[RVJim]

Originally Posted by lmsintx@gmail.com

They charged us $467 to install our kitchen faucet - we provided the faucet! Told us that was their flat rate and refused to provide an itemized statement. The GM, Elvira, was rude and basically told us "tough.'

Flat rate is becoming more and more common with tradesman. I can understand why they do this. It is a simpler billing process and it eliminates the customers that complain about the amount of time or how fast the person worked. My preference is flat rate billing agreed to up front. If I don’t like the price I can do it myself or shop around. Many tradesman won’t install owner supplied parts because the after sale warranty issues become difficult in some cases.

I find it hard to believe a tradesperson would do any work without a signed authorization with a price. If there was a signed authorization, complaining after the fact or refusing to pay isn’t an honest thing to do and won’t get you very far.

[RVJim]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Most likely, they collected the money before they left the house. But, if not, they probably would have turned the OP over to a collection agency. Lots of phone calls and harassment. A better option would be to refuse to pay at all, and make an offer to the company that needs to be accepted in writing. The offer should be based on quotes from other plumbers for a similar project.

Plumbers and other tradesman have lien rights for unpaid work. That is not a place you want to go over a $500 bill especially when, in all likelihood, the work was authorized before it began.

[Freehiker]

I don’t understand. Did you not know the cost before you let them do the work? Surely you didn’t just tell them to install it without asking first, did you?

[airdote22]

AH, well they sounded like very nice people.

[GpaVader]

Not having all the facts as well can change the cost of the installation. You have the installation but did the plumber have to replace any supply lines, what about valves. Those things add time and cost to a project. I just don't know that we have all the information.

[Sabella]

Originally Posted by MrChip72

What's a "fair price" for this though? $200-$300? It's not like you're just paying for a guy for 1-2 hours of his time, there's his training/experience, time/gas driving to your place, vehicle, tools, company overhead, and all that.

I'm sure you can just hire some guy off of Facebook to show up in a beaten up minivan with a couple wrenches and a screwdriver for less, but that's a different thing than hiring a licensed plumber from a company to show up to do work.

Major reputable plumbing companies servicing the villages for many years -average charge for installation of customer provided faucet about $100. Recent experience I had.

[PennBF]

We just had some plumbing work done at our home. It was a number of individual items.
The Plumber spent about 4 hours doing the work and was more than reasonable for the
rate to do everything. We would highly recommend him. His name is Roger Pearce.