Plumbers Rates

Rebelpenguin

Admittedly it has been a while since I needed a plumber. I have had a few little jobs sitting around a toilet cistern running on, a sink with a plug needing to be fitted, a new tap etc. After a leak in the kitchen from the bathroom upstairs, I needed to bite the bullet and get someone in.

After getting in touch with two separate plumbers. They said I would probably be better off if they gave me their half day rates. Both of the have quoted £350 for a half day and if runs it to a day their days rates are obviously double that at £700. I live in Leeds. This seems astronomical, thus doesn’t include any items needed to fix anything just them turning up.

It seems to be double what check a trade website etc seem to say is the going rate.

Do I need to get more quotes or is this realistically what plumbers are paid.

Many thanks to anyone who has a bit more knowledge than me.

mebu60

Are these quotes from local independent one man band plumbers or a firm?

elsien

sibling lives in Leeds. Didn’t pay anywhere near that for a call out for a blocked pipe.
But if you have a number of little jobs that are going to add the time up to a decent amount, then yes, it is going to be more. It isn’t going to be them just turning it up. It’s going to be them turning up and doing what needs doing for half a day. For example, if you already have the tap then there shouldn’t be any extra materials needed to fit it. Just the time.

Rebelpenguin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81925405#Comment_81925405

They are both independent.
Thanks for replying.

Rebelpenguin

When I said just turning up. I meant it was just them, no materials.
It is a bit inaccessible for me at the moment.

elsien

You maybe also need to check what the callout covers if you decide to just have a couple of jobs done for now. And check whether it includes VAT or not.

The fixed quote for fitting my kitchen tap was £84 with me buying the tap. I did consider doing it myself with the aid of YouTube but it was so old and it was a !!!!!! to get off and I was really glad I paid someone else in the end.
More recently I had a central heating leak - the callout fee was £70 but once they had found the leak, it was a really quick repair so I didn’t get charged any extra on top of the callout.
Maybe some of it is around asking more questions about what exactly is covered.
Do you know anyone who could recommend someone?

it is always worth getting more quotes. And if they are comparatively small jobs with a handyman who knows what they’re doing, be able to do the same job as a qualified Plumber?

Rebelpenguin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81925762#Comment_81925762

Thanks for replying. Maybe DIY is the answer? I will look at handymen too and split the jobs down.
Failing that I might just go to college and learn to be a plumber, might take a few years but £14k a month, one day would be a dream.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81925886#Comment_81925886

I tend to see these types of quotes as an opening shot and usually ( not always) are subject to negotiation.

You could say you have asked a friend and it does not seem like these jobs will take half a day.

So you can pay £200 ( including VAT ) for up to say 2.5 hours ' which is what seems more reasonable by asking around. They might just say no and then again they might not.

Rebelpenguin

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81926568#Comment_81926568

Thank you. That is really helpful.

plumb1_2

You’re being ripped off at £350 for half a day, but I suspect you’re being charged a full day rate. As if they don’t have any other work booked in for the rest of the day then it’s you who is going to pay for a full day.

And with any tradesman aren’t gonna give you a low quote without seeing the work involved, how long is string.

Ask a handyman to give you a fixed price

marcia_

I used a one man band local plumber who was recommended on the next door website in my local area.
I needed a tap changing and plumbing extended from my downstairs loo to the garage to put the washing machine in there. I was charged £200 for both in the north west.