200.
It might work but if he does not agree to that he must be ripping you off on the materials

robotrobo

LostGeek wrote: »

I have had 2 levels of quote for a new boiler (in a new position ) in my kitchen plus removal of an old fire and back boiler. The first set of prices are from British Gas and another Worcester Bosch approved supplier. Both of whom would not require any or significant payment in advance (and I'd be happy to pay the BG deposit anyway as I trust them). Price is around £4.3k.

The second tier of quotes are from local traders. Their quotes are for mostly for an Ariston boiler but also include moving my sink, new outdoor tap, installing a stop !!!! and moving the location of my washing machine. They come in between £3.2k and £3.9k (the bigger price being for a WB boiler). I'd like to go with the £3.9k quote as the guy seems really helpful. But he want's £2400 for materials upfront

because he was let down by a customer in the past. Is this reasonable? I have had 2 big jobs done in the house this year by a builder and by an electrician, neither of whom wanted a penny upfront. Also, the boiler is a WB Classic 42 which I think is £1400. Can the other materials - presumably just pipes and the filter for the boiler really amount to £1k? I guess I'm being a bit tight not wanting to pay BG £4.3k and then still find £1.7k for the plumbing works (which the other 'no-deposit' person quoted).

I did chat this through with the guy on the phone. He said he could take payment by bank transfer and would come round and sign a receipt. Is this enough protection?

If he has had problems with other customers , that tells a story , or a warning to you.
If i was unsure about him !, i would do like post 3 & go & buy it with him & take it home to store,

Horizon81

It's not uncommon. Some will ask for the money on day 1 of the job when they turn up at your house with the new boiler. It's equally not uncommon to ask for cash so they can buy the parts with that. Helps keep their official turnover low, for tax purposes etc.

brightontraveller

Personally I would expect any Gas fitter to be 1-2 k cheaper than British Gas like for like, I’d get other quotes BG a no where near competitive and if the other installer fitting WB is near there price neither are they???? (I wouldn’t mention you had British Gas give a quote)

Problem of supplying materials i.e. boiler if they are or become faulty its easily argued its down to you not them? Because they are simply the fitter not supplier of goods? Monies upfront? If they insist on payment upfront the normal compromise would be *Cleared Funds Payment in full for materials when they get to site (Before they are opened etc they can be returned if you don’t pay they may still incur re stocking / return fee but its normally not such a big hit as giving away a boiler so to speak)

I’d go with materials on site full payment for them or Pay Engineer by credit card (not debit) if you must give them the monies upfront,,,

Reference a receipt /invoice etc for monies etc assuming that there not an out and out conman? If they go bust??? Yes you have a bit of paper but chances are other creditors will get priority so to all intent worthless,,, Credit card protects you monies far more regardless,,,,

But having said that the luxury of security ,not being ripped off ,them having to pay Tax Vat etc on every job does come at an increased value most of the time

kaya

I don't agree with this at all but would suggest that he points you to the suppliers and you pay personally for the materials directly to be delivered, that way you are guaranteed to get them and he doesn't have to pay out of his pocket (or cream profit off of the top of the materials purchase) but I would certainly not pay him any money up front , how do you know he won't shaft you ? Not exactly a professional tradesmen in my opinion

southcoastrgi

If he's spec'd an Ariston I wouldn't give him the job let alone any money

stator

You need to pay by Credit Card to get protection.
Check he has a properly registered company.

How about he tells you what he needs and you order it and pay for it to be delivered to your house.

LostGeek

Thank you. The house isn't really big - 88.5 square metres. Is this WB 42 boiler too big - one bathroom but we may get a shower room one day?

I'm suspicious because he has followed up on his quote with a text which no one else has done. So it smacks of him being desperate for work. But then I've been tearing my hair out at tradesmen who don't communicate well so maybe I'm never happy. He has a liveried van, lists his home address on his website and says he doesn't want a bad name.

Horizon81

Is he on the gas safe register? You can check that out easily enough.

A good boiler fitter (i hate the word engineer for this ilk) should be pretty busy and not start so soon.

As for the 42kW boiler - it's huge and only required if you either have tens of radiators or many bathrooms/kitchens all requiring hot water at once.

Is this guy quoting for the worcester or Ariston?