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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think that plumber is overcharging?

111 replies

Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 22:20

Plumber not prepared to give me his daily rate but is prepared to give me a quote for the job.
Cost to remove existing bath, wash hand basin and toilet in ensuite and replace with shower, wash hand basin and toilet.
LABOUR ONLY - £3,000.

AIBU - This quote is fine.
AINBU - He is over charging.

OP posts:
Shade17 · 28/07/2026 23:11

TheClocksFast · 28/07/2026 23:09

Ask him. It’s reasonable to want to know what his hourly rate is. The fact he won’t tell you suggests something possibly underhand to me.

It’s quite normal with trades, you’re paying for a result not the time.

BanditOne · 28/07/2026 23:10

find someone else then or get your husband to do it in 4 days

Hankunamatata · 28/07/2026 23:09

Or he doesnt want the job?

TheClocksFast · 28/07/2026 23:09

Ask him. It’s reasonable to want to know what his hourly rate is. The fact he won’t tell you suggests something possibly underhand to me.

Original poster
Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 23:06

theneighbourstolemyteacup · 28/07/2026 22:54

define reasonable. People want to earn a living.

When they are so busy they can't keep up, offering very high rate is a good technique.

Show quote history

Offering a very high rate is ripping people off isn't it not a good technique?

OP posts:
Cla7 · 28/07/2026 23:03

Why don’t you get 3 quotes rather than asking people who haven’t even seen your bathroom. If you get more quotes then you’ll know what is reasonable, if they’re all around this benchmark then it’s about right, if the other two are much less then it’s an expensive quote.

Meredusoleil · 28/07/2026 23:02

Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 22:55

South East.

Show quote history

That is a good price for labour imho. I am also in the SE (greater London) and am paying £4k for the job. It would have been £450 per day and I was predicted 8 days, but didn't want to risk it running over!

Original poster
Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 23:01

thedogisfine · 28/07/2026 22:29

You’re paying for his expertise and skills.

you need a plumber, he’s a plumber.

What's his expertise and skill worth?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 22:59

35965a · 28/07/2026 22:28

People can charge what they want 🤷‍♀️ you can choose to accept it or find someone else who charges less.

Yes, but what's reasonable?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 22:57

TheClocksFast · 28/07/2026 22:23

How long will it take?

DH reckons 4 days but plumber didn't say.

OP posts:
Funchythesnowwoman · 28/07/2026 22:57

He probably doesn’t need or want the work so has given you an exorbitant price.
I have a friend who has a plumbing company and he has enough work booked in to keep all his men busy for the next 12 months.

Namenamchange · 28/07/2026 22:56

Does it include tilling?

Original poster
Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 22:56

Fontet · 28/07/2026 22:54

Aside from tiling… we paid 6000 for our en-suite to be taken out and refitted. Also the same for our bathroom. Sounds about right to me.

How long did each job take if you don't mind me asking?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 22:55

Meredusoleil · 28/07/2026 22:51

Whereabouts are you based, as that will influence the price?

South East.

OP posts:
theneighbourstolemyteacup · 28/07/2026 22:54

Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 22:52

He could quote £10K but what would be a reasonable amount for the job?

Show quote history

define reasonable. People want to earn a living.

When they are so busy they can't keep up, offering very high rate is a good technique.

Fontet · 28/07/2026 22:54

Aside from tiling… we paid 6000 for our en-suite to be taken out and refitted. Also the same for our bathroom. Sounds about right to me.

Original poster
Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 22:54

TheWeekOnTheDalymountSeat · 28/07/2026 22:35

My husband is a plumber (in the north) and charges around £300 per day for labour. So if that job will take 2 weeks end to end that will be about right. But I’m sure he could have it done in a few days. So yes, shop around

We would be more than happy to pay £300 per day.
DH reckons like you that the job would take about 4 days but even if it took five that's £600 per day!

OP posts:
TheLette · 28/07/2026 22:53

Does it include sealing the new items in? Like are you basically getting a new bathroom except for tiling / painting? If so the price doesn't seem totally wild to me but get other quotes. In London I'd budget £10-15k for a new bathroom including the bathroom items, tiles etc and the labour cost would make up a fair chunk of that. Also if any of the items are moving to a different location that will add to the cost.

Namenamchange · 28/07/2026 22:52

When we had work done in the garden, the quotes were massively different. Each is free to charge whay they like, you can decide if you want to take up the quote.

does it include tiling

Original poster
Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 22:52

theneighbourstolemyteacup · 28/07/2026 22:36

He could quote you £10k if he wanted. As long as he sticks to his quote, you are free to take it or leave it.

Up to you to get several quotes and compare.

I'd rather have a quote for the job than the days frankly.

Show quote history

He could quote £10K but what would be a reasonable amount for the job?

OP posts:
MrsOni · 28/07/2026 22:51

arethereanyleftatall · 28/07/2026 22:45

It would make more sense to get more quotes op than ask people who can’t see your bathroom or know whet workload the entire job entails on the internet.

This. Nobody here can make an informed judgement.

Meredusoleil · 28/07/2026 22:51

Whereabouts are you based, as that will influence the price?

Original poster
Sam9769 · 28/07/2026 22:50

Lumpycat · 28/07/2026 22:28

Sounds a bit high. Does it include waste removal? I know you said labour only! Maybe a week of work? But could be spread over longer if he has to work around tilers and electricians and other trades. Not a terrible price.

It doesn't include waste removal and he doesn't have to work around any other trades.

OP posts:
NotAnotherScarf · 28/07/2026 22:45

I worked for an insurance company and a mate got a bollocking for saying to a customer who wasn't happy with his quote "look mate if the corner shop sells mars bars for a quid but tescos are doing them for 50p, where are you buying mars bars from "...in other words get another quote

arethereanyleftatall · 28/07/2026 22:45

It would make more sense to get more quotes op than ask people who can’t see your bathroom or know whet workload the entire job entails on the internet.