Overcharging to tighten nut?

Overcharging to tighten nut?

9:23 AM, 27th September 2016, About 8 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. nut

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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user_ 8640

15:13 PM, 5th October 2016, About 8 years ago

Obfuscated Data

Andy Bell

15:14 PM, 5th October 2016, About 8 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.

Sam Wong

22:40 PM, 5th October 2016, About 8 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.

Andy Bell

13:50 PM, 6th October 2016, About 8 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.

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