al4x Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Doc he's oop north theres lots of Gas fitters up there gagging for work but they will be one man bands who usually sub for BG but are quiet at the moment. Warranty will be what the boiler comes with Insurance whats that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 (edited) That's the trouble with self righteous pricks like you, you autmatically assume everyone else is a cowboy and should follow your example. If you do similar work then why didn't you do the job yourself? I have plenty of good customers who use me time and time again as they know the standard of work and level of service they get. You probably run a 2 bit operation from your back bedroom or even from a desk squeezed in somewhere bewteen the sofa and the kitchen door and have virtually no overheads and probably drive about in clapped out old escort van or some kind of estate. I bet you are a real ******* professional. If so then how the hell can you call yourself a professional let alone try and teach me to suck eggs? I've worked hard to build my business and yes I am selective about the type of people I do work for. I don't need to grab every job that comes my way and yes I do get touchy when someone insinuates I'm a cowboy. Nothing could be further from the truth. I feel that was a bit of a harsh reply against a guy who is clearly telling the truth. Don't get me wrong, You seem a little stressed but you are a working plumber on pigeonwatch during the day. Work a bit short? Edited January 13, 2010 by starlight32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinea Fowl Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 I feel that was a bit of a harsh reply against a guy who is clearly telling the truth. Don't get me wrong, Yoou semm a little stressed but you are a working plumber on pigeonwatch during the day. Work a bit short? No, we charged silly prices on Mondays and Tuesdays so that we can have Wednesday off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 I am taking it up been reg waiting on the go ahead... seems dependant on volume they buy some plumbers get up to 70% off list price of boilers which they then charge you full wack on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 I feel that was a bit of a harsh reply against a guy who is clearly telling the truth. Don't get me wrong, Yoou semm a little stressed but you are a working plumber on pigeonwatch during the day. Work a bit short? Not at all. As I said, I choose who I do work for and don't need to grab every job that comes along. As a consequence, the way I run my business and structure my life lets me have a very good standard of living. I'm not ashamed to admit that. As it happens I'm just off to go shooting with a friend this afternoon for a good customer of mine who has a rabbit problem, although I really should get my hair cut. The level of knowledge I've gained over the years allows me to choose how I ply my trade and in what area. It has also been on my mind to either get into teaching the trade or running training courses on subjects within the trade for those who struggle with those areas. I'm off now to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and will look forward to reading replies later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 No, we charged silly prices on Mondays and Tuesdays so that we can have Wednesday off! Touche, Guinea fowl! Touche! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docholiday Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 This could be interesting with two doc holidays, always ment to say Hi doc glad to share a name with you, doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Public Liability Insurance is peanuts Oh no it isnt its mega bucks. you obviously dont have any. Many companies need Professional Liability also Doc is spot on with his posts, Ive thirty five years in the Construction Industry and have employed more Plumbers that most of us have had hot Dinners. Plumbers are a funny Animal, if you pay peanuts you get Monkeys and in my estimation in over 80% of the Plumbers Ive employed to do a cheap job weve been round to put it right within 6 months. If you want a proper job done you need to pay the proper rate whether its having the car fixed or a new boiler installed. Get several quotes thats my advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Not at all. As I said, I choose who I do work for and don't need to grab every job that comes along. As a consequence, the way I run my business and structure my life lets me have a very good standard of living. I'm not ashamed to admit that. As it happens I'm just off to go shooting with a friend this afternoon for a good customer of mine who has a rabbit problem, although I really should get my hair cut. The level of knowledge I've gained over the years allows me to choose how I ply my trade and in what area. It has also been on my mind to either get into teaching the trade or running training courses on subjects within the trade for those who struggle with those areas. I'm off now to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and will look forward to reading replies later. Could I ask if this customer is one that you have had to work for nothing in return for the shooting? As I believe this was in essence that was you were offering in return for plumbing services late last year? That was a good idea actually, I have never thought of that one myself, with a bit of luck I am going to give someone a bit of shooting in return for my new boiler install and hopefully will even get my 400 quid back for nowt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
covlocks Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 That's the trouble with self righteous pricks like you, you autmatically assume everyone else is a cowboy and should follow your example. If you do similar work then why didn't you do the job yourself? I have plenty of good customers who use me time and time again as they know the standard of work and level of service they get. You got to get a life my friend and stop BSing your customers. Public Liability to £5M is £12:50 a month through Lloyds. Work from my bedroom - difficult as i'm on the road in my 09 plate Renault Traffic which is kitted out as a mobile workshop, along with 3 other guys who work for me in their Renault Traffics. How much do you exactly do you make per hour, minus your REAL overheads?? How do you justify making up to £2000 for less than a days work?? The guy who fitted my boiler was self employed, fully qualified, accredited and recommended by the OEM's who then gave me a 5 year warranty because it was fitted by their fully qualified and recommended installer. It works, it was a good job, he made a profit and will get repeat work and recommendations from me, the OEM's he installs for, and his other customers. Who's the pr*ck?? ..... and just where do you keep your horse at night??