Plumbing price

[Ian]

Went to look at a bathroom yesterday and took a mate of mine to price the plumbing side of things. Its a fairly big job, full rip out (I'm going to rip all the old plasterboard off the stud work and replace as I beleive this is the best way to go). I've asked him to price for removing, toilet, sink shower and shower cubicle and replace with good quality but not rediculously priced gear. The only pipework that needs any major work is for the sink, as the client wants it hiding in the stud wall, all other pipework is staying as is. So here's how the price goes; £150 shower tray, £160 shower, £280 shower enclosure, £170 semi-pedestal sink and £145 toilet. Total £905 taps, wastes and fittings all included. I think this is reasonable the part of the price I'm questioning is the labour, correct me if I'm wrong but there is no more than 3 days work here max for a competant plumber and he wants £865 labour so £1770 grand total. I appreciate that no one can see the job I just want to make sure I'm not having my pants pulled down, he's not doing any ripping out other than the sanitary ware and I'm pricing the skip into my budget. Any opinions on this greatly appreciated, thanks Bri.

 

[kilty55]

hiya brian,everyones prices vary but 865 for a re fit is too much if hes subbing to you imo

is he havign to pick up and deliver the suite you have requested also.if so he may be adding on for this which is fair enough

it shouldnt take a plumber 3 days for a swapover bathroom anyway,if it was here brian id be looking to pay 450 to 550 for a swapover labour only i hope this helps

 

[tfs]

seem a bit high if its pretty much straight swap over e.g.

shower simply being replaced

new tray being fitted into existing waste

toilet fitting into existing waste etc

sink into existing wasted (but concealed pipes, pressuming there isnt alot of studs etc to be drilled)

To be fair this guy needs to make profit too but, you could get the work done cheaper if wanted to.

Perhaps he is putting in a half day or even a days labour to cover the removal and isolation on his first visit.

 

[Ian]

hiya brian,everyones prices vary but 865 for a re fit is too much if hes subbing to you imo

is he havign to pick up and deliver the suite you have requested also.if so he may be adding on for this which is fair enough

it shouldnt take a plumber 3 days for a swapover bathroom anyway,if it was here brian id be looking to pay 450 to 550 for a swapover labour only i hope this helps

Yeah thats what I thought, £500 max labour. I'd say he's making a couple of quid on the suite but I expect that. I'll have a word as he's battering my budget and I'm not losing profit because he wants £290 a day.

 

[Ian]

seem a bit high if its pretty much straight swap over e.g.

shower simply being replaced

new tray being fitted into existing waste

toilet fitting into existing waste etc

sink into existing wasted (but concealed pipes, pressuming there isnt alot of studs etc to be drilled)

To be fair this guy needs to make profit too but, you could get the work done cheaper if wanted to.

Perhaps he is putting in a half day or even a days labour to cover the removal and isolation on his first visit.

He's a good plumber and gets me a few jobs but no one is worth £300 a day when its subbed work, or am I being naive?

 

[kilty55]

you could aproach it by tellinh him the budget,see if he can meet it

i had this issue with a mate he was asking for really high prices and i simply told him what i could afford

good luck bri

 

[kilty55]

brian,is it really going to take him 3 full days for a swap?

its more like 1.5 days,half day to remove and sort and pipe changes and a day to re fit

 

[tfs]

He's a good plumber and gets me a few jobs but no one is worth £300 a day when its subbed work, or am I being naive?

Some guys may be worth that but, I think its a bit expensive for this type of installation. I would ask him if he could budge on the price but also offer to supply materials if it makes it easier for him to offer you a btter price. He may be charging as much due to him putting so much money out up front.

Your deffo not wrong in saying that the price is high.

 

[tfs]

how many visits will he need to make to the site Brian?

 

[Ian]

brian,is it really going to take him 3 full days for a swap?

its more like 1.5 days,half day to remove and sort and pipe changes and a day to re fit

Well I've been around long enough to know how long these things take and I think 3 days is very generous! 2 is realistic. Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[Ian]

how many visits will he need to make to the site Brian?

2. One to rip out and move any pipework, and another to do second/final fix.

 

[kilty55]

Well I've been around long enough to know how long these things take and I think 3 days is very generous! 2 is realistic. Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how I get on.

sorry brian,i wasnt meaning you didnt know how long it would take,just imo 865 for max 2 days is too much

 

[Ian]

sorry brian,i wasnt meaning you didnt know how long it would take,just imo 865 for max 2 days is too much

Oh no mate I was agreeing with you!!!! I thought 2 days was about right, I'm glad you agree!!!

 

[tfs]

2. One to rip out and move any pipework, and another to do second/final fix.

So it not even a case of him charging a half day rate each time for having to make multiple visits. You need to make some profit too mate. I would deffo ask if he has room to educe the price.

I know how awkward it can be dealing with these issues when its a friend your dealing with.

Good luck mate

 

[Thespanishtiler]

For that price i will drive down from york and do it for you.

1 day strip out and first fix (at the most)

1 day 2nd fix

materials are minimal cost for this minor work,

why dont you source and supply the suite and make a few quid rather than the plumber? all merchants deliver for free and you can set up a cash account no probs - just get payment up front from client