Boiler Replacement Quote - Labour

[Lexden]

I have just turned down a quote for a replacement boiler and I regret having to do so as I was confident that the installer would have done a first-class job. My question is this:

The installer has assessed that it will take 4 days to do all the work. (I have no reason to doubt his assessment of the time needed.) What range of daily rates should I expect from an independent installer located outside of a major city/town? (i.e.; not London rates)

If I was wrong to turn down the quote then I am prepared to eat humble pie.

 

[moroswon]

£200- £250 per day + 10% on all materials

 

[Agile]

I give fixed price quotes to install boilers which include labour as well as installation materials and include full backup if there are any issues needing time to attend.

Sounds as if you think that plumbers leave school at 16 and are very thick and should not be paid more than labouring rates!

Tony

 

[45yearsagasman]

Sounds as if you think that plumbers leave school at 16 and are very thick and should not be paid more than labouring rates!

Relentless rudeness

 

[Lexden]

Sounds as if you think that plumbers leave school at 16 and are very thick and should not be paid more than labouring rates!

Tony

I will take that comment in the spirit it was offered. I am happy to pay a fair price for any job that I ask a professional to undertake. That said, I am looking a quote which suggests to me that labour has been charged at somewhere between £500 and £600 per day plus VAT. I say 'between' as I accept that the van etc doesn't pay for itself.

This suggests to me that:

a. The installer really doesn't want to do the job (that I doubt).

b. He can see that, as the installation involves smart controls, there is the potential for callbacks post installation. (He doesn't live around the corner so distance/time is a factor)

Either way, I am now reviewing my requirements, and I will seek out alternative installers for quotes who are situated closer to home.

 

[Agile]

You have not said where you are.

If you are at Lochinver which is 108 miles to the nearest Indian restaurant and probably nearly as far to a plumbing merchant then if any small part or fixing was needed then certainly distance is a factor.

Best to get someone not much further than 10 miles away from his base and from a merchant.

But there is the availability of skilled installers. Many can command those rates because they have built up a good reputation in the area and have plenty of work.

There is unfortunately a public distrust of "plumbers" because a very few rip people off and a few more are not very skilled at some aspects of the work.

You will find that British Gas rates will be at least that much or more!

Tony

 

[Nige F]

Sounds as if you think that plumbers leave school at 16 and are very thick and should not be paid more than labouring rates!

Tony

Used to be true-ish, but that was 1970 Since Gas Safe and "computer controlled" boilers, they are worth a bit more.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Why do home owners think that everything other than the cost of the box is labour ffs?


Tony, give it a rest!

 

[Lexden]

Why do home owners think that everything other than the cost of the box is labour ffs?

Dan - I wasn't trying to start World War III. I appreciate that there is more to a boiler replacement than just the cost of the boiler: indeed, the quote includes a cost for materials which on a simple check online was more than reasonable. The rest has to be primarily labour and the fixed/variable costs of running a business.

All that said, I recognise that an installer has the right to quote based on what he feels the job is worth. As the person who pays the bill, I must then make a simple judgement on whether I am prepared to pay the quoted price. I am not into haggling: it is a simple 'yes/no' decision. Having made it in this case, I am just trying to judge whether I was right to do so.

 

[ianmcd]

Why do home owners think that everything other than the cost of the box is labour ffs?


Tony, give it a rest!

Dan are you saying that we should be charging for pipe, fittings, consumables wear and tear on our tools ,insurances , taxes , registration fees,transport , parking charges,training, calibration of specialist equipment, accountants fees,advertising, phone costs, office costs, staff costs,dont you know that we get all these free

 

[Dan Robinson]

and the fixed/variable costs of running a business.

And do you know what they are? If why not mention them in your title and question?

Having made it in this case, I am just trying to judge whether I was right to do so.

By asking here and giving nothing useful by way of information on the job and quote.

 

[fezster]

With any work where you are unsure of costs, you're best getting a few quotes in and making sure you are comparing like for like (which includes the competency of the person quoting and whether they come with recommendations). Go with the usual "don't pick the highest or lowest quote". You'll always be able to gauge what the quote should be roughly with this approach, and then go with the person who you think will do the best job out of those.

In London, the labour rate for a plumber/GSR engineer is £250/day IME.

 

[PullerGas]

I have just turned down a quote for a replacement boiler and I regret having to do so as I was confident that the installer would have done a first-class job. My question is this:

The installer has assessed that it will take 4 days to do all the work. (I have no reason to doubt his assessment of the time needed.) What range of daily rates should I expect from an independent installer located outside of a major city/town? (i.e.; not London rates)

If I was wrong to turn down the quote then I am prepared to eat humble pie.

I guess this installer is known to you or a recommendation?? The costumer/installer relationship is invaluable, something you can't put a price on. I'm proud of the fact I now have some of my costumers grandkids as customers.

 

[Dan Robinson]

the labour rate for a plumber/GSR engineer is £250/day IME.

And the company rate?

 

[Lexden]

And do you know what they are? If why not mention them in your title and question?



By asking here and giving nothing useful by way of information on the job and quote.

Atag 24 system boiler, flue and wall mounted in same position as original boiler, removal of CH motorised valve (replace with 2 port valve for HWP), removal of existing pump, fitting of ABV and boiler filter plus radiator flushing ( 2 days). wiring changes to connect to existing smart controls. Price ?