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Been quoted £500 to remove blocked downpipe and fit new one

4 replies

whataboutbob · 21/04/2016 10:02

My dad's home (which i am responsible for as he is ill and I am his power of attorney) has developed a leak at the bottom of the front downpipe (which is encase in concrete about 1m away from the front of the house. I've been ringing roofing companies and most can't come round for 4 months (not much good!). One guy can told me the pipe is likely to be blocked, he can come round next week when I'll be at the house, but wants £500. For that he will remove old one and fit new one, and fit a kind of filter at the top which will prevent a recurrence of the problem.Is he taking the mickey? Should I just pay up, as this is obviously something that needs sorting soon? I have no idea what the price should be.
Many thanks.

OP posts:

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peggyundercrackers · 21/04/2016 10:09

is he breaking the old pipe out of the concrete to fit a new one? the leafguard he wants to fit on the top costs at most a few pounds - google downpipe leaf guard to get an idea of a cost of this.

even if he is breaking the old pipe out the concrete and renewing then refilling with concrete it seems a lot of money.

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badaboom · 21/04/2016 16:58

The roofers must be a highly demand job as they tend to be booked up. Around here it'll be until Aug/Sept unless you have made a booking. And then there are some of that'll ask your address and do a google earth map view of your property to see if it's worth the job.

I personally would wait and get another quote or two. Even if the job will be in 4 months time, I'd be cheeky and ask them for a quote so I'll have an idea as to how much the job will cost. Providing there's no call out fee for quotes.

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OnePlanOnHouzz · 21/04/2016 18:13

Did he wear a big Stetson hat and arrive on a horse ?!

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whataboutbob · 21/04/2016 20:35

Hmmm. He would be removing the old pipe, fixing any problems with water around the base, putting a new one up and adding the leaf guard. i have actually agreed to this as 1) I am worried it will undermine the foundations and not sure i can wait a few months. I rang round another 2 roofers nad both were booked up for 2-4 months 2) I ran this price past one of the roofers who's all booked up and he said he thought it was high-ish but not outrageous.