Am I Being Ripped off? Plumber Gouging Me

singlemalt72 on 24/10/2023 - 21:07
Last edited 25/10/2023 - 09:29 by 1 other user

So, a couple Sundays ago we had a blocked sewer all the way back to the house lower level and I had to get a plumber in.
I pulled an inspection hatch in our driveway and it was gushing out black water so I resealed it.

Plumber arrives and tells me for future reference it is a council issue from the inspection point, but he can snake it with the high pressure water snake and see off it will clear.

About 35 minutes of work with the snake and it eventually cleared, I did all the cleanup myself.

$420 bill arrives today - now I know it was a Sunday and all, but 400 bucks for less than an hours work?

This is why I hate calling in tradies.

Home & Garden

Comments

    • Brianqpr on 25/10/2023 - 17:52

      Possibly, but would they have the equipment and would they even be much cheaper anyway? My experience with handymen (hire a hubby etc) has been mixed.

  • ultraviolet on 25/10/2023 - 17:48
    +1

    Lesson learnt is to ask what is the minimum charge for the call out.

    In terms of procedure the plumber was against Sydney water guideline trying to fix the problem since it was claimed as council issue ( proper term is Sydney water issue? Or the plumber did not learn enough). The plumber also should report to Sydney water and also charge Sydney water for the call-out.

    I used Sydney water here just for simplicity based on my knowledge. Op please pm me the plumber contacts so I can avoid in the future.

  • Brianqpr on 25/10/2023 - 17:52

    I'm normally one of the first to call out trades ripping people off, but that price to have that issue fixed on a Sunday doesn't seem too bad to me. You'll be charged for at least one hour and you have to allow for their travel time to and from your place.

    My daughter who is at Uni works in a cafe part time. She also gets paid more for Sundays than other days.

  • kaboom mel on 25/10/2023 - 18:50

    Either Sunday or not, the point is that trades charge an arm and a leg. Yes one can argue that they bring the skills and experience, but everything has to be relative. A surgeon also brings skills and experience but is bringing something that takes years to master vs someone who has learnt it on the job as an apprentice or in a tafe.

    The fact is that tradies charge high prices because they can get away with it, the Australian population is ready to pay as per the comments above and others have no other option as major chunk of population has moved towards white collar skills.

    Today 21 year old tradies are wealthy driving expensive cars, putting down deposits for nice house while paying very little tax. Compare that to an IT or a doctor who studies a lot longer and mostly have a PAYG job. Yes you can't generalize but every tradie that comes to my house prefers cash and dodging the tax man is every way possible while still charging a very premium price.

    • curtturtle on 25/10/2023 - 19:08

      That is a super boomer take.

      Plumbers take 6 years of school to become licensed. They learn through an apprenticeship much like doctors do during their residency.

      A surgeon also charges a lot more than a tradie. The government or your insurance picks up 95% of the bill if not completely. If you invest in insurance like RACV emergency cover they'll also cover the tradie in an emergency. People just don't want to plan and then bitch when they get a bill.

      • helpme on 26/10/2023 - 07:49
        +2

        Plumbers take 6 years of school to become licensed
        While being paid, surgeon is at least 10 years, and more if you include VCE while accumulating hecs debt.

        Also pharmacists, nurses, chefs? There's also the fact that to be a surgeon, you have to be very very intelligent, I'd argue there's less people capable of being surgeons than there is tradies.

        The arguments people make here can be made for any profession. Have you seen how undercover CEO's struggle in the most basic jobs? Most jobs are skilled jobs, not just trade. Most jobs require training to become licensed. And most people can't do most jobs, hence why people specialise in jobs because it allows us to do more as a society.

        Pharmacists study for 5 years unpaid, do work placement unpaid, know more about drugs than doctors, and don't get anywhere near what tradies make. Considering they're closer to the average pay, I'd say tradies are over paid. They're overpaid because as you can see from the comment section, most people think it's fair.

      • azero on 26/10/2023 - 18:00

        Plumbers take 6 years of school to become licensed. They learn through an apprenticeship much like doctors do during their residency.

        6 Years of fulltime study to be a plumber ? Is it like a PhD in plumbing ?

        This is actually how much a paediatric ENT surgeon charges for a surgery. It was quoted as 1 hr and private. It takes 10+ years to reach that level.

        Adenoids, removal of (including any examination of the… $373.75

        So yeah, that plumber was more expensive than a surgeon.

