AIBU?
Not to pay the plumber but strangle him instead??!!!
whatamardarse · 28/05/2013 14:40
The toilet broke, wouldn't flush , all the water drained out of cistern.
I phoned plumber, he came out and started working on it. STUPIDLY I let him continue even though he didnt quote me the bill even though I did ask a few times. He just kept saying " one minute love " 2 week old baby fussing down stairs do I left him to it.
He fitted a new valve/ pump but could t fix lid on for some reason and the tank fill up VERY slowly.
The out side tap now dosnt work but worst of all is the hideous sound like a bloody train shunting in through my bath room constantly. Relentlessly. I have to turn water off to stop it, its banging its arse out now as i have to do the washing.
I called him back out on Friday and he faffed about upstairs come down looking confused said he fixed it and said he would be back this afternoon for payment - £45 .
It wasn't fixed at all.
DH rang him and the plumber had said he has done all he can and will be round later for payment .
We now have another plumber booked for this evening . So paying out to fix the problem the original plumber caused. Can I just tell him to piss off!
GoingUpInTheWorld · 28/05/2013 14:59
£45 is very cheap which tells me he isnt very experienced!
Hes fitted the wrong part on the toilet which is why the top wouldnt shut etc.
You have a 12 month guarantee with a tradesman that carries out work on your property unless it states on the receipt that its a temporary job.
I wouldnt pay him. No way.
whatamardarse · 28/05/2013 15:27
I was thinking the same my self about fitting wrong part. He was in his 60s so didn't think he would be fresh out of plumbing school ( if that what it is)
He just seemed very confused about whole thing tbh but had flashy work van and uniform ??
I'm not gonna open door and save the money for the new plumber if I'm brave enough !!
Having a really shitty week regarding every thing breaking! Iron set on fire.., toilet broke then broke even more, Internet currently being fixed as I type as apparently a DOG has chewed through the outside wire?? Wtf?? Which I will also have to pay for as its not general wear or tear ... I don't own a frickin dog!
GoingUpInTheWorld · 28/05/2013 15:36
Ok, if he didnt know what he was doing, thats not a good sign!
Go off recommendation, google and yell.com reviews etc.
For a decent plumber, the cost will be around £60 for the hours worth of labour and any parts ontop of that.
For 2 hours work, the amount should be around £120 for labour plus however much the part is.
Anything over 2 hours work then get it quoted, dont pay per hour. But usually if the job is less that 3 hours, then it goes on a hourly rate.
Thats how my company works anyway.
Well im abit more expensive as i charge a call out fee, but for sole traders, the above amount sounds about right for a good plumber if its daytime hours, not weekend or evenings.
GoingUpInTheWorld · 28/05/2013 16:00
Im not a plumber, i just own the business with my husband.
But when my husband is back home, i ll show him your thread and see what he thinks it could be, but you never know until a professional as actually looked at it, as you can never diagnose things over the phone.
BackforGood · 28/05/2013 16:19
I don't think the right thing to do would be not to open the door though - you need to tell him clearly (in writing) that you are refusing to pay him because, not only has he not fixed the problem, but he's actually caused another one.
If you just don't answer the door to him then that will put you in the wrong as a non payer, and he will be entitled to take you to court.
MrsBertMacklin · 28/05/2013 16:46
OP if you have another plumber coming in, maybe ask him to diagnose what the first plumber did wrong (or failed to do to make final repairs) and to put this in writing for you when he prepares his invoice? Photos of anything that the first plumber has done poorly as well.
I'd advise not to pay, but to also gather this evidence in case plumber 1 decides to pursue matters.
GoingUpInTheWorld · 28/05/2013 17:25
The original plumber cannot take you to court if you have not signed any paperwork agreeing for the work to be carried out.
I would just ring him up tell him your not happy etc.
I doubt very much he would give you hassle over £45 quid
Get the new plumber to do a report on the job after hes done it.
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