Repair Work

[cr0ft]

Out of interest, how many of you guys/gals are happy to do repair work, i.e. customer calling you out to reseat an old tap or replace a washer. What do you do in circumstances where you get there and you can't repair the item for whatever reason? Do you still charge?

I've had a couple callouts to repair taps that are so scaled up you can't get the cartridge out no matter what you do. Hence I've elected not to do any repair work any more as I don't feel I can charge a customer in this situation but it's a waste of my time.

Interested to see what other people think to repair work.

 

[dontknowitall]

Quite happy to do a repair/small job. You never know where it will lead. Usually to a much larger job a couple of years down the road or perhaps another 3-4 repair jobs from the recommendation.

Usually charge call out rate and with a difficult tap I often advise a change.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

yeh i just be honest

If i think the repair wont last or is a wasrte of time, i'll show the cust if possible and advise a new one, that way costs are covered on my mark up and labour when replacing

 

[stevetheplumber]

min charge of one hour for repairs often forewarn on phone of possibilitieswent to boiler not lighting last night and found a rucksack hanging on the gas valve at meter

 

[julesverne]

I've had a couple callouts to repair taps that are so scaled up you can't get the cartridge out no matter what you do. Hence I've elected not to do any repair work any more as I don't feel I can charge a customer in this situation but it's a waste of my time.
.

if you cant get the cartridge out valve etc. Just tell them they need a new tap. if you cant get it out then its chuffed so they need a new one anyway.

however if they elect not to get a new tap then i would still charge them. your a business not a charity, we still have to put food on the table and pay the mortgage. although i have not come across many people who dont go with your diagnosis (only 1 in 4 1/2 years).

 

[SimonG]

Repairs are profitable as I find there's not many people do them round my way. If I get there and it can't be repaired then it's a replace. If they don't want to replace then it's a call out or time, whichever is most.

 

[cr0ft]

Sounds good. I never even thought of offering a replace OR a call-out fee. Might revise my policy on repairs now

Daft how the simple things sometimes escape me!

 

[dontknowitall]

Sounds good. I never even thought of offering a replace OR a call-out fee. Might revise my policy on repairs now

Daft how the simple things sometimes escape me!

I know how you feel!! Mind you, I don't like charging unless I've fixed or replaced something.

 

[cr0ft]

Yes that's my feeling now. It sounds rubbish to even mention this thread to be honest, but I'm finding a new type of customers now who don't bother maintaining anything in there house for years then expect you to repair things. One even called me rubbish the other day when I couldn't get the cartridge off the tap lol. Even the cover was seized on with scale

At that point I just said well you probably want to get a decent plumber in and said my goodbyes, don't need idiots like that for customers really. Don't get many like that though!

 

[cdodds2004]

thats my motto on it aswell, try and repair if cant be repaired or seized etc and chance u could damage something i just advise a change!