  • Drakesy on 25/10/2023 - 20:15

    Yep $400 is fair given its a sunday and emergency.

  • Kamsi on 25/10/2023 - 23:01

    $400 is pretty fair, I was charged around $500 on the weekdays for block pipe but they didn't do it right because it block again after 3 month. Eventually, I went to Kennards Hire and rent a snake chain for $139 and unblock it myself.

  • Klogg86 on 25/10/2023 - 23:14

    Had a similar issue. Cost me $280 on a Saturday.
    (I'm in Melbourne)

  • justgooddeals on 26/10/2023 - 00:01

    Private schools, BMW’s and holidays to Europe don’t pay for themselves.

  • kaboom mel on 26/10/2023 - 00:03
    +5

    GPs get compensated $153 dollars for an after hours visit (11pm to 7am) with an average of 20 minutes visit, so even if you times this by 3 and assume 0 additional travel time ( which is actually factored into the Medicare rate) it will come up to $459/ hour. in reality they see 1.5 patients an hour

    Try getting a $459 rate from a plumber in the middle of the night when we find $400 on a Sunday arvo is normal because we have troubled him.

    A GP has a much more extensive and expensive training and higher insurance liabilities. Hence I don’t think paying 400 should be expected. The reality is plumber charge it because they can and one doesn’t have any other option and we say that is the current rate and pay for it like it’s not much money

  • drfuzzy on 26/10/2023 - 03:17
    +1

    That's a shit situation.

  • fozzie on 26/10/2023 - 06:59
    +6

    Tradies make way too much money in Australia. It’s ridiculous

    • JIMB0 on 26/10/2023 - 08:28

      That's because there's too much work and not enough tradies. You'd think with the high wages there'd be more people doing apprenticeships and increasing the supply.

      Yet young people get pushed into going to university where they'll end up with a debt and a lower paying job. Then they complain about how much trades charge when they get them out to do the simplest of jobs that they don't have the skills for.

    • melb5929222 on 27/10/2023 - 10:13

      Just say employer (owner) pays his employee $50 an hour normally.

      Said employee has to come to the call up on a Sunday.

      As per the Fairwork agreement, employer has to pay employee 4 hours minimum double time on a Sunday regardless of how long the job is.

      $50 x 2 (double-time) x 4 hours = $400 (this isn't even including travel time, tool and license allowances, etc)

      Now that is just to cover the wages of an employee, let alone any costs with running the business (van, insurances, profit, tools, materials, overheads)

      I'd suggest learning how to run a successful business first.

      • newbo on 28/10/2023 - 00:58
        -1

        This is a duplicate comment. Tradies are a rort bro.

    • newbo on 28/10/2023 - 00:59
      +1

      They are protected by certifications and the such for things that homeowners should be allowed to do. It is modern day mafia tactics.

  • rogerwilko on 26/10/2023 - 07:51

    I think people are a lot more hands-off now than in previous generations, adding on top of this the aust regulations that stop people from doing anything are helping to generate a crap load of work for the trades.

    Also, I should not lump all trades together as some charge fairly for work e.g. carpenters work hard for their pay from what I see.

    My other question is why do so many people on this forum have blocked pipes? Mostly on the weekends as well.

  • gromit on 26/10/2023 - 08:35

    Seems about right price. It wasn't $400 for less than an hour as that includes the travel time there and back, sunday loading etc.

  • Souljarh on 26/10/2023 - 08:38

    sounds cheap, tbh

  • [Deactivated] on 26/10/2023 - 09:18

    Lesson no.1 of home ownership - never ever call someone shows up in "local plumber" or the like in Google

    Reminds me the first plumber I called in (was Jim's) practically did nothing and charged me $200 for 15 or 30 minutes block charge and he included the time typing quote into his computer with 10 keystrokes per minute speed.

  • mavis30551 on 26/10/2023 - 09:35
    +3

    $547 on Wednesday For a plumber to go out to my rental to tighten a toilet seat and replace the shower hose (with a plastic most likely $20 shower hose).

  • 191919 on 26/10/2023 - 09:51
    +2

    its shocking how many tradie apologists there are out there

  • zbys on 26/10/2023 - 10:18
    +1

    Something I didn't notice in the discussion here is if the issue was the responsibility of the water authority you might be able to put a reimbursement claim in with them and get your money back. I would get a report from the plumber stating where the blockage was and contact your water authority.

