Plumbing Dispute

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networkn

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Topic # 142768 24-Mar-2014 11:47

Hi There!

We have just got a bill from our "new" plumber for $400 + GST after asking him to come out and look at why our toilet wouldn't stop "filling".

He came directly from our inlaws place, which was 4KM away, said it needed a new washer, but didn't have one on him (WTF!?) and then took 5 weeks to return with them. We asked him
multiple times to post it out as replacement was very simple. He came back and replaced it after our 5th chase up call.

We have a $320 labour bill and $80 for 2 washers!

They won't reply back to us or take our calls for some reason!

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Reply # 1011707 24-Mar-2014 11:51

http://www.cab.org.nz/vat/consumer/services/Pages/Generalproblemswithservices.aspx

Not very kind of the plumber. I would expect for the time delays he would have at least fixed it and not over charged you.

MikeB4

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Reply # 1011710 24-Mar-2014 11:59

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$40 each for Stopcock washers, holly heck are the Titanium implanted. Sheesh Also $320 for labour seems a tad steep, lets see, Ariive at home, locate water toby, turn off toby, detach Stopcock and pull plunger out of the unit, remove old washer, reassemble
and reinstall. Turn on toby and test. I have done this multiple times and it takes about 30 minutes.

Mike
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surfisup1000

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Reply # 1011713 24-Mar-2014 12:04

I did this myself , having had a friend who was a plumber show me how.

I think the rubber washer was $3.00, time was 10 minutes tops, maybe.

Not sure if it was the exact same thing you had done though.

One thing though -- those washers are garbage -- they get 'blistering' which causes them to leak. I can't believe they can't make a washer that doesn't blister after a year.

mattwnz

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Reply # 1011738 24-Mar-2014 12:43

surfisup1000: I did this myself , having had a friend who was a plumber show me how.

I think the rubber washer was $3.00, time was 10 minutes tops, maybe.

Not sure if it was the exact same thing you had done though.

One thing though -- those washers are garbage -- they get 'blistering' which causes them to leak. I can't believe they can't make a washer that doesn't blister after a year.

I know what you mean. These washers that are supplied in NZ are rubbish, after only about a year they get litters in them. The plumbing shop also charge an arm and leg for them, as you have to get a kit, with things you don't need. Instead I now just buy them off eBay for a fraction of the price.

mattwnz

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Reply # 1011741 24-Mar-2014 12:46

networkn: Hi There!

We have just got a bill from our "new" plumber for $400 + GST after asking him to come out and look at why our toilet wouldn't stop "filling".

He came directly from our inlaws place, which was 4KM away, said it needed a new washer, but didn't have one on him (WTF!?) and then took 5 weeks to return with them. We asked him
multiple times to post it out as replacement was very simple. He came back and replaced it after our 5th chase up call.

We have a $320 labour bill and $80 for 2 washers!

They won't reply back to us or take our calls for some reason!

I believe if they didn't initially give you a quote or estimate for the job, then they can only charge you a reasonable price. So ask plumbers what they charge for that work, then write a letter to the plumbers saying what this is what others will charge and say what you are willing to pay.

gzt

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Reply # 1011744 24-Mar-2014 12:49

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networkn: We have just got a bill from our "new" plumber for $400 + GST after asking him to come out and look at why our toilet wouldn't stop "filling".

I'd suggest starting by surreptitiously finding out what their minimum call out fee and hourly rate is and working backwards to see if it is reasonable by their own yardstick.

At the end you'll just have to nominate a figure and send them that with a letter describing the situation and the basis of your calculation. Or just the letter offering settlement.

gzt

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Reply # 1011748 24-Mar-2014 12:52

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mattwnz: The plumbing shop also charge an arm and leg for them, as you have to get a kit, with things you don't need. Instead I now just buy them off eBay for a fraction of the price.

