Price much higher than expected - guttering

song_of_calliope

Hi, I got a quote to have a small part of my guttering replaced for £60. When the trader came to do the work it turned out that instead of a problem with the guttering as I had thought it was the downspout that was blocked by a tree root. So instead of replacing part of the guttering he cut the downspout and extended it so it would drain away from the house, fastening it to a fence. He did a good job I think.

I also asked him to clean the gutters but I stupidly didn't ask for a quote for this or for a revised quote for the other work.

The house is a three story semi so the gutters are high up. He is now asking £220 total for the work which seems very high. Is this reasonable? If not what can I do? Yes I know I was daft not to ask for a revised quote so please be gentle! Thank you.

Furts

It would need a photo posted for a definitive answer but the scenario; "I think a tree root has blocked my downpipe" sounds unusual. Then add to this "OK I will chop off the downpipe and drain via a fence" is even more unusual. For example, what happens when the fence moves, or needs replacing, or loosens over time. Such an action would never receive an approval from any building professional.

Add to this, if you are saying a tree root has blocked a drain then you have not resolved this. You have just bodged up an alternative answer.

All this makes me wonder what sort of trader you engaged? Perhaps one operating from a Ford Transit pick up truck with no sign writing, and with with no business address?

A job should be at a fair and reasonable price if no price has been agreed in advance. Only you know what work was involved, what time was taken and whether £220 is fair. However your personal safety and the safety of your home may be worth paying out £220 and regarding this as a lesson learnt.

casper_g

At the end of the day you don't get much for £220. The original quote might have covered cleaning the gutters if access was straightforward, but not much more.

"Fixing" a blocked drain by redirecting the water to run off to the garden seems like a bit of a bodge though. Are you confident the water from the downpipe won't now cause problems with waterlogging etc. in the garden?

song_of_calliope

Thanks very much for the responses. Yes it's a bodge which is why I'm so surprised at the price. I did make sure the pipe extends about 6feet from the foundation of the house and I will probably put a simple berm in myself to further direct the water away. The guy who did it is supposedly reputable with a real company, web site, etc.

I think I will chalk it up to experience and just pay. After all he knows where I live and what hours I'm out of the house.

27col

Like the man said. You don't get much for £220.