    • newbo on 27/10/2023 - 13:29

      How much more do they want to charge for that?

  • ThadtheChad on 26/10/2023 - 10:19

    OP, trades are expensive in Australia largely due to high labour costs. In most countries with access to large vocationally-skilled labour resources (e.g. US, Europe etc) this would be a relatively inexpensive gig.

    There is a demand-supply mismatch and hence the pricing. This is also why specialised white collar vs getting into vocational training can result in very similar financial outcomes.

    Having said that, this is unsustainable in the long term and the status quo would shift with a policy change in immigration or change in regulations.

    =====================
    Edit:

    To the original question:

    Yes the $400 was absolutely fine mate. We had a mixer tap replaced along with one of the supply tubes. I was very tempted to DIY this, but the regulations are not clear on whether I'm allowed to change this kit; so we got a plumber who charged us ~$800 for this (~1 hr) work which seemed quite steep but in line with the fleecing that is typical in my area.

  • TSH on 26/10/2023 - 12:04
    +1

    Prices reflect these untouchable union protected scum.
    Lots of vag flapping on experience, skills and "outcomes based systems" (WTF?)

    • MessyG on 27/10/2023 - 17:35

      Well. Those certainly were words.

  • jar-unit on 26/10/2023 - 13:16
    +2

    I paid $380 for something similar. Tradies are a rort these days

    • melb5929222 on 27/10/2023 - 10:08
      -4

      Just say employer (owner) pays his employee $50 an hour normally.

      Said employee has to come to the call up on a Sunday.

      As per the Fairwork agreement, employer has to pay employee 4 hours minimum double time on a Sunday regardless of how long the job is.

      $50 x 2 (double-time) x 4 hours = $400 (this isn't even including travel time, tool and license allowances, etc)

      Now that is just to cover the wages of an employee, let alone any costs with running the business (van, insurances, profit, tools, materials, overheads)

      Tradies are a rort?! What a joke. I suggest learning how to run a successful business before making these types of comments

  • jedimaster on 26/10/2023 - 15:52
    +1

    title should be

    Am I Being F*****d ? Plumber ploughing Me

  • ytthr on 26/10/2023 - 16:14

    I had my main drain block and plumber charged me $425 and left a BIG mess.

    Next time (few years later) I used RACV emergency home assist and they were brilliant.

  • xavster on 26/10/2023 - 19:38

    In Sydney, $350 for a jet and extra if have to use camera. Plumber + apprentice on site. 45mins.

    I get a few of my properties done yearly.

    Considering it was a Sunday, I'd say it's about right.

  • notallthere on 26/10/2023 - 22:17
    +3

    That’s the trades mate, bunch of scamming pricks.

  • umoddbro on 26/10/2023 - 22:40

    I had someone come service my garage roller door… he came had a look sprayed the springs a bit all up less than 10 mins and it was $200. I should've got into a trade job instead.

  • Cave Fire on 27/10/2023 - 02:32

    Cheap/average… Emergency is a different rate. Around $200 callout fee? Regular plumber might be $100+ callout then $85 an hour? Might vary on area as well

  • dharmesht on 27/10/2023 - 06:58

    I was charged $550 for clearing the storm water pipes using high pressure water snake and this was weekday. I think OP was lucky to have charged just $400 :-)

  • toomanychelles on 27/10/2023 - 07:28

    Happened to me. Council disputed that it was their problem when they came out, although the block was well beyond our property line. Plumber had been out and confirmed the block wasn't on our property. Had to get the Council out 3 times before they accepted responsibility. Problem was caused by tree further down the line on neighbours property. It was probaby easier to get the plumber to do it.

  • Bullion78 on 27/10/2023 - 07:46

    In line with what id expect on a Sunday. I had to call out a plumber in an emergency one Sunday night about 15 years ago and it cost me that for the same amount of time.

  • Shiny Mew on 27/10/2023 - 08:04

    I don't see working on a Sunday as any different to working on a Saturday, and indeed plenty of professionals (eg lawyers and teachers) have to regularly do work on weekends, for free… Surprising so many people here would not want to work on a Sunday and actually get paid well for it.

  • supperman on 27/10/2023 - 08:34

    Hey OP, I had a similar incident a few years back. Blocked in the mains from inspection point. Got the bill from the plumber for an unsuccessful snaking but got reimbursed by Sydney Water. Hope that helps.

