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Quoting for another firm as a subbie.

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Discuss Quoting for another firm as a subbie. in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at Plumbers Forums

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armyash

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Hi, recently been getting passed a fair bit of work from a property maintenance company who I think have a contract with different letting agents.

I realise they need to make some money on top of what I quote so I take that in to consideration.

The thing is they seem to think I can give a price for a job at the drop of a hat which potentially leaves me out of pocket. I've included a couple of pictures below of jobs that they have asked me to look at. Shower tray jobs that are leaking. They have already been resealed, not by me and are still leaking.

I've recommended the tray and enclosures are replaced as they look a bit grotty and I've said that it's 50/50 the enclosures will come off OK and I can't guarantee that they will be ok if refitted. Just after opinions of anyone on here what you would do. I don't want to spend half a day removing an enclosure trying to clean it all up and resealing the tray only for it to start leaking a month later then I'm back there for free putting it right.

If it was a customer of mine it's easier to give best advice and decline a job but this maintenance company are obviously chasing the money and want the jobs done as quick as possible which I do get but feel like it would need to be a bodge.

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Out and new tray and screen also new base and one row of tiling
 
Thanks for the replies.

That's it from now on, quote to replace. I feel pressured in to agreeing to do a repair. If they insist on a repair no matter what I'll be saying I can't guarantee the success and any return visits will be chargeable.
 
The first 2 pictures that tray is on legs.

The other tray with the thin row of tiles is sitting on a bed of cement on top of a timber base. I'd try and get that on legs also just because it leaves more room for leak inspections in the future.
 
scott_d said:
Looks like a nightmare job
You can bet a few tiles will come off the wall trying to remove the enclosure
Click to expand...


I've had 3 this week, all bad and they are asking for quotes to repair. Its a bit like they think I'm swerving the job and after making money. Not massive money in the work really anyway. Its the hassle I'm trying to avoid.
 
Well if you're not guaranteeing success and any return visits are chargeable then might be better to starts with ruling out a proper re-sealing being needed. Doesn't look like it's been done well.

Jump about in it and rattle the screen. If the tray and screen feels solid and the tiles and grout are decent I'd spend half an hour with a brand new razor sharp chisel nice and flat skimming off old sealant and gunk, thorough clean with trade wipes until all surfaces looks clean. Then I'd give it a resealing with a slightly thick but neat line of decent silicone including little bits of clear in any weak points nooks and crannies of the screen.

There's a decent chance it might work and if not they only punted an hour's money on it.
 
WaterTight said:
Well if you're not guaranteeing success and any return visits are chargeable then might be better to starts with ruling out a proper re-sealing being needed. Doesn't look like it's been done well.

Jump about in it and rattle the screen. If the tray and screen feels solid and the tiles and grout are decent I'd spend half an hour with a brand new razor sharp chisel nice and flat skimming off old sealant and gunk, thorough clean with trade wipes until all surfaces looks clean. Then I'd give it a resealing with a slightly thick but neat line of decent silicone including little bits of clear in any weak points nooks and crannies of the screen.

There's a decent chance it might work and if not they only punted an hour's money on it.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't normally mind but I've been put off because they have just been resealed this week and still leaking. My guess is the tray wasn't sealed where the profiles sit.
 
If I was in a position to sub out a few jobs a week I'd be subbing those ones out that you have, I'd keep the better work for me.
Looks like that's what they're doing to you, giving you the jobs their regular plumbers don't want or won't guarantee.
Or are you getting some straight forward jobs off them too?
I work for a couple of lettings agencies (250 properties in total) and I get 95% maintenance like taps and wc cistern issues. If I was getting all the carp jobs I'd be telling them to find someone else.
 
JCplumb said:
If I was in a position to sub out a few jobs a week I'd be subbing those ones out that you have, I'd keep the better work for me.
Looks like that's what they're doing to you, giving you the jobs their regular plumbers don't want or won't guarantee.
Or are you getting some straight forward jobs off them too?
I work for a couple of lettings agencies (250 properties in total) and I get 95% maintenance like taps and wc cistern issues. If I was getting all the carp jobs I'd be telling them to find someone else.
Click to expand...

So far it's not been too bad, I've had quite a bit off them this year. A boiler change and plenty of normal repairs. I'm not stupid though the last 2 weeks there has been more quotes to go and look at which they don't pay for which has been as much fun as you can imagine. Got caught out a couple of times doing boiler repair quotes, 2.5 hours including driving for nothing but have put stop to that told them that's working if I'm having to look at the boiler so will be chargeable. Not happy but they have agreed.

Had another night going here, there and everywhere for one little repair and other quotes, being given incorrect address info and got in 1am so made nothing but fuel money. Told them I'm happy to do the odd quote but if I'm going to be out late it needs to be for work or I'm better off going to work in Morrisons.

It's not all bad, been paid on time for everything so far, due a decent size payment tomorrow. I know it can't be all take on my part which is why I will go out of my way to do a quote and a few times they have asked me to go and do a repair short notice and I've sorted it.

I'm not charging them a lot and I know they are OK with the prices. Will just make sure they don't take advantage over the next couple of weeks and should be OK.
 
scott_d said:
What do you mean when you say not charging alot?
Click to expand...

£40 ph
£65 first hour if more than 30min drive.
Plus materials obviously.

£55.00 LLSC, was £65.00 but they tried to say they have a guy doing them for £35.00 and one for £55.00 I said no chance I'm doing them for that but I said I'd match the £55.00. Even though they were probably lying anyway.
 
Will give it a couple of weeks as they are giving me regular work but it's not local, I have started to neglect my own area just because I don't have time at the minute but I was getting plenty anyway so if they cause me too much hassle I'll say thanks but no thanks.
 
armyash said:
I wouldn't normally mind but I've been put off because they have just been resealed this week and still leaking. My guess is the tray wasn't sealed where the profiles sit.
Click to expand...

Whay you'll find Ash is that although the 9ld might have been cleaned off properly they never allowed the substrate to dry out. No matter what you do then, it never sticks properly.

Personally I'd not be doing th9se jobs as its YOUR rep on linn when, not if, it goes wrong
 

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