Is it unreasonable for the plumber to charge?

[CoqAuFanjo]

Plumber fitted the bathroom in November, and the toilet seat has worked loose since then. He is attending to fix it this morning (very busy during week and can't fit it in). Payment terms haven't been discussed. Is it unreasonable for him to do it for free?

Is there any guarantee for the work? If you think it's faulty then fair enough that you should get it fixed for free, but I would have checked before he came (especially on a sunday!)

My DP fits bathrooms and would charge something for this (usually no more than £20 or so, depending on how long it takes to fix), otherwise he knows that he would be called back again and again (this has happened with a previous client, so he learned his lesson!) Obviously, if it was a problem caused by his fit then he would not charge but that would usually come to light a lot sooner.

My DH is and electrician and like Larks has said, he would charge for something like this as otherwise he would get called back again and again and it would be expected for free. He once had to go on an emergency call out to someone's house as their lights weren't working in their living room and they hadn't put any bulbs in! He charged a call out fee for this as it still meant his time, effort and petrol getting there event though it was a silly mistake by the customer.

I'm going to pick splinters out of my arse on this one

Our plumber came to stop a tap dripping (stupid posh taps installed by previous owners) and ended up having to replace the innards - which he charged us for - entirely reasonable, and no worries there.

But then the next day, the taps stopped working entirely - and he didn't charge us for coming out to fix them.

Essentially, if the issue was caused by them they shouldn't charge - but a "wear and tear" issue, I'd expect them to charge for.

Can you not sort the seat yourself? Isn't it just a loose nut?

Not sure why you would need a plumber to tighten up a bog seat...

Can't you do it yourself?

The difference between the OP and you Carpe is the timescale
If when he charges it will be totally fair, the seat was secure when he did the work you can't blame him for your wiggly bum loosening it. ;)

Can you tighten it yourself?
I would expect a plumber to charge for this.

YABU, that doesn't need a plumber to fix it!

This is wear and tear from the sound of it.

If everything was fitted correctly at the time of installation, and it passed your approval (i.e. you paid in full, there's been no discussion of it being an installation or quality of product problem), of course you're likely to get billed for his time.

I'm still a bit surprised that you need a plumber to fix this though. Easy money on a Sunday for him. But certainly not free, or else where does it end? Will you be calling him in another six months if it loosens again?

I really don't think this is a plumbing job. Is it a top-fix seat? Ours is pretty newly installed but an absolute menace for working itself loose/sideways, so you have my sympathy.

YABU not to do this yourself, surely?

Expect to be charged for the call out including travel time.

I honestly think almost anyone could do this job - you, dh, a friend or relative?

You have made an error in not discussing the cost upfront

To come out on a Sunday could be expensive

Is one of the users of the toilet a fattie?

Did you have to pay?

I was wondering why on earth you need a plumber for this! Erm...it's not plumbing!!

The loo seat works itself loose when people are rough on it. Dh regularly has to tighten up ours. If it had been a day or 2 then no charge. In your case, he'd be within his right to charge.