Is this price too high??

[ChatterMonkey]

Have a leak in the bathroom thats showing on the kitchen ceiling. Had 3 plumbers amd a roofer out, and still non the wiser to whats causing it.

One plumber re-sealed the shower tray, and filled in gaps in brickwork where bathroom pipes come out. Paid him £70 for this.

Had him out again as its not resolved amd he's agreed to cut a hole out of the kitchen ceiling where its leaking, and have a proper look at whats leaking. The ceiling is so damp/wet it would need to be replaced probably anyway, so may as well use it as an access point to the pipework above.

To cut the hole, and then replaster and fill up at the end of the job, hes said this will cost £200. Thats doesnt include any work needed to resolve the leak. Does this seem high?? No idea what the normal cost for this would be.

On one hand, we can afford it, and want to get this resolved as its been a battle to try and get it resolved. On the other hand, i dont want to be ripped off.

Does anyone with more knowledge than me have an idea if this is fair or not?

what area of the UK are you in?

Im in the north east.

Well we had to have our living room ceiling fixed, two holes were cut out and it was replastered and that cost £220. Is the plumber a skilled plasterer or is he getting a plasterer to finish it?

The plumber is a skilled plasterer as well so will do the whole job himself.

Seems similar to your price then, maybe its not as far out as I thought.

The plan would be though to have a bit of a delay between replastering, just to ensure that leak has resolved. Would it be fair to hold back some of the money until that final step is completed? Say £100 for cutting the hole and then any cost for the plumbing, then the final £100 after its been replastered?