  • melb5929222 on 27/10/2023 - 10:05
    -1

    As a trade myself, you've got it quite cheap.

    Just say employer (owner) pays his employee $50 an hour normally.

    Said employee has to come to the call up on a Sunday.

    As per the Fairwork agreement, employer has to pay employee 4 hours minimum double time on a Sunday regardless of how long the job is.

    $50 x 2 (double-time) x 4 hours = $400 (this isn't even including travel time, tool and license allowances, etc)

    Now that is just to cover the wages of an employee, let alone any costs with running the business (van, insurances, profit, tools, materials, overheads)

    • singlemalt72 on 27/10/2023 - 10:12

      Thanks

    • kaboom mel on 27/10/2023 - 10:50
      -1

      Well that is just a way to justify it and assuming the plumber is just doing one job that day. In reality, it is a self-employed tradie who is coming over to make a nice quick buck and will be happy to take cash for his effort.

      Also, the proposed business model is the worst of all as it doesn't do any economies of scale. If i was a business offering Sunday services, i would make the rate competitive and have the plumber available for all day (if i have to pay for 4 hours anyway, then why shouldn't i make him work for that). I can bet you if the business gets another call within that 4 hour, they will not charge the second person less and still charge 400 bucks.

      We make the fact it was a weekend a big deal. We have nurses, servos attendees, airport staff, taxis work night shifts on weekends, and they are no way close to getting 400/hour. Plus during the day, we have numerous people working in shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants, fast food etc. getting that much for their entire 8-hour shift. I will argue that a chef /nurse working on a Sunday night also has the similar level of a skill and experience and doesn't charge 400/hour

      • melb5929222 on 27/10/2023 - 17:08
        -3

        I'm just saying that an owner of a plumbing business must pay that as per the award.
        Charging anything less would be losing money on a weekend callout.

        Most professions you listed there would absolutely get 200% if that shift fell during overtime and in fact would be getting 200% for a full 8 hrs

        My partner is a nurse. If she was paid $50 an hour as a nurse, did her 40hr week and then picked up a shift which was overtime it would be at double time for a full 8hr shift.

        • rogerwilko on 27/10/2023 - 20:18

          No, this is not correct, nuses are underpaid for what they do, maybe your partner gets paid like this but most nurses fall under an award that dictates when the penalty rates apply. I would rather pay any nurse $435 for 35 minutes of work due to the stress they are put under.

          • melb5929222 on 28/10/2023 - 20:26
            -1

            @rogerwilko: I am absolutely correct.

            Almost all awards are the same. Hospitality for example

            MA000009 - Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020

            28.4 Overtime rate

            Table 13—Overtime rates

            Column 1
            For overtime worked on
            Column 2
            Overtime rate
            (% of ordinary hourly rate)
            Monday to Friday—first 2 hours
            150%
            Monday to Friday—after 2 hours
            200%
            Midnight Friday to midnight Sunday
            200%
            Rostered day off
            200%

            If a nurse, chef or barista worked a 40hr week Mon - Fri then was called in on a day off for an extra shift they would be paid 2x for the whole shift.

            Its no different to the plumber who has worked a 40hr week then is called in on a Sunday to unclog your drain. They are paid accordingly.

      • newbo on 28/10/2023 - 13:04

        Tradies are the GODS of Australia. Bow down peasant.

        • easternculture on 28/10/2023 - 13:53

          Or watch a few DIY videos for simple to some moderate work.

    • rogerwilko on 27/10/2023 - 12:00

      What fair work agreement states this? Do you have a link?

      • melb5929222 on 27/10/2023 - 17:02
        -1

        Part 5—Overtime and Penalty Rates

        Day
        Full-time and part-time employees
        % ordinary hourly rate
        Casual employees

        % ordinary hourly rate

        Monday to Friday—all employees
        First 2 hours
        150
        175

        After 2 hours
        200
        225

        Saturday—sprinkler fitters
        200
        225

        Saturday—plumbing and mechanical services employees, irrigation installer employees
        First 2 hours
        150
        175

        After 2 hours
        200
        225

        After 12 noon
        200
        225

        Sunday—all employees
        200
        225

        Public holidays—all employees
        250
        275

        Work commenced after midnight and before start of ordinary hours
        200
        225

        22.1 (c)

        An employee required to work on a Sunday or a public holiday will be given at least 4 hours of work.

