How bad is this overcharging for materials to elderly mother

southcoastrgi

There are a great deal of cost difference between things that look the same, unless you can find out the make & model of the taps & sink you can't get an exact comparison, you can't buy a kitchen sink tap for £14 unless they are single taps & the cheapest you can buy, also if he removed 3m2 of grout this can be very labour intensive, but that being said neither of those jobs add upto 2 days work

Mr.Generous

The answer is to query the bill and as stated ask for a detailed breakdown of materials. Even if he refuses he will be careful in future.

Oh and I never overcharge the elderly or anyone else, but I do make a mark up on any materials supplied. I'll try and explain (or justify); I have to choose them, collect them, transport them and if they are faulty or unsuitable its my responsibility too. I also supply things like sealant, grout, fixings, screws, plugs, tape, cable, clips, tap tails, paint, and consumables like soldering gas, flux, grommets, earth clamps - all sorts of things that I have to buy and have available.

I probably get them cheaper than most of my customers could and have a better idea what is required, I don't invoice for every single thing, and the tools I use have to be purchased and wear out. I have to buy ladders, extension leads, safety kit and a vehicle too So its not just labor when I quote or bill a job. If your doing it out the kindness of your soul its different, for me its making a living.

As a rough guide if the materials cost £75 for a job I'd probably be looking to charge at least £100. I waste my time and fuel doing all the running around and my expertise choosing them. I am always happy to fit and install stuff someone else has purchased, when a customer gets the stuff themselves its no problem for me. Something wrong? Customer rushes back to shop or I offer to supply alternative. I'm not trying to defend your builder, I don't know what he had to buy, but neither do you until you get an itemised bill. As for the 2 days labor ask for a breakdown on that too if your not happy. He probably called round to quote, went and bought sink and taps, new waste & overflow, new trap, tap tails or flexi connectors or whatever he used. He then loaded tools, traveled to the job, removed and disposed of the old stuff and fitted the new. How long was he in her house each day?

I have seen customers get ripped off btw, a landscaper was working for someone while we fitted a kitchen and he dropped his kids at school before work and picked them up after he finished his 'half nine until three' days work. He did the job in three days and invoiced for four at £200 per day, I know it goes on.

leveller2911

AnnieQ wrote: »

Watching my mother's experience with tradesmen, however, they have exploited this widow living on her own more times than they have not.

If that is actually true then why didn't you check the quotes?. If my mother had been "ripped off" by tradesmen numerous times then I would have made it my business to stop it happening again, even if I lived 300 miles away.

Thats why I have been upset that one my mum has relied on for so long lied to her face and about taking a cut and overcharged her so significantly.

People are "overcharged" across the nation on a daily basis .

Look at the housing market where an investor on a TV programme buys a property and spends £2,000 "doing it up" and then sells it 3 months later and pockets £40,000 in profit.

People see that as being fine but the reality is they spent next to no money but made a huge profit for little work. How many homeowners sell their houses and make £10,000's of profit for doing next to no work for that money.

Always get at least 3 quotes.

What is a "fair" price?.