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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I being ripped off ?

201 replies

MamaJules34 · 18/04/2020 10:37

We had a joiner round to give us a quote.

£900 for the following:

To fit two shelves in three cupboards (2 airing cupboards and one cupboard downstairs).

2 poles (clothes poles) in two cupboards.

£900?! Aibu?! That seems extortionate?

OP posts:
Freddiefox · 18/04/2020 13:36

Buy an impact driver, you can then swap for drill bits, screwdriver and hex connectors

cheeseychovolate · 18/04/2020 13:37

Sounds like he was going to rip you off.

IHaveAMagicBean · 18/04/2020 13:40

don't dont use him!

Are you always so dramatic?

Mummyoflittledragon · 18/04/2020 13:43

We had the same with an electrician recently. Got an exorbitant quote. Several things needed doing. I can recall 2 prices. Supply and fit 8 replacement ground spike lights £2100. We didn’t specify the lights so were expecting circa £40 each ie £320 plus a day or two labour depending on how long it would take. Supply and fit replacement new outside light £120 or £150 (I forget). Again light not specified. Just a basic light, which comes on as you go outside.

This guy seemed to need the work as well. It is odd when people price themselves out of the job. We got that done plus several other things and a couple of others yet to complete for about £1800 when the other guy wanted just over £4K.

PinaColadaintheRain · 18/04/2020 13:48

A relation is a carpenter and he always gives high quotes if the job looks annoying and he doesn’t really want to do it. You can always get someone else.

choc71 · 18/04/2020 13:49

Must be something about the number £900, I was recently quoted that to paint my kitchen. Err, I don't think so ........... Never understood why that was more than 3 times the amount I paid them to wallpaper my hall stairs and landing.

choc71 · 18/04/2020 13:50

OP if you are near me, I can recommend a superb craftsman who can and does turn his hand to anything and everything and is decent and honest.

rwalker · 18/04/2020 13:57

He realised that you know your being ripped off and would know the real cost of wood .
£100/120 tops for wood and fixings.

A good joiner will correct power tools surprised if it would be more than a good morning work 6 hours tops

I did our airing cupboard when we had a new boiler 2 battens ether side then wood slats screwed onto them .

Original poster
MamaJules34 · 18/04/2020 14:09

My husband is going to do it. He says he needs something to do anyway. Yikes!

OP posts:
Original poster
MamaJules34 · 18/04/2020 14:09

My mum paid £1100!!!!!

OP posts:
LimitIsUp · 18/04/2020 14:11

This is definitely a 'thing' among a minority of tradespeople (there are good and bad in all professions). We've had our share of exorbitant quotes too (also 'impressive' house apparently)

I now use an excellent, straight as a die odd job man. Found his details on my village facebook page by asking for recommendations.

vanillandhoney · 18/04/2020 14:12

Why wouldn't he want the job tho?

Maybe he can't be bothered for a small sum. Maybe the hassle of going out to get equipment etc. at the moment is more than the genuine cost is worth to him. Who knows what the reason is.

At the end of the day, independent businesses can charge what they want. If people don't want to pay that amount, they're free to go elsewhere. I'm a dog walker and I've had people refuse to pay my prices before. It's just the way it is, but I'm not working for less than I charge.

LimitIsUp · 18/04/2020 14:13

Your mum paid £1,100 Shock

He's a charlatan

Brefugee · 18/04/2020 14:14

If someone has a skill that you don't have and they give you a price for a job the only thing you need to do (and as you should always do when getting a quote) is get several more and compare them.

It's not being ripped off until you pay him over the odds for a job. But if you get a quote and you accept it - that's not really being ripped off although it is dodgy.

nottman · 18/04/2020 14:16

I'm a joiner.
ESTIMATE :
2 x airing cupboard slatted shelves.
1 x MDF shelf
2 x chrome hanging poles and fittings
Materials approx £ 60
Labour inc. collecting materials, shelves manufactured and fitted, poles fitted, sweep up hoover up. 4 hrs @ £ 30

TOTAL..........£ 180:00

inappropriateraspberry · 18/04/2020 14:16

£1100 - what did he do?!

WhatTiggersDoBest · 18/04/2020 14:18

YABU to be commissioning what is clearly non-essential work right now. Hmm
Maybe he was charging danger money for having to be in someone's house during a pandemic?

vanillandhoney · 18/04/2020 14:18

The thing is, you don't need a joiner to do that work. A joiner has normally been trained and has been to college or done an apprenticeship. They can easily command a couple of hundred pounds a day for their work, if not more, which is why he charges what he does. It's not worth his time to do a days work for less than his standard rate.

A local handyman will easily do what you're asking and will charge accordingly.

Hollyhobbi · 18/04/2020 14:19

Aren't you in lockdown over there? Was this fella in your house @MamaJules34? Or are you immune to Covid 19?

TruJay · 18/04/2020 14:22

Wow! That is not a reasonable quote.

Like pps have said, my mum has her kitchen fitted for £1100 and mil had quotes for her much bigger kitchen and not one quote was over £1800.

Please don’t pay that. Honestly have a go yourselves, you can do it. YouTube is great for tips and tricks!

Original poster
MamaJules34 · 18/04/2020 14:22

Why don't you RTFT @Hollyhobbi

OP posts:
Original poster
MamaJules34 · 18/04/2020 14:23

Thanks everyone. Will give it a bash and post results!

OP posts:
Ernieshere · 18/04/2020 14:30

What did he do at your mums?

Original poster
MamaJules34 · 18/04/2020 14:38

The same as ours plus put hooks on all the bathroom doors

OP posts:
inappropriateraspberry · 18/04/2020 14:39

Ouch! Expensive hooks! Hopefully your family won't be using him anymore.