£140 to replace inside of cistern

Risteard

grumbler said:

Risteard said:

macman said:

Was this a scheduled call out or an emergency job? Ask him why he's charged you for 2 hours plus if it was a maximum  90 mins.

Why? 90 minutes is more than an hour, so at a minimum would be charged as two.

Why just 2, not 3? Half-a-day? Full day?

If you mean the travel time, add it explicitly instead of vaguely rounding up.

That's why I stated "at a minimum..." because it's quite likely that a half-day minimum would be charged, and sometimes a full day.

Where contractors do charge by the hour (generally with an inflated first hour fee) it is charged per hour or part thereof. So 1 1/2 hours would, even then, be charged as two.

diystarter7

Doozergirl said:

I run a company and I wouldn't
be able to get anyone to do anything for less than a half day rate.  

Even in London and I'm not sure where you are, we can get it a lot cheaper than half a day. 

To all seeking works that  are relatively easy/bread and butter work for plumbers.

This is what I do and most of the leaky taps/dripping cistern etc is not emergency work.

I always look out for someone near to our home, often cheaper
I look up reviews
I carefully listen to their tone/attitude on the phone
I tell them what we want to do and if I feel its complex or straightforward.
I often send them pics
I often tell them come anytime as we are at home but then confirm if we get quote day and approx time
We agree on a price unless unforeseen circumstances in vat and odds and minor ends
I offer to pay via bank or cash whatever suits them
I tell them I have the taps/ball valve on site/etc

I also am aware where the water turn off points are and in some never houses they is often a valve

I would NEVER pay half a days work for a like-for-like cistern replacement but always a fixed price 

NB: We had taps changed on a wHB last year - I got taps, 2 taps as its an old bathroom waiting refurb.  Labour prices varied between  200 and 60 quid.  The 60 quid guy was up the road and we had agreed that he would use tails to make it easier as old WHB and the price of these were included.  It took him 50 odd mins - we were both happy with the outcome.

Shop around, look up reviews, try to get a local person and seek free quote or quote over the phone if possible - but be aware at times there could be genuine unforseen circumstances.

Belenus

diystarter7 said:

To all seeking works that  are relatively easy/bread and bitter work for plumbers.

I'm going to use bread and bitter in future too.  

diystarter7

Belenus said:

diystarter7 said:

To all seeking works that  are relatively easy/bread and bitter work for plumbers.

I'm going to use bread and bitter in future too.  

Corrected, thanks!