This brand has a display in all NZ major hardware stores: eg;

http://www.fixatap.com.au/product/seating-washer-suits-caroma-and-dux-cisterns/226167

Most around $6-7.

nickb800

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Reply # 1011758 24-Mar-2014 13:10

KiwiNZ: $40 each for Stopcock washers, holly heck are the Titanium implanted. Sheesh Also $320 for labour seems a tad steep, lets see, Ariive at home, locate water toby, turn off toby, detach Stopcock and pull plunger out of the unit, remove old washer, reassemble
and reinstall. Turn on toby and test. I have done this multiple times and it takes about 30 minutes.

If the cistern keeps filling (as OP said) then the plumber can shut off water at the stopcock for the cistern, no need to locate the houses' toby - a very quick job

Bung

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Reply # 1011760 24-Mar-2014 13:16

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networkn: He came back and replaced it after our 5th chase up call.

Maybe he's an ex lawyer and charged you 15 mins for each call out of habit.

MikeB4

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Reply # 1011766 24-Mar-2014 13:20

nickb800:
KiwiNZ: $40 each for Stopcock washers, holly heck are the Titanium implanted. Sheesh Also $320 for labour seems a tad steep, lets see, Ariive at home, locate water toby, turn off toby, detach Stopcock and pull plunger out of the unit, remove old washer, reassemble
and reinstall. Turn on toby and test. I have done this multiple times and it takes about 30 minutes.

If the cistern keeps filling (as OP said) then the plumber can shut off water at the stopcock for the cistern, no need to locate the houses' toby - a very quick job

Some installations don't have the isolating vale for the cistern

Mike
IT Management Consultant, Freelance money spender
The views stated in my posts are my personal views and not that of any other organisation.

Take My Advice, Pull Down Your Pants And Slide On The Ice!

trig42

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Reply # 1011785 24-Mar-2014 14:00

Crikey, that is expensive! Definitely too much.

We just DIYed a new Cistern for ours (the plastic flimsy flush apparatus in the old one broke) - $125 all up for a new cistern, about 30 minutes to install it. Luckily we have solid wood walls, so screwing it in was easy, and we had a flexible hose from the tap to the cistern.

mattwnz

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Reply # 1011815 24-Mar-2014 14:50

gzt:
mattwnz: The plumbing shop also charge an arm and leg for them, as you have to get a kit, with things you don't need. Instead I now just buy them off eBay for a fraction of the price.

This brand has a display in all NZ major hardware stores: eg;

http://www.fixatap.com.au/product/seating-washer-suits-caroma-and-dux-cisterns/226167

Most around $6-7.

Not the same part that I have a problem wth, as that is basically a foam washer. I have replaced a few of those and they are reasonably reliable.
The part which keeps getting blisters is a clear silicon washer that is part of the flush value, and it only takes about a year before it develops water filled blisters on it, which cause it to contently leak. I an pop the blister but it fills up again. Flush valves also don't last long as they slit alount the membrane fold after a year or two. In NZ there is only one company that has parts for my toilets (European made), and they charge about $60-$70 plus freight, where I can get the part on ebay for about $15 deliviered.

joker97

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Reply # 1011843 24-Mar-2014 15:18

I'm allergic to plumbers for that very reason. Same allergy to lawyers except our current one seems to have a flat rate for a service. Went to neave lane lawyers in Christchurch and was about 1k out of pocket with each unsuccessful house offer!

Anyone knows a reasonable plumber in Dunedin?

Aredwood

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Reply # 1012128 24-Mar-2014 23:28

Did they give a detailed breakdown of the bill? Maybe they spent ages driving around town trying to find out who stocked those particular washers.

Also does your invoice state exactly what washers they are brand and part code ect? So I can look them up myself. Asking since im a Plumber / Gasfitter myself. Partly so you could see what i would have to pay for them, And if you have an oddball toilet, So I will know where to go to if I also get asked to fix one.

Thanks.

And Im based in Auckland so can't help with who to contact in Dunedin.

nakedmolerat

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Reply # 1012137 24-Mar-2014 23:58

Pictures?

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