Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watchdog

[sportyruss]

Apparently his company were on 'Watchdog' last year charging excessive prices for comparatively easy jobs. Shall I trust him or shall I cancel. It's got me worried now. They told me there was a £67.50 call out charge for the first half hour, but their advert says no call out charge! Any advice would be great.

Oh, it's to look at replacing a leaking immersion heater.

 

[TomLane]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Where did you first hear about his 'company' before you heard about it being on Watchdog?

It is a good rule of thumb to get 'recommendations' or previous customer reviews to see what the trademan is like!

Where did you hear about them appearing on Watchdog? Was it a reliable source or the grape vine?

 

[Thoggy]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Christ use some common sense mate, the guys been on watch dog for massively over charging and your considering having him round? Give a decent honest plumber a bell or put your details on the looking for plumber section on here.

 

[sportyruss]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Where did you first hear about his 'company' before you heard about it being on Watchdog?

It is a good rule of thumb to get 'recommendations' or previous customer reviews to see what the trademan is like!

Where did you hear about them appearing on Watchdog? Was it a reliable source or the grape vine?

The company are in the 'Thompson Local', so I just put the name in an internet search and the first thing that came up was the 'Watchdog' article. The guy works for them, so he's not the actual person the complaint was about, just the company.

 

[Nostrum]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Leave the key under the mat and leave them to it while you go and do you christmas shopping, after all they sound like a trustworthy bunch.

 

[stevetheplumber]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

if you dont know anyone to reccomend a plumber id get the local paper out and ring round for some prices already this company has decieved you use your common sense
even if companies advertise no call out charge they are entitled to charge an hourly rate once they come to you £135 an hour is more than the leading london company pimlico plumbers will charge you where abouts are you someone here might be able to help

 

[nicro3]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

If you you want a infamous plumber off the telly then knock yourself out. Otherwise go for a good local plumber

 

[sportyruss]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

if you dont know anyone to reccomend a plumber id get the local paper out and ring round for some prices already this company has decieved you use your common sense
even if companies advertise no call out charge they are entitled to charge an hourly rate once they come to you £135 an hour is more than the leading london company pimlico plumbers will charge you where abouts are you someone here might be able to help

I'm in Southampton

 

[lame plumber]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

omg!!!!!!!!!!! please be in devon and I'll pop one in for a very reasonable £500

 

[TomLane]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Like I say, recommendations would have been the better route to take. Asking around work colleagues, members of your family, neighbours etc if they have had any plumbing work done & who they used!

I appreciate this doesn't help you at this point but for future reference & possibly saving you money/time/headache ask about!

If you think you may have trouble then only you can decide what to do!

 

[sportyruss]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

I think I'm going to phone him in the morning and cancel.

 

[Barry98]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

I think I'm going to phone him in the morning and cancel.

Thats the best decision you've made all day

 

[REDSAW]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

some reputable guys on here near you

 

[villa_tom]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

I think I'm going to phone him in the morning and cancel.

Id try and cancel no if you can. If they are dodgy or corrupt or whatever, they'll prob still smack you with a charge for cancelling in the morning.

 

[TBServices]

Id try and cancel no if you can. If they are dodgy or corrupt or whatever, they'll prob still smack you with a charge for cancelling in the morning.

Agreed. Call and leave a message tonight, then ring again tomorrow.

 

[sportyruss]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Just phoned the guys mobile number and left a message. Will phone again in the morning to confirm. Hope they don't try and charge me. I actually phoned them on Saturday, but the guy said he was too busy to come out that day. You never know what to believe sometimes. Am I better off going for a 'Checkatrade' plumber. Is that a good route to go down?

 

[TBServices]

Just phoned the guys mobile number and left a message. Will phone again in the morning to confirm. Hope they don't try and charge me. I actually phoned them on Saturday, but the guy said he was too busy to come out that day. You never know what to believe sometimes. Am I better off going for a 'Checkatrade' plumber. Is that a good route to go down?

No. They're all paid for so could just end up with another unknown.

Put an add in the looking for a plumber section of the forum

 

[TomLane]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Am I better off going for a 'Checkatrade' plumber. Is that a good route to go down?

Not necessarily.

Without wishing to offend any guys on here who advertise their business on there successfully but who's to say the reviews on the tradesman's pages are not fabricated by themselves!

Speak to someone you know & trust to see if they anyone!!!!

 

[TomLane]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Put an add in the looking for a plumber section of the forum

Or do this! :tongue:

 

[Mike Jackson]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Not necessarily.

Without wishing to offend any guys on here who advertise their business on there successfully but who's to say the reviews on the tradesman's pages are not fabricated by themselves!

Speak to someone you know & trust to see if they anyone!!!!

Checkatrade vet the reviews left so you stand a good chance of getting someone decent. There are other good sites as well.

To be honest you could be unlucky and get a dishonest tradesmen from any site but with a reputable one you stand a better chance of getting someone honest.

 

[nicro3]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Talk to your neighbours and friends one of them may know a good tradesman. Word of mouth is the best way for whoever you need.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

[DLMURL="http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/im-looking-plumber-gas-engineer/"]I'm looking for a Plumber or Gas Engineer[/DLMURL]

click the above link post your details and what you need doing job done

 

[PlumbBobBob]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

i'm going on tuesday to have a look. then call in and see my mum she lives literally round the corner.

 

[Reg Man]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Watchdog don't just pick on anyone, So well done you have probably made one of the best decisions of the week. Trouble with some of these companies isn't the call out, its what the say is wrong when they get through the door. You could end up with a brand new heating system badly installed and £10,000 out of pocket.

 

[Avatar]

Re: Got a guy coming round tomorrow to check a job, but his company have been on Watc

Look for a plumber in your local paper

That is make sure they are a bona fide plumber . . .

Here is a checklist:

1) Make sure that they are advertised as a plumber, not Bathroom or Boiler fitter (and windows!)

2) Make sure they aren't offering loads of other services as well (as they may be a builder....)

3) Don't EVER use builders for plumbing work .. . .

4) Don't ever use British Gas for plumbing work (oops sorry I know!)

5) Looks for a small local tradesman without a huge glitzy advert/website

6) Ask for references if it is a big job.

7) If a plumber is advertised as Gas Safe with various tickets like Unvented and the like they may be ok . . .


What you are trying to avoid are Builders who know nothing about plumbing (99% of builders actually!) and DIY/handymen advertising as plumbers . . . .

The actual amount of genuine cowboy plumbers are few - most people who get bad work aren't actually getting plumbers, they are getting unskilled people mascaraing as plumbers - big difference!

I hope that helps!