  • chuneeperformance on 27/10/2023 - 10:17

    What car do you have parked in the driveway?

  • Kegsta on 27/10/2023 - 11:21
    +3

    That's cheap for a Sunday. I just got the same job done at my place on a weekday with a 4 day lead time.

    Mine did take a bit over an hour as they used a root cutter attachment.
    My bill was
    2x $100 for main plumber which was reasonable.
    2x $60 for an apprentice who literally just watched, smoked and pissed in my back yard.
    Plus GST
    $352

    • lordezekiel on 27/10/2023 - 15:18

      Which bit of that was reasonable?

      • knasty on 27/10/2023 - 16:37

        The GST

        • Kegsta on 27/10/2023 - 18:53

          2 hours work charged for $100 an hour for a qualified plumber using auger, camera, tree root cutting tool and providing advice on other plumbing questions I had for my house sounds reasonable to me.

          A Gardner charges $70 an hour these days so an extra $30 for a plumber with those tools sifting through a bio hazard of my shit seems ok to me.

          The tag along apprentice that did nothing was the only bit I was unhappy about.

  • newbo on 27/10/2023 - 13:21

    It is what makes Australia amazing. Paying a man with a $20 tool, $400 on a Sunday for half an hour of his time with your…

  • lordezekiel on 27/10/2023 - 15:17

    Last time i had a trade come out to fix a fridge on a weekday, the intial quote price was about $100, the job went smoothly, replaced a temp sensor in about 15 mins then he went beep boop beep on his phone calculator and it was suddenly $230… i only paid $80 for the fridge in the first place, didnt want an angry tradie in the middle of my house so i just paid him his outrageous, suddenly increased price but wtf man, that was some bullshit.

    • freedoom on 27/10/2023 - 15:40

      and people wonder why house prices keep increasing, easy entry jobs with no investment or degree get the big bucks

    • kiwimex on 28/10/2023 - 21:48
      -1

      Thats cheap…would you drive to someones home replace a part that you carried in stock then return to your base for $100? come on thats laughable.

  • Wifi on 27/10/2023 - 15:59

    That's cheap.i got charged $600 for similar work and it wasn't even emergency or weekend

  • N15 on 27/10/2023 - 16:52
    +1

    Ask for a quote on call out and min labour charges before proceeding so you have an expectation and avoid bill shock. Understand the urgency but try get at least 3 quotes if you can. Also ask friends if they can recommend someone for the job.

  • MessyG on 27/10/2023 - 17:34
    -1

    I actually think that's about right for an emergency call out on a Sunday. It's a messy and dangerous job that requires training, transport, and equipment. And insurance. Most people can't do it and the people who make it look easy and do a good job are usually highly skilled and/or experienced.

    • rogerwilko on 27/10/2023 - 20:46

      Dangerous job? How? Op cleaned up the mess as well.
      Most jobs require training. Transport is not uncommon for a job in some way or form.

  • Sammyboy on 27/10/2023 - 20:10
    +4

    Ironic how the trades on here are saying they have to give up their weekend or evening, family time etc etc. At the end of the day, no one is twisting your hand behind your back to do these hours. There's plenty of work during the day. There's a shortage of tradies for house builds etc. The fact is you are doing it because you can spare the time and can charge a fortune for the service. Bring on the negs

  • paulojr on 28/10/2023 - 01:59
    +1

    Based on the description and nature of the work being so small, I think its a steep price, plumbers in Melbourne will have anywhere between a $0 to $150 call out fee including some work (charged mainly if they don't want repeat business), then a rate of between $80-$110 per hour for their labour. Any more than that they are a rip off.

    Some try and charge for use of their tools such as the snake machine you mentioned, but that's like a computer programmer charging the additional fee to pay for his laptop computer as if you were hiring it for him to use. I have dealt with a plumber recently with this arrogant attitude and the counter argument is you can hire the machines yourself for less than these sorts of costs..

    So a good plumber probably should charge you about $150-$200 and not hit you with a call out but trouble is finding a decent plumber these days, you've got to call around, chat to them and get a feel for their attitude and pricing. I've found little luck with service seeker type tools finding better tradies.

    There is really no rules about whether a weekend is more expensive or not, I've used plumbers that prefer to schedule some jobs on the weekend so they can get more work, again may come down to urgency and if they want to extra a premium from you for coming out quickly. This is really just demand driven.

