Plumber charge to quote

[Chipperchopper]

Hello, just interested to see if people think this is reasonable: had an issue with heating, thought it might be a valve by tank. Called a plumber who came out a week later to look. He was here 15 minutes and checked general heating valve, all ok. The only thing which needs doing is replacing a radiators valve. He emails quote for £118. I agree, he's booked in for next week. I then receive an invoice for him coming over to diagnose and quote for £60. He didn't mention a call out fee and it's not on the website either. Going forward, I will always ask now. I haven't ever had this before, is it usual?! £60 for a 15 minute visit seems very steep.

Don't all tradesmen have a call out fee? according to Check a Trade £ 60 is about standard. My excellent plumber charges that to have a look at the job and price it. Standard as far as I know.

It should be on the website and he should have told you about it, though.

He hasn’t charged for a quote - he’s charged for his time attending and using his expertise to diagnose the problem. I’d never expect a call out to be free and most trades charge a flat rate for a call out or per 30 minute / one hour blocks, regardless of whether it takes the full 30 minutes / hour.

This! Of course he will charge you for his time, expertise, knowledge and travel, what on earth did you expect?

Sadly I think this is necessary due to the amount of people who don't value the time of tradespeople.

They'll call people out to get a quote when they have no intention of actually having the work done. Some will get 10 different quotes for one job. I don't think tradies expect work from every person they see, but their time = money and a lot of people take the piss so they have to protect themselves.

I think it’s normal. It’s a call-out fee.

Yes, sorry OP, that’s a call-out fee. It’s the norm.

Of course he would charge for coming out and looking at it - it's a call out fee

He's not charging you for a quote

So many people want something for nothing.

He may only have been there for 15 minutes but you are not juts paying for his time.

I think it's different someone like a painter or joiner where they are coming out to look at what a job will involve and provide a price. Whereas a plumber or electrician etc coming out where there is a problem is charging to do a diagnosis and suggest solutions.

It’s not just 15 minutes either. He has to get to you and return and email the quote for the work. Pick up the stuff to do the work. Trades have to do a lot of hours outside those they are in your home.

Of course there's a call out fee. Would you work for free? Whether it took 15 mins or an hour to diagnose, the guy is still working.