UK - Boiler heat exchanger leak fixed in 10mins feasible?

[corpjones]

Hi everyone

Just wanted some advice, we have a Vaillant Ecotec Plus 837 combi boiler which developed a small dripping leak, I called a plumber and he visited while I was at work and resolved the issue, I had advised to call me before any repairs are carried out but he called me after it was all done.

He said it was leaking from the heat exchanger, I spoke to the wife who was at home and she said he was only there for 10mins and just tightened something in the boiler, no parts were replaced, he did remove the lid.

He's billed me for £150, does this sound reasonable? happy to pay if this is the going rate but just wanted to make sure this sounds excessive, a friend mentioned a leak at the heat exchanger would have taken longer then 10mins to fix so thats why I thought I should get further advice.

Advice appreciated :)

Well I guess on a time spent on the job it is pretty expensive.

However you do have to factor in stuff like the time he spent traveling backwards and forwards as well. He may well have a minimum charge per job. Did you ask this before getting his services ?

If he actually fixed the problem I think I would be happy paying the £150 and be pleased that there was not something more serious wrong.

There are a lot of people out there though who resent paying more than £2.50 an hour for anything. So don't be surprised if other opinions on the matter differ.

It sounds expensive but what can you do? You could try paying him what you think the job is worth.
Ask around, phone some other boiler engineers. Ask what their call out fee would be. Talk to him direct & ask how he merits that fee?

The thing that struck me in your post and might also be picked up by others, is referring to “the wife”.
Is she an object?

Thank you, I was after a free quote so I could make a decision but I only got the call after it was fixed, there were no callout charges etc, was told it was a free quote, if the price sounds reasonable i'm not too bothered that he didnt call before fixing and will just pay it.