Can I change Plumber once started?

RockBadger

Hi. I purchased a condensing oil boiler/tank just before Christmas. I am still waiting to have it all set up. The guy I have asked to do the job has been coming infrequently. Indeed when he finally made a start around March (half an hours work making a base for boiler with a few blocks/cement) he did not return for nine weeks. The problem, the man is a semi-retired plumber and has back problems and lung problems and drops by every couple of weeks to look inside the boiler(again!) and talk about hurling/politics!
In that time I have moved the boiler onto its base. I have moved the oil tank into position onto a base I was told to make. I dug 20 ft trench for the boiler/tank pipe.
The two pipes from house are about 2 ft from boiler base.
In the last month he has given me the price for the job €470 incl. materials. I told him to go ahead, but this doesn't include wiring work to timer. He states he wont recommend an electrician either as he doesn't want responsibility there if anything goes wrong.
Out of curiosity I went online (Tradesmen.ie) and the average price I got for the job is €200/250 from qualified RGI plumbers with very good ratings and including electrical work. Plus, they would have the job done in a day!
I'm just wondering can I and is it bad of me to ask the other guy just give me the bill for the bit of work hes done so far. He has the materials and has told me he has bent some of the pipes for the job and has said he will definitely come before the weekend.
Its my own tough, I should have went online first, but a neighbour gave me his number and I really didn't think there would be much difference in price( or that it would drag out so long!!)
I'm a bit anxious when it comes to these situations and hate to fall out with anyone, especially as hes a local guy and I'm newish to area. Any advice much appreciated. Thanks.

BoatMad

RockBadger wrote: »

Hi. I purchased a condensing oil boiler/tank just before Christmas. I am still waiting to have it all set up. The guy I have asked to do the job has been coming infrequently. Indeed when he finally made a start around March (half an hours work making a base for boiler with a few blocks/cement) he did not return for nine weeks. The problem, the man is a semi-retired plumber and has back problems and lung problems and drops by every couple of weeks to look inside the boiler(again!) and talk about hurling/politics!
In that time I have moved the boiler onto its base. I have moved the oil tank into position onto a base I was told to make. I dug 20 ft trench for the boiler/tank pipe.
The two pipes from house are about 2 ft from boiler base.
In the last month he has given me the price for the job €470 incl. materials. I told him to go ahead, but this doesn't include wiring work to timer. He states he wont recommend an electrician either as he doesn't want responsibility there if anything goes wrong.
Out of curiosity I went online (Tradesmen.ie) and the average price I got for the job is €200/250 from qualified RGI plumbers with very good ratings and including electrical work. Plus, they would have the job done in a day!
I'm just wondering can I and is it bad of me to ask the other guy just give me the bill for the bit of work hes done so far. He has the materials and has told me he has bent some of the pipes for the job and has said he will definitely come before the weekend.
Its my own tough, I should have went online first, but a neighbour gave me his number and I really didn't think there would be much difference in price( or that it would drag out so long!!)
I'm a bit anxious when it comes to these situations and hate to fall out with anyone, especially as hes a local guy and I'm newish to area. Any advice much appreciated. Thanks.

I suspect you do not have the upper hand here , so after paying the first guy " off" , you're unlikely to make any significant savings.

Most plumbing is a rip off, they are making 30-50 % on the materials and then charging you install time on top of that

MOD NOTE: Your last line could be mistaken for trolling and is at least inflammatory.

K.Flyer

BoatMad wrote: »

I suspect you do not have the upper hand here , so after paying the first guy " off" , you're unlikely to make any significant savings.

Most plumbing is a rip off, they are making 30-50 % on the materials and then charging you install time on top of that

Thats a bit of a scathing generalisation.
Why don't you go do the training, buy all the equipment, get a van etc etc etc if theres so much money to be made.
If it was as simple as that and as profitable as you make out, how come more people aren't doing it, even yourself. :rolleyes:

@O.P.
It doesn't sound like he is bothered.
Cut your losses, it sounds like it will be winter again before you get this job finished.
Call the original guy and say you need it Completely Finished by (give time frame, e.g. by end of next week) as you need it wrapped up in order to get on with other things.
Tell him if he is not finished by end of next week you have someone else who can finish the job in a day and you want it finished as it has gone on too long.
He will either turn up or he won't. But expect to pay pro-rata for what he did do.

RockBadger

Thanks for the replies. I don't mind paying for a job well done but when it costs twice as much and twice as long..........you get the picture.

K.Flyer

RockBadger wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I don't mind paying for a job well done but when it costs twice as much and twice as long..........you get the picture.

