Changing HWB taps tomorrow, need some pricing advice please.

[armyash]

I spoke to him this morning and I said due to the time constraints that it would be best that they asked someone else to take a look who can promise it will be done on time. I said that it was very unlikely to be completed in 1 hour without having seen the job. I also said that if they don't have it sorted by Monday (I'm working this weekend) then I would be more than happy to do it after taking a look. As the bloke is a Sergeant at my regiment I thought best to let him go to someone else rather than attempt the job myself and annoy them by not having it done quick enough.

The job is something I can handle but I'm not putting myself in that position where it HAS to be completed in 1 hour. He is the landlord and he said the tenant wanted me there at 12 and done by 1. Looking back through our conversation on text he also said "it should only take half an hour" I'm glad he let me know that haha. I replied there's no guarantees that it can be completed in that time but that it would cost £30 regardless of the time. Can't say fairer than that.

Not heard anything back since this morning so he either thinks I'm useless or he got it sorted. Either way it's no skin off my nose, I feel I went about things the right way.

 

[Guest123]

Good call Ash.

 

[GQuigley67]

90% of the time its a straightforward job but there are some horrors out there, going in blind and promising it be done in under an hour is risky

 

[GQuigley67]

you made the right call

 

[CES]

I agree, "should only take..." jobs usually have a "pain-in-the-arse-multiplication-factor" attached to them... Good call Ash, you're learning the business side of things not only the practical..

 

[armyash]

Thanks for the advice guys. Changing a set of taps is no problem but as you guys have said it could turn out to be a horrific job though if there were any problems. Had it not have been for the 1 hour set to do the job I would have happily done it.

 

[GQuigley67]

why the small time window ? is it a brothel and losing too much money during the hour haha

tenant being unreasonable imho

 

[armyash]

why the small time window ? is it a brothel and losing too much money during the hour haha

tenant being unreasonable imho

Not sure, to be honest if a customer tells me how long the job is going to take then chances are I'll always turn them away unless they can listen to reason because they are going to be more hassle than they are worth and I doubt getting money off them is going to be fun.

 

[Leo21]

I always find its best to be firm and to the point with customers who are not flexible and try and dictate times, tell you how easy a job is etc. firstly your the man with the knowledge. Secondly if you don't you'll be jumping brought hoops before you know it.

 

[billybob150811]

good call ash dont ever set a time limit for getting taps out of basins worst case they could bet set in red lead and they are a horror, can be got out very carefully with a the correct size starritt cutter but the weakest material in this is the basin, and its the most likely to break unless you take your time. guys here agree with your price and we can go with the herd i always point out that the basin is a piece of pottery and can have flaws in it point out as your a competent plumber its not as easy as it might seem this is where the professional (you) come in

 

[armyash]

Good words thanks billybob150811.

 

[Resolute]

I've changed taps in 15 mins before, but then I've also changed taps that've taken 2 hours+. You never know what could go wrong or an airlock or something. I also hate being rushed and put under time pressures like that as that's when mistakes creep in so I think you've made the best decision.

 

[armyash]

Thanks. Without the time pressure I would have happily done the job even if it turned into a nightmare would have been good to do for the experience.

 

[peteheat]

That was the right call, customer has probably been watching too many You Tube videos and the type who thinks he can throw you a twenty if it takes less than an hour and bawl you out if it takes longer than the hour.

The police here (gardai) own a lot of rental properties I never liked even pricing a job for them, never met one who turned up in civilian clothes as if their uniform is supposed to get them favorable rates, strange but they all seemed to be able to put their own ideas as to the time the job would take.

You must be comfortable when doing any job, if it takes longer than you thought then you are learning for the next time, having someone stand over you = nightmare stuff.