Plumbers Quote.

[Smowball]

We’ve used the same plumber for about three years and he’s always done a good job. But the last job I thought he’d overcharged a tad. So I’ve just txt him to quote for replacing an existing hallway radiator with a brand new one. It’s a small radiator - 90cm wide. He’s quoted me £180 plus parts. Just seems an awful lot.

[melv16]

Does the existing pipework need altering?

[-Talbot-]

Replace with the same size rad?

[-Talbot-]

Even if pipe work needs altering it is about a hours work ... double it for slow-timing and it is still expensive.

[Smowball]

New rad is 5cm smaller

[TWR]

Ring around for other quotes.

[Smowball]

Think I’m going to have to

[alavahalf]

Do your valves on either end of the radiator work .. if not the system may need to be drained down ... then refilled, with all radiators needing bleeding?
In a perfect world it could take an hour, in a not so perfect one, it could take a morning.

[-Talbot-]

Why are you changing the size, Smow?

[TWR]

Check on the likes of ebay to give you some sort of an Idea of the Rad Price, or your local B&Q, either purchase one from there & check your local paper for a local DIY person, it should only take an hour at the most to fit, cut the water off to the inlet ( Left side of the Rad) & drain the right side, uncouple the pipes, remove rad then lift new rad onto the hangers, refit pipes then bleed that one rad.

[melv16]

If he fits a radiator valve extension, then the job should only take an hour if you're using the same valves. Otherwise, it could take a morning if pipework has to be altered...going under floors, draining system etc.

[Ryzen]

If its 5cm smaller he could use rad tail extenders at a push..or he may have to alter one end,which means draining and refilling/inhibitor.I would consider a fair charge to be around £80-100 for the labour part..plus vat if he's registered.

[Smowball]

We’ve already bought the rad. The existing one is just new and the existing is quite old. Didn’t realise we’d orderered a slightly smaller one till it arrived.

[murraymints]

DIY job really.. a handy man rather than a plumber could do it !

[DarceyK123]

I've recently had one changed, all in it cost £100 including the rad so shop around.

In the past I have had the scenario where a tradesman has gradually upped his prices once he had me onside, I liked and trusted him. They think you won't go somewhere else.

I'd noticed jobs were getting a bit more expensive but let it go as I trusted him (better the devil you know).

Only when he was unable to do a job I asked someone else who did it for half the price.

I'm not suggesting your man is doing this but just beware.

[TWR]

What's your area Smow? have a look at your local rag.

[Smowball]

It’s Croydon,London. I’ve just gone on the ‘find a local hero’ and placed a job ad to see what quotes I get.

[DarceyK123]

Snow, can I just say the Local Hero thing is run by British Gas and comes back very expensive, maybe try MyHammer or Check a Trade.

[Smowball]

Yeh I’ve just tried checkatrade too. Grrr

[tonyav]

Smow, you can get radiator extension's. Easy DIY job.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=radiator+extension+kit&;qpvt=radiator+extension+kit&FORM=IGRE

[douglas9401]

I think I read somewhere that London plumbers charge about £70 an hour.

He's bumping his labour up to cover the loss of profit in the radiator for supply and fit.