Plumbers

[Wisdomseeker]

I've been quoted a rate of £95 per hour (before VAT) for nonemergency visit by plumber in North Hertfordshire. Firm only knows I want to replace some domestic plastic piping with copper in a loft. Quote does not refer to job or include materials. Web search shows average plumber labour cost as £50/hr for this area. Anyone else having similar problems with overcharging!

If they are overcharging then you’ll easily find someone cheaper. Which site are you checking to get average hourly rates for plumbers?

I'm not overly surprised by that, I think £50 is a little low considering the area.

In the East Midlands, typically far cheaper than Herts, I recently paid £75 + VAT for the first hour, followed by £45 + VAT thereafter, plus materials. This was for a plumber to re-jig some pipework and relocate a radiator. But to fair he was the only quote i got , because out of the four I contacted, only he came back to me.

That sounds on the high side. I work for a skilled trades company (not plumbing but the equivalent really) and we charge £78 per hour in London, or if it goes over 5.5 chargeable hours, £416.00.

DH charges £65 (no VAT) for a callout, including the 1st hour’s labour, then £50 an hour after that, plus parts.

If he’s subbing for Corgi/ homeserve etc. he gets £50 an hour day rate or £65 after hours.

Thanks everyone. I had looked for a number of local plumbers before posting, and the £95 quote was not alone. I think most companies seem to expect this in my area. However since then I've found a plumber - through the Local Heroes site - who will come to assess the job first, then give me a price. To BorgQueen - sorry, who do you mean by DH?

My husband (DH is the abbreviation) is a self employed heating engineer. He covers Staffordshire/ South Cheshire.