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunny Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 The scrappage scheme is merely another government idea to juggle things around so it looks like they have green credentials. There was a similar scheme some years ago and I fell for that scam hook, line and sinker The scheme was that you could get some cash back if you had a "super efficient" condensing boiler fitted which would also allow you to save on running costs. I may or may not have saved on my gas bill (I have read recently that some people's gas usage went up) but in the overall scheme of things it was a total disaster. I was calling the maintenance company so regularly due to breakdown that I'm sure there were grooves worn in the road from their premises to mine by their vans. They visited at least six times a year (not including routine service visits) to replace almost all of the boiler in the few years I had it. I think the only part not changed was the casing. I even phoned the manufacturer to complain but they seemed to think my boiler was not particularly troublesome. I eventually gave up and had it replaced by a standard balanced flue model that has, so far, never let me down. The point I am making is that although in theory my boiler was supposedly very efficient, any saving did not include the cost of continual repairs (bourne by the insurance/maintenance agreement) and the use of fossil fuels to bring the repairer to me. If you need to replace a knackered old, unreliable boiler then it might be worth looking at the current scheme but if your boiler is working OK leave it alone as you will not save any money by changing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 How much do you exactly do you make per hour, minus your REAL overheads?? How do you justify making up to £2000 for less than a days work?? The guy who fitted my boiler was self employed, fully qualified, accredited and recommended by the OEM's who then gave me a 5 year warranty because it was fitted by their fully qualified and recommended installer. It works, it was a good job, he made a profit and will get repeat work and recommendations from me, the OEM's he installs for, and his other customers. Who's the pr*ck?? ..... and just where do you keep your horse at night??? crikey he's not making 2k a day, he's saying he wouldn't fit a cheapy boiler knowing it would give his customer agro, so modify the boiler price to close to 1K then add the cost of copper pipe to re run the gas supply plus modifying the existing pipework to fit the new boiler, powerflushing the system which takes the best part of a day on its own. Then adding TRV's etc if not fitted on rads to bring the system up to standards etc etc the list is not quite endless but its not one days work. Then take overheads for van, tools, advertising, phone etc etc and then take tax off it and the reality is a bit different. You may have had a guy swap a boiler but presumably it was a like for like swap and that was it, no powerflush to stop sludge ruining your new pump and so the system works properly. Round us that costs 300-400 on its own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 (edited) I've had my Potterton Netaheat 10/16 Mk11 F for 28 years now and I ain't going to swop it if I can keep it going! So, if any of you guys come across a fan assembly, flame-failure device, relay, PCB, etc., I'll willingly send you the cash to convert into shells! Edited January 13, 2010 by Floating Chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
covlocks Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Then adding TRV's etc if not fitted on rads to bring the system up to standards etc etc the list is not quite endless but its not one days work. Then take overheads for van, tools, advertising, phone etc etc and then take tax off it and the reality is a bit different. You may have had a guy swap a boiler but presumably it was a like for like swap and that was it, no powerflush to stop sludge ruining your new pump and so the system works properly. Round us that costs 300-400 on its own. TRV's etc if needed are an additional charge - not an overhead. Fixed overheads are built into the labour rate, but tooling doesnt get replaced that often - if he has been going for 20+ years you can guarantee most of his tools are 20+ years old unless he makes a habbit of loosing them. £300 - £400 to power flush - yep done and included - hence the warranty is upheld (it costs you £300-£400 - that isnt the cost of doing it) VAT - thats on top of the price quoted Boiler cost at trade - £600-800 for the quoted "good quality one" - but he will install what the customer wants - not what he wants. No my boiler wasnt just swopped out - new gas feed - new install - power flush etc etc - all to the OEM spec. Total time 6 hours - plus a lunch break I guess. OK to be fair - £800 for the boiler, £100 for consumables - £2500 charged = £1600 gross profit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 (edited) No point, just £400 off on a 2-3k+ boiler........you can order online and get better discount! You probably can but: Most people selling log burners online are NOT approved Uk agents for same, they grey import stoves built for other markets. These may not be the same as ours and cause building regulation and installation issues. Casing warranty on maybe half my range of wood stoves is 10 years, buying on line you will only get one year and no support from the manufacturer in the event of problem with the unit or the on line supplier. I am not saying this is the same for gas boilers but may be, check the boiler manufacturers web site for locally approved distributers to you. You might pay a higher price but the cost may be far lower if you have a problem. A Edited January 13, 2010 by Alycidon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomV Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 where do you register for the scheme? my boiler is most certainly g rated. It is probably 20 years old or more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin2 Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 i work for vaillant/glow worm most problems i come across are from fly by night one man band installers with the cheapest price,there here today gone tomorrow ,and the biggest problem is they don`t flush the system and fit a filter/magna clean to the return,you get what you pay for in this life imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myzeneye Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 this is the funniest pile of poo ