Plumbing quote - is this a fair price?

[greenockboy]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering if plumbers on forum believe I am getting a fair price for work below I was quoted for?

Been quoted £770 to repipe 8 radiators, including lifting floorboards and the guy putting them back down when hes done and fitting new TRV valves on the radiators (currently they have old twin entry valves only on one side).
Also fitting new ballcock to tank in loft, flushing (not power) out system and repiping the overflow on the tank as its not done properly at the moment.

Wasnt expecting £770 - but not sure if thats normal?

appreciate any advice..

Cheers ​

 

[Roger Welton]

At the end of the day we can't give a precise figure over the 'net as we do't know what length runs are required and so on, maybe he's having dearer rad valves fitted, maybe there is quite a bit of making good with boxing required.

I'd say the quote the OP has recieved is in the right region.

Yes it could probably be done cheaper, and more quickly, use plastic or microbore, cheaper valves, but imho you get what you pay for.

 

[Dannypipe]

Agreed, Rog.

Also, Dancin - what on earth did you do that meant you had to pay a solicitor over £300 an hour to keep you out of prison!!? Actually forget I asked!! Glad you're a free man!

 

[dancinplumba]

thats his going rate for anything

 

[moony]

Danny - i may be different to others as in I would price for half a day - and then look for another half a days work in my diary to bring forward. I would be pretty disappointed if I went over the half a day - I'm currently working my balls off to build this business to a four man work force - to do this I have to be competitive and if I can get 240 a day per man I will be pleased, but repeat custom is more important - I'm still learning business wise but I've got 2 sons and possibly another on the way - so I'm doing this for them really - 10 to 20 years to get them a business to take over - rather than struggle to start up themselves, if I can keep the house going and have a few nice hols on the way then great - but this is for the sons - one of them or both, if they don't want it then hopefully I'll be in a position to sit back myself a bit , but I'm in it for the long term not a quick buck and out the door.

 

[moony]

And the long reply was to tbservices just I'm that slow at typing about ten others got there inbetween lol.

 

[Dannypipe]

I'm in the same boat as you mate. Two young kids. I put my heart and sole into my business. I'm obviously not in the plumbing business for a quick buck or I wouldn't come on here and chew the cud with other plumbers every night!! I love plumbing, love my business, and I want it to grow too.

We just disagree a bit on this, and lets face it. Neither of us have viewed the work, so we'll never know if it was one day, half a days or two days work!

I prefer to give people a worse can scenario, that way they aren't tutting and moaning when I'm still there after I said I would be done. Likewise it doesn't help if you say it's a days work, and are done in an hour!!

 

[TBServices]

And the long reply was to tbservices just I'm that slow at typing about ten others got there inbetween lol.

Hi Moony, wasnt intentionally having a go, just think these things should be handled a bit more sensitively. Seemed to me the OP was happy enough with the quote, but now hes seeing £480 instead of £770 and warning bells may be going off, just on your hunch.

I personally think you're probably working too long for not enough, especially if you're throwing in heating systems in, in a day and charging £240 a man for the long hours. Its bad business for everyone concerned, as if the cowboys aren't driving prices down enough.

 

[tamz]

For a full repipe of 8 rads in copper the quoted price is well within reason imo (moreso if they are vat registered).
Even the fastest of guys will have a decent hard shift to do it in a day.
There is a world of difference between someone dragging speedfit around a house to someone doing a proper job. At the end of the day you get what you pay for.

To the op, if you think it is expensive get another price to compare.

 

[glenno1]

dont rate budget trv they tend to bang a bit imo

 

[WaterTight]

If I did the work listed in half a day I know where my next stop would be: The hospital. Admission for nervous breakdown.

3 and half years ago I'd never picked up a cordless drill and couldn't tell you what a ball-valve was so perhpas I've still a way to develop on speed (I'm still noticing I can finish a nightmare job faster today than I could an easy one a year ago.) But I'm also training myself to chill out and slow down. Because I'd rather not burn out. The stress of plumbing has already aged me prematurely. Honestly plumbers should get free facelifts on the NHS. All that wincing and frowning plays havoc with the mug.

 

[dontknowitall]

... Honestly plumbers should get free facelifts on the NHS ...

And free knee joints. Mate of mine had those PIP knee implants and he's struggling for an NHS appointment.

Luckily for me, I went to Harley Street and had some Dow Corning injected which has worked well so far.

 

[dancinplumba]

i got new knees last year, waiting for facelift....

 

[moony]

Hi Moony, wasnt intentionally having a go, just think these things should be handled a bit more sensitively. Seemed to me the OP was happy enough with the quote, but now hes seeing £480 instead of £770 and warning bells may be going off, just on your hunch.

I personally think you're probably working too long for not enough, especially if you're throwing in heating systems in, in a day and charging £240 a man for the long hours. Its bad business for everyone concerned, as if the cowboys aren't driving prices down enough.

I don't tell the customer it's so much a day, the heating job was priced at 2 full days 3 people so you can work the price of labour I quoted - just that 2 of us flew at it and worked late so got it done - customer still paid same price. Ive worked out what my business needs to grow and that's the price I've come up with - others may be different but it's vary rare people charge over 300 a day per man around here.

 

[moony]

If I did the work listed in half a day I know where my next stop would be: The hospital. Admission for nervous breakdown.

Half a day for 2 people not one

 

[Barry98]

i got new knees last year, waiting for facelift....

keep ya chin up fella

bom bom

 

[folwlerg68]

maybe im missing something, but how do we know that quote for 770 is not just for labour? which would make it pricey, if it is for labour and materials then it is fair.

 

[secret squirrel]

maybe im missing something, but how do we know that quote for 770 is not just for labour? which would make it pricey, if it is for labour and materials then it is fair.

Problem is not one of us has seen the job, maybe theres a lot more to than that a face value. Remember a quote is just that it is up to the OP whether to take it or not.

 

[Whn1]

I'd have done it for 30 quid including materials.

 

[cr0ft]

Lol may as well pluck a price out of the air without seeing the job.

 

[dancinplumba]

do you not value your trade ? what you have given sweat blood an tears for ? would you prostitute yourself for such a little amount ??

 

[Whn1]

do you not value your trade ? what you have given sweat blood an tears for ? would you prostitute yourself for such a little amount ??

Why? You interested?

 

[dancinplumba]

in what ?

 

[cr0ft]

I think this thread has to be a wind-up. £700 odd including materials to re-pipe a central heating system?

 

[hammers4spanner]

Lol may as well pluck a price out of the air without seeing the job.

I do loads of boiler changes and heat installs without seeing them , been in the game 22 years not had many major issues as yet doing installs some days longer than others but if it looks like shot yourself in the foot with price then just work harder and finish later but all in all tend to get over it . All you need to know imo is what style house it is which gives you good indication of how hard it could be .

 

[Whn1]

I do loads of boiler changes and heat installs without seeing them , been in the game 22 years not had many major issues as yet doing installs some days longer than others but if it looks like shot yourself in the foot with price then just work harder and finish later but all in all tend to get over it . All you need to know imo is what style house it is which gives you good indication of how hard it could be .

This is very true.