    Something you should check, did did the plumber propose you send the bill to the water service provider to reclaim the cost? He should have if he verified the issue was the councils problem and especially at the fee he charged you.

    Also.. if you think the plumber has acted inappropriately you can report them to the VBA. Plenty of unlicensed people around and those without current training. If they are not pricing properly and especially not stating fees up front, could suggest they also are not licensed so I'd be double checking.

  • thenavman on 28/10/2023 - 03:30

    Given inflation and shortage of tradesmen, $400 for a weekend callout is fairly reasonable. Generally speaking, the way I perceive it, you’re not paying them for their labour. You’re paying them for their skill and knowledge, something that’s taken them years to acquire. You’re also paying for their high-end work tools which cost a lot of $$.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 28/10/2023 - 10:29

    Honestly sounds cheap forn a sunday

    Wtf do people expect him to charge you? 35mins of work plus he probably had to drive 20-40mins to the job

    Ive paid 100 bucks for plumbers to turn up during the week to give me a quote and not even do any work

    I'd imagine on the weekend the call out fee would be at least 200

  • rogerwilko on 28/10/2023 - 10:33

    Do trades people have a special price for other trades people? Maybe put on some high vis and see if the price changes.

  • easternculture on 28/10/2023 - 10:33

    The high end jetter that most plumber use cost $30k plus.

    $400 for someone to clean your shit is cheap. Ive heard people paying $1000 plus to unblock sewers with a jetter.

  • Oofy Doofy on 28/10/2023 - 10:47

    Did he use the normal drain snake? Or the AQUAJET aka WE MUST CHARGE YOU 3X MORE BECAUSE THIS MACHINE COSTS A LOT OF MONEY YOU KNOW!

    The reality is that everything is too expensive in Australia. Talk about the new guilded age, jesus.

  • kiwimex on 28/10/2023 - 21:46

    I have my own plumbing business in Brisbane. If I was called out to this job your costs would have been. $70 call out fee. $275 for the jetter for the first hour including labour, plus minimum 4 hours…so that would be an additional 3 hrs labour @ $120 / hr Total cost would be $710 plus gst and this would also include a CCTV inspection of the pipe work if required and I could be onsite for up to 4hrs. With respect to the work carried out you are paying not just for his time, experience, equipment…you are paying for the outcome. He has cleared your blockage on a Sunday….why didn't you wait till Monday? I recently complete da job for a client who got another plumber out to unblock a drain, they came out on Sunday evening and said they couldn't do anything till the morning…they returned removed a toilet pan and cleared the blockage with a jetter. Two guys were there for 2.5hrs and they used $50 in materials….the bill was $3200.00 This work was completed by Metropolitan Plumbing. The price you have received is way too cheap! you should be a very happy customer.

    • rogerwilko on 01/11/2023 - 06:27

      So if people are paying for 4 hours labour due to the minimum 4 hour required work, should the consumer be able to request the plumber do additional plumbing tasks for upto 4 hours?

      • JIMB0 on 01/11/2023 - 07:50

        Of course you can, you're paying the bill. They'll probably get out of it by saying they don't have the parts to do the job or some other excuse.

      • kiwimex on 02/11/2023 - 23:07

        100% you could ask for other jobs to be undertaken. But don't expect the plumber to carry exact parts to complete the additional works. also remember the 4hrs would have to include travel to and from your residence.

    • easternculture on 01/11/2023 - 16:53

      If they tell me min 4 hr pay, id says im going to the bank to withdraw money. Then go do my errands and shopping and come back at the 4hr mark for them to get paid.

      • kiwimex on 02/11/2023 - 23:09

        Wow then you would have to pay additional time for the plumbers travel too and from your property as you used up your 4hrs trying to be a smart arse!

        • easternculture on 03/11/2023 - 12:21

          If plumber wants to be smart arse, so can i.

          Wouldnt be paying his travel as they should include that in the quote already. Not my problem if they didnt. They can file a claim at fair trading.

          A plumber tried to be a smart arse, over charged me and had the nerve to ask for cash. He actually said cash only. I told him i didnt state that in the quote. I then said ill pay you cash if you deduct GST and $50 off the quote. He refused. So i paid him via payid and got him to issue an invoice beforehand.

          In another job, i had a guy do some gas work for me. He quoted me $2000 less than the other 5 quotes i got. After he finished the job, i gave him $250 extra because he was a honest top bloke.