Just pay first person off for what they have done, pay second person to finish it.
Might be a slight loss on it, but at least it gets the jonb done and finished.
From what you described I would think give no more than a hundred or so to the first guy and get the second crew in to finish it off, which means you could be saving money as they are doing the electrics as well.

Tom44

Original plumber shouldn't be upset that you are thinking that you might have to get somebody else in giving his circumstance.
99% of plumbers are good, honest and understanding.
We wouldn't last in business if we weren't.

Dtp1979

Ate these new guys charging 200 for a day Incl materials?
Plus, RGI has nothing to do with oil. Any decent plumber should be able to wire the Boiler.

RockBadger

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Ate these new guys charging 200 for a day Incl materials?
Plus, RGI has nothing to do with oil. Any decent plumber should be able to wire the Boiler.

When I contacted the other plumbers they had asked if I had the materials and I told them I hadn't, so I cant be sure really.
I guess what I'm really asking here in a nutshell, Is €470 excessive for this job?

Dtp1979

RockBadger wrote: »

When I contacted the other plumbers they had asked if I had the materials and I told them I hadn't, so I cant be sure really.
I guess what I'm really asking here in a nutshell, Is €470 excessive for this job?

I doubt that's including a powerflush. I'd say 470 is cheap. Nearly too cheap. Who ever is charging you 200 is a cowboy.

K.Flyer

RockBadger wrote: »

When I contacted the other plumbers they had asked if I had the materials and I told them I hadn't, so I cant be sure really.
I guess what I'm really asking here in a nutshell, Is €470 excessive for this job?

What exactly did he quote you the 470 euro for?

RockBadger

K.Flyer wrote: »

What exactly did he quote you the 470 euro for?

The quote is for labour and materials. Are you saying this price includes/should include a powerflush?

Dtp1979

RockBadger wrote: »

The quote is for labour and materials. Are you saying this price includes/should include a powerflush?

Generally but a powerflush would be that price alone so I doubt he's doing it for free.
Pump, valves, piping, fittings, lagging, wire, frost stat in some cases, labour and commissioning of boiler should be at lest 600

K.Flyer

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Generally but a powerflush would be that price alone so I doubt he's doing it for free.
Pump, valves, piping, fittings, lagging, wire, frost stat in some cases, labour and commissioning of boiler should be at lest 600

New oil boiler installation, dont forget new Mag Filter, new fuel filter and remote acting fire valve.
Another couple of hundred euro.

I think both quotes are way way off the mark.

Dtp1979

K.Flyer wrote: »

New oil boiler installation, dont forget new Mag Filter, new fuel filter and remote acting fire valve.
Another couple of hundred euro.

I think both quotes are way way off the mark.

True yes.

RockBadger

All the plumber asked I purchase was the boiler (firebird with rielo burner), Oil tank and a Grundfos pump. So I dont know if any of the above mentioned are included in his pricing. I suppose Ill just have to ask him, its the only way to be sure.

Tom44

RockBadger wrote: »

All the plumber asked I purchase was the boiler (firebird with rielo burner), Oil tank and a Grundfos pump. So I dont know if any of the above mentioned are included in his pricing. I suppose Ill just have to ask him, its the only way to be sure.

Ask in your plumbing supplies (where you bought the boiler) for recommendations. Preferably 3
Their not going to recommended somebody dishonest.

BoatMad

Thats a bit of a scathing generalisation.
Why don't you go do the training, buy all the equipment, get a van etc etc etc if theres so much money to be made.
If it was as simple as that and as profitable as you make out, how come more people aren't doing it, even yourself.

Having done all my plumbing for over 20 years and three houses , including complicated systems, I stand by what I said. I have countless quotes that I can compare to material costs and hence deduce labour

I buy plumbing at trade prices

The point of a Van etc , is these are recovered from the labour cost,

Mod: I apologise for using the term " rip-off " ,

Let me use , " uncompetitive " instead

I can easily get a carpenter to work for about 120-150 a day , I can never get a plumber for that

Wearb

BoatMad wrote: »

Having done all my plumbing for over 20 years and three houses , including complicated systems, I stand by what I said. I have countless quotes that I can compare to material costs and hence deduce labour

I buy plumbing at trade prices

The point of a Van etc , is these are recovered from the labour cost,

Mod: I apologise for using the term " rip-off " ,

Let me use , " uncompetitive " instead

I can easily get a carpenter to work for about 120-150 a day , I can never get a plumber for that

MOD NOTE: Standing over you what you said even though slightly modified is keeping in the same tone. Don't post in this thread again.