Overcharging to tighten nut?
9:23 AM, 27th September 2016, 10 years ago
34
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I asked a plumber I have used before to check a leaking radiator at my tenants house as soon as he could. Four days later he turned up, tightened the valve connection and left, 2 minutes maximum my tenant tells me.
I have now received his invoice for £90 to “tighten a nut”. Should I swallow this charge, send him £50 and tell him to sue me for the rest or any other advice?
Seems extortionate to me.
Martin
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Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 18
3:13 PM, 5th October 2016, About 10 years ago
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 139
3:14 PM, 5th October 2016, About 10 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “sam ” at “05/10/2016 – 13:03“:
For a skilled, guaranteed, legitimate, full time, quoted, invoiced, self-employed, one-off, one day job, I would happily pay £350 – £400. (and I’m up north)
For lower skilled, labouring I would want to pay a minimum £150 to get a good days work done.
For bulk work, regular work, a mix of skilled and low-skilled, and being a good payer there’s margins in it for them to cut rates. If you think rates are too low offer them more or a performance bonus. You’ll start finding, the phone gets answered, jobs get done, on time, to a high standard and your stress levels dropping.
I’m self employed myself, and I’m quite handy “on the tools”. So when I can find the time I’ll tackle jobs myself, but not if I’m losing out on two days work rather than pay for skilled tradesman’s for one day.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 205
10:40 PM, 5th October 2016, About 10 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Andy Bell” at “05/10/2016 – 15:14“:
Wow Andy.
That’s £50/hr. U must b rich. Do let me know if ever u r short of a tradesman or 2. I hv lots of them who will bite my hands off for d opportunity to work for u. I m sure they won’t mind travel up to u from Birmingham n pay me 30% for d privilege.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 139
1:50 PM, 6th October 2016, About 10 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “sam ” at “05/10/2016 – 22:40“:
No I’m not rich. And neither are the tradesmen. If they are legitimate professionals there are a lot of expenses, vat and un-billable hours that takes a huge chunk out of that.
It seems that most folks want a top class professional service at black market rates.