Please help - have i been ripped off?

[Rob Foster]

Hi. My house, in north London, has a Sime Superior 100 boiler. Last year I noticed the water pressure was slowly dropping (in all the taps, and the shower), so at the start of December I got a plumber out, who said we needed a new pressure valve for the boiler. I was told the new valve was about £200 ish, and I was charged £498 (inc vat) in total for the work. The plumber came out twice; firstly to diagnose the problem, which he did very quickly, and secondly to bring and fit the new part. I assumed the fitting was complex, but he fitted the part really quickly, in 30-45 minutes, or so. I thought the cost seemed excessive, especially when i saw how quickly it was fitted. Please could someone tell me if I've paid a far price, or if I've been ripped off?! Annoyingly, only a month later, the boiler has stopped working. So my second question is, can I make the plumber come back again and fix it? Thank you. Vic

The engineer was GSR not an anybody, you state he diagnosed collected and fitted this part. The system has gone down but crucially it might not be the new part whch has failed
if he was as good as you say, ask him back to see whats wrong this time. Just because he was quick, efficient in my book does not mean you were overcharged. You choose to dwell in London the labour charge will be higher up to £125 + vat per hour I know
Rob Foster aka centralheatking

 

[Welder]

The English language is a thing of real beauty KOP and, in my view worth using to its fullest extent. Or, put another way, yes!!!

 

[missfrances]

Thanks for your comments. The original plumbing company sent someone back today, but they sent a different plumber. I'm told the part changed back in December was called a 'Pressure Reducing Valve' (see image attached). I explained to today's plumber that I was charged £500, and he pulled a face ie) wide eyes, look of shock! I laughed, and told him I also pulled the same face when I was charged £500. He then looked a bit awkward, and tried to suggest the first plumber changed another part as well (although he couldn't tell me what), but that's not what I remember being told back in December. In December, surprised at the cost, I requested a breakdown of costs, and a receipt, but nothing was emailed to me. Today I again asked for the breakdown, but I'm now being told by the office manager that the company has just 'changed owners' and they have no invoices. All a bit mysterious. The office manager says the 'fan' was also changed in December. Maybe shes right, but this wasn't explained to me at the time, and its odd that no paperwork is available.

 

[Rob Foster]

oh dear, that prv looks like a honeywell do4 ...the best prv
on the European domestic market , it costs well less than £50.00, micky mouse ones cost
less than £10.00. I cannot remember the spec but I am not sure it should be vertically installed...but others will correct me.
Rob Foster aka centralheatking

 

[missfrances]

Not £200 then?!

 

[Rob Foster]

Not £200 then?!

wait until the others weigh in later...just watch and wait I might be wrong ...chking

 

[Welder]

Well! That image makes me look and feel a fool.
Can you do me a wider shot/shots of all the cupboard please?
Time to roll my sleeves up...

 

[Rob Foster]

Well! That image makes me look and feel a fool.
Can you do me a wider shot/shots of all the cupboard please?
Time to roll my sleeves up...

I think I am going to get battered here ...oh dear the image of YD rolling his sleves up

 

[Welder]

I think I am going to get battered here ...oh dear the image of YD rolling his sleves up

Why? Heaven forbid old boy not you!
Definitely, but as yet prospectively, the installer. I'll keep my powder dry for now old bean. I do like a Big Bang

 

[Rob Foster]

Why? Heaven forbid old boy not you!
Definitely, but as yet prospectively, the installer. I'll keep my powder dry for now old bean. I do like a Big Bang

one day I will tell you about some big bangs we did when we were at uni ...one term we were taught ballistics and explosives
and......centralheatking