£144 per hour for non emergency plumber

£144 per hour for non emergency plumber

Author
Discussion

mangos

Original Poster:

2,952 posts

180 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
Is this the norm now or wondering if they are trying it on.

Just been asked to pay 1.5 hours at £144 per hour for a non emergency call out where the guy turned up with his son and didn’t actually do anything as they didn’t have the equipment needed.

The company have tried to take the money from my card and just text me to say it didn’t go through and asked me to call up to pay it.

They were a recommended company which I haven’t used before.

Edited by mangos on Wednesday 6th June 11:41

eybic

9,212 posts

173 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
Some of that will be a callout fee too.

Shuvi McTupya

24,460 posts

246 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
It doesn't sound normal to me!

Especially if he didn't bloody do anything. I trust you told him to do one?


Zoon

6,654 posts

120 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
I'd be telling him to sling his hook.

mangos

Original Poster:

2,952 posts

180 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
He was hired to do leak detection and quote for a new boiler.

He turned up and used a moisture meter on my walls and told me I had damp issues.

I explained my thoughts that the leak was coming from a bend in the central heating pipe work above and he told me it wasnt.

He didn’t test it or check it, just used a moisture meter and recommended a damp specialist he knew.

I expected him to have a sound detector.

This all took about 10 minutes. He then spent the next hour and a half going around whispering to his son about capillary action and quoting for new boiler.

Quote came through next day at £3200+vat for an ideantical replacement of a combi.

I’ve already paid the call out fee as they wanted that up front so they’ve had £45 off me which is fair for the 10 minutes of learning he had no idea.

Saleen836

11,061 posts

208 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
Sounds like they are trying to charge you for 2 people attending, ask them for a breakdown of the parts and labour of work that was carried out wink

mangos

Original Poster:

2,952 posts

180 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
I did and was told his hourly rate was £145 🤔


eybic

9,212 posts

173 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
Maybe ask how long it would take to quote for a new boiler, surely the quote is free? Then mention that most of the time was spent preparing the quote which you shouldn't have to pay for.

mangos

Original Poster:

2,952 posts

180 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
I did and was told his hourly rate was £145 🤔


928

221 posts

176 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
London?

I trust you won't be taking him up on the quote? Sounds expensive and with that initial attitude I'd look elsewhere. Sounds like British Gas pricing.

mickk

28,769 posts

241 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
Pimlico?

Maxf

8,402 posts

240 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
I just paid £103 for an emergency plumber (found one who could attend after trying 5 companies), they then charged an extra £20 for parts, which were probably 50p of pipe and a cap, but sounds like I didnt do too badly! This was SE London.

mangos

Original Poster:

2,952 posts

180 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
I’m in Hertfordshire.
Not Pimlico plumbers but independent company.

Can’t see how they stay in business with quotes or hourly rates like it.

I’ve spoken to a few retired plumbers who suggest a max of £80 per hour for emergency call out (which this wasn’t) so no idea how they can charge near double that

eybic

9,212 posts

173 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
Did they not tell you what his hourly rate was prior to him coming out? If not, surely that's your "get out"

mangos

Original Poster:

2,952 posts

180 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
No word of it.

I either made an assumption that the £45 initial payment taken was based on an hour or they told me that.


I’m feeling pretty stupid and like I’ve been taken for a mug.

I thought I was wise to this but was too trusting


bobtail4x4

3,701 posts

108 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
I called a plumber out a couple of years ago, he changed a kitchen mixer tap, fitted an outside tap, and charged me £20,it took him under an hour,

ok materials were provided by me.

Dicky Knee

1,026 posts

130 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
I'd want legal and tax advice thrown in as well for £145 an hour.

Sir Bagalot

6,463 posts

180 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
You called them out to find a leak. They didn't have the tools or skills to find that leak. (BTW did you find the leak later?).

For me I'd politely decline to pay the invoice pointing out they didn't have the tools or skillset to find the reported leak and that you're not chasing them for a refund of the £45 callout fee because you CBA for £45, hoever if you hear from them again you will

fido

16,752 posts

254 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
My expensive SW London based plumbers are £115 per hour (including VAT) - always happy with their service but that's the top end. £145 does seem rather extortionate - I would want that in writing beforehand.

Andehh

7,107 posts

205 months

Wednesday 6th June 2018
quotequote all
Sir Bagalot said:
You called them out to find a leak. They didn't have the tools or skills to find that leak. (BTW did you find the leak later?).

For me I'd politely decline to pay the invoice pointing out they didn't have the tools or skillset to find the reported leak and that you're not chasing them for a refund of the £45 callout fee because you CBA for £45, hoever if you hear from them again you will
I'd go with this. I'd refuse based on it was a one man job, no tools, spent limited time, and they spent the majority of the time quoting for boiler etc. Which is also wildly overpriced.