Log burner liner and fitting - costs?

[Lord V]

I really don't understand your issue? As a civil engineer you will know that fixed fee pricing is common for both consultancy and construction contracts. You were quoted 360 for a whole days work. The fact it took half a day is mainly a bonus for the contractor, not you. You will also know that the way to make money on fixed fee is to do the work as quickly and efficiently as possible. You really can't be mad that someone else also knows this.

You accepted the cost when you signed the contract, it's not opportunism. If it wasn't a fixed fee then go back over the contract and argue it contractually... if you can. I would imagine the 360 was quoted as a minimum charge though.

As a chartered engineer I seriously doubt your charge out rate is less than 80 an hour? And I assume your company pays your subs? Gives you holiday, pension and other benefits? An office to work in? Indemnity insurance? Where do you think the money comes from for that?

 

[kes]

I think I asked a reasonable question, in an entirely reasonable way. Maybe I'm just sensitive but most of the responses are unnecessarily pointed.
Quoting this as a fixed fee means little - there was no contract, no specifics and certainly nothing in writing.
I wont be using the chap for the next log burner I shall simply ask my house renovator for an estimate. I have no problem with a proper tradesman making a reasonable sum. I would have liked the full details beforehand and not the 'full day' smokescreen and I would have chosen someone else. By the way a CO detector and a smoke cartridge don't qualify as additional testing- both took 2 minutes.If thats professional qualification, my names Adolf.
If my fellow stalkers can find such behaviour reasonable, then I am truly unaware whose moral compass is misreading.

 

[biffo]

Chimney lined, register plate fitted both ends , existing log burner,set up. £500 cash , two blokes, all parts included!

 

[windygun]

Adolf, if the 'Co detector' looked anything like this,View attachment 77977 it's actually a flue gas analyser requiring a compulsory qualification to use and interpret the result. The equipment costs £650, requiring an annual calibration and cell change costing £215+ vat, and replacing at year 4. It's also, combined with the flue flow and spillage test (smoke bomb/ match) is the most important part of the WHOLE installation, Now fair enough, if you were quoted for a full days installation and they didn't turn up till 1.30pm as stated, then he obviously knew it wouldn't take a full day but even so the price you've been charged, taking into account the working at height aspect, and if you're happy with the standard of workmanship, the price you've paid for a tradesman and labourer seems totally reasonable and actually on the cheap side given your location. Enjoy your stove and the safe, free heat it's providing!. Regards. D.

 

[plonker]

Right,I'm offering my services as a qualified bricklayer,Have my own insurance run my own van and am self employed.I have a work colleague that will attend with me.Willing to travel 40 miles in any direction from cardiff.
The cost is £360 per half day .I will empty my in box in anticipation.
Yours hopefully
Dave
Ps my "course" didn't take 3 days.

 

[Lord V]

Wait. You had some one do work on your house with no contract in place? (Other than the implied oral contract) or did they turn up, force their way in, do the work and then demand money? Or am I missing something? Did you have no choice in the contractor?

Honestly, I think you are being a tad over sensitive here. Take emotion out of it. How exactly have you been ripped off?

As I see it, you had an oral contract, work was carried out to a reasonable standard and you paid. If you think you paid over the odds and have buyers remorse that's your look out. As others have said and I will reiterate, 360 is not far above or at market rate. But I honestly can't see how you have been ripped off or the contractors behaviour is in anyway unreasonable.

Out of interest, if you needed a cat and genny survey done for work, half days work. How much would you expect to pay an extrenal survey company? Your answer may lie there.

 

[Chasser]

I don't see the issue here, you agreed a price prior to work being completed, work gets completed and you pay the agreed price... then moan price was too high?

I assume you had versions quotes prior to awarding the contract and went with the best value/ service for your needs?

Plonker don't quite see your point? There are ALOT more people out there getting paid a lot more that £360 for half a day? Wayne Rooney will get that in 5 minutes?