          Moral of the story is customer can be smart arse too, and in reality they have the upperhand.

          • Rahonui on 04/11/2023 - 10:01
            -1

            @easternculture: "Wouldnt be paying his travel as they should include that in the quote already. Not my problem if they didnt. They can file a claim at fair trading."

            That is clearly included in the 4 hour minimum.. if you hold it up so they spend 4 hours on site, expect to pay a 6 hour labour charge on the invoice lol. Forget fair trading, justice is usually a bit quicker than that and you can have a good cry when they undo the work on the spot when you refuse to pay properly!

            • easternculture on 04/11/2023 - 14:08
              -1

              @Rahonui: Legally they cannot once they exit the house and are off the property. Without consent, from the gate its trespassing and can have legal implications, including fines and imprisonment (unless they have photographic proof of the work they did, it becomes vandalism).

              Legally, all they can do is take you to small claims court, and probably end up settling with $10 a week until amount is paid

              • Rahonui on 05/11/2023 - 09:01
                -1

                @easternculture: And legally if you dont pay them, thats theft. You cant just twist everything around to suit your perspective and get out of paying. You sound like a nightmare to deal with. I'd put money on it that you have issues with most interactions you have aye

                • easternculture on 05/11/2023 - 12:15
                  -1

                  @Rahonui: Its not theft if we disagree on the original amount etc. Thats a dispute. Disputes get resolved in the small claims court. Plus if there is no signed contract, small claims court will side with you.

                • easternculture on 05/11/2023 - 17:11
                  -1

                  @Rahonui:

                  You sound like a nightmare to deal with. I'd put money on it that you have issues with most interactions you have aye

                  Incorrect. Now i have everything in writing, sms or email before any tradie does any work for me. And make it clear that i wont pay any extra unless discussed with me beforehand before they start the job. I take personal pics along the way too to have proof of what they did before, during and after.
                  I caught a tradie impersonating (representing) a company by wearing their shirt. He didnt do the right work. When i called the company on the shirt they said he had been fired months ago. I got my money back when i threatened him i would go to fair trading (if he wouldnt come and fix the job) and sent him the pics taken by myself.

            • rogerwilko on 06/11/2023 - 19:33

              @Rahonui: I don't think your helping your argument. It sounds like your saying that trades will rip you off regardless of the situation.

              • Rahonui on 06/11/2023 - 20:11
                -1

                @rogerwilko: How so? All i was saying is that people need to be paid for the job that they do, and if not then expect to have the work undone. Especially if someone starts disputing and threatening to go through fair trading/court etc straight away. For smaller jobs its easier to rip it all out and lose a day or 2 wage than try to fight it

                • easternculture on 06/11/2023 - 20:34
                  -2

                  @Rahonui: Lol rip it all out. What part of vandalism do you not understand.

                  You cant just undo a job because of a dispute in payment. There are processes in place.

                  Ive heard stories from my tradie mates of people who lost tens of thousands after being ordered by a magistrate to fix damages due to this mentality.

                  But if your a tradie, have a go and let us know the outcome.

                  • Rahonui on 07/11/2023 - 10:27
                    -1

                    @easternculture: I cant telling if you're an actual idiot, or just argumentative? I'm not talking about vandalising anything. If there's an agreed price, the customer refuses to pay, then you're within your rights to take the goods with you. Just because something has been installed, doesn't mean its being vandalised by being uninstalled. Clearly if there is a enforceable contract rather than an accepted quote, it's not so straightforward, but in that case good luck trying to get out of payment when you have signed a contract. As I said, you're just cherry picking and twisting things around to suit your narrative, nightmare client.

                    • easternculture on 07/11/2023 - 12:36
                      -2

                      @Rahonui: I cant tell if your stupid or just intellectually challenged.

                      The argument is if they decide to overcharge without discussing first or dont do the right job.

                      In this case they either take agreed amount +/-complete the job correctly or challenge it in the small claims court.

                      The initial argument was if they want to charge minimum 4 hrs, they stay for 4hrs even if they finish the job in 10 min

  • ECE on 05/11/2023 - 09:05

    No, you should pay.

    • rogerwilko on 07/11/2023 - 21:54
      +2

      I think the question was regarding if the op being ripped off, not if they should pay or not.

  • cupcake on 08/11/2023 - 13:24

    Fair price I think.

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