Did the Plumber overcharge?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Did the Plumber overcharge?

J32

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#189552 4-Jan-2016 11:09

I had a plumber come in to fix a leak near the water toby. I dug it up myself to save some money. The plumber came and fixed it in less than 35 minutes. However the bill charges 1.5 hours of labour.

I never had the need for a plumber before so I don't quite understand why I am being charged for 1.5 hours (90 minutes) of labour when he finished the job in 35 minutes. It was during normal work hours as well. So no extra charges for after hours or something like that.

Everything else on the bill looks like expected, material costs, administration fee and vehicle charge. Is there something that I am not seeing here which makes the time add up to 90 minutes? I'd appreciate any advice you guys can give me.

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#1460954 4-Jan-2016 11:13

Time to get there, time to get parts if required.

johnr

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#1460959 4-Jan-2016 11:33

Minimum charge for labour might be 90 minutes and also driving time

J32

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#1460960 4-Jan-2016 11:34

andrewNZ: Time to get there, time to get parts if required.

Thanks for your reply Andrew! Alright, time to get to the site. Fair enough.

Still about 1 hour seems a bit much when you can get anywhere in town within 10 minutes. I live in Oamaru.

J32

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#1460961 4-Jan-2016 11:36

johnr: Minimum charge might for labour might be 90 minutes and also driving time

Wow! Minimum charge for labour. I did not see that coming with the prices they charge. But good to know. Thanks!

timmmay

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#1460968 4-Jan-2016 12:00

Have you tried asking the plumber? It's a fair question and only they can tell you why they charged you what they did.

J32

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#1460969 4-Jan-2016 12:06

timmmay: Have you tried asking the plumber? It's a fair question and only they can tell you why they charged you what they did.

I tried calling, but couldn't reach anyone during the holidays. Just thought I ask here and get myself informed before I try again. And it turns out I already learned something.

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Dingbatt

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#1460970 4-Jan-2016 12:11

Today I learned that the connection between the water mains and the house is called a 'Toby'.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

mentalinc

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#1460971 4-Jan-2016 12:11

The invoice should say what their minimum charge is for labour.

The one I used recently was 1 hour

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J32

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#1460972 4-Jan-2016 12:14

Dingbatt: Today I learned that the connection between the water mains and the house is called a 'Toby'.

I did not know that either. It was what council called it when I rang them up.

Dingbatt

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#1460973 4-Jan-2016 12:18

J32:
Dingbatt: Today I learned that the connection between the water mains and the house is called a 'Toby'.

I did not know that either. It was what council called it when I rang them up.

Where did the council say their responsibility ended? At your boundary?

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996