 

[kes]

Adolf, if the 'Co detector' looked anything like this,View attachment 77977 it's actually a flue gas analyser requiring a compulsory qualification to use and interpret the result. The equipment costs £650, requiring an annual calibration and cell change costing £215+ vat, and replacing at year 4. It's also, combined with the flue flow and spillage test (smoke bomb/ match) is the most important part of the WHOLE installation, Now fair enough, if you were quoted for a full days installation and they didn't turn up till 1.30pm as stated, then he obviously knew it wouldn't take a full day but even so the price you've been charged, taking into account the working at height aspect, and if you're happy with the standard of workmanship, the price you've paid for a tradesman and labourer seems totally reasonable and actually on the cheap side given your location. Enjoy your stove and the safe, free heat it's providing!. Regards. D.

No equipment used - all based on a visual assessment.

 

[kes]

I don't see the issue here, you agreed a price prior to work being completed, work gets completed and you pay the agreed price... then moan price was too high?

I assume you had versions quotes prior to awarding the contract and went with the best value/ service for your needs?

Plonker don't quite see your point? There are ALOT more people out there getting paid a lot more that £360 for half a day? Wayne Rooney will get that in 5 minutes?

Obviously a comparable quote-Wayne Rooney-thanks for that.Ludicrous comparisons arent really helpful.

 

[Chasser]

Obviously a comparable quote-Wayne Rooney-thanks for that.Ludicrous comparisons arent really helpful.

Thanks Kes, in my opinion, ludicrous is agreeing a price for works and once complete complaining it's too high

 

[kes]

Thanks Kes, in my opinion, ludicrous is agreeing a price for works and once complete complaining it's too high

Three elements - 2 men, certification, one working day. Not half a day - thats what I agreed to.
Less than one working day - expected price adjustment - not wildly unreasonable one would have thought ?

 

[kennyc]

Three elements - 2 men, certification, one working day. Not half a day - thats what I agreed to.
Less than one working day - expected price adjustment - not wildly unreasonable one would have thought ?

not really, price was agreed in advance, fixed price means just that, would you prefered the guys to dally around and drag it out? just so you feel you had your day? they are in business to make money, if due to experience and skill they manage to do a job quicker then that is a bonus for them, if you feel the job hasn't been done properly then get it checked by someone else, but expect to pay for that.

 

[Lord V]

Yes. You pay for product not time. The contractor uses his time to build a price which is included in the quote. The time frame quoted to you is just for programme. Price agreed. Work carried out. You paid. Contract complete.

Unless you had a written contract that stated differently about variations you haven't got a hope in hell of arguing this, and I think you know it.

But I still struggle to see how you were ripped off.

 

[Chasser]

Ryanair owe me a refund after my last flight to Ireland, Pilot did it in 50 minutes, when I booked they said it would take 56mins from Bristol!

 

[Lord V]

How very dare they!

 

[thorneyglatt]

Three elements - 2 men, certification, one working day. Not half a day - thats what I agreed to.
Less than one working day - expected price adjustment - not wildly unreasonable one would have thought ?

I guess you can't complain that you had to pay for a whole day's labour, when that's what you agreed to beforethe work began; BUT in view of it taking half that time it musthave left a nasty taste in the mouth when no reduction was made.You can't help wondering how honestly the time needed was estimated in the first place.

 

[highland stalker]

A full day for one man or half a day for two. I would say you got a fair deal and if a good job was done then you haven't got much to complain about. You will get years of service and warmth for not a lot of money.

 

[bowji john]

I was given a wood burner for free

Bought the stainless steel double lined flue and fittings

Approached a local installer to fit it for me - quote was £950 for 2 people for one day (plus VAT)

Did it my self - cost £00 plus vat - me plus a mate - 2 days

 

[kes]

I guess you can't complain that you had to pay for a whole day's labour, when that's what you agreed to beforethe work began; BUT in view of it taking half that time it musthave left a nasty taste in the mouth when no reduction was made.You can't help wondering how honestly the time needed was estimated in the first place.

Sir, you have redeemed my faith in human nature - exactly my feelings. I will pay the price but it does leave a nasty taste.

 

[arron]

Also please bear in mind going on a roof ( presume no scaffold at that price )! Hence risk to them selves to save you extra costs , one slip up there and there stuffed.building trade isn't always a 9-5 job , no holiday pay, rained off etc etc . I get where your coming from and if it was laying a few flags then I would tend to agree , but sometimes you win a few and sometimes lose a few , that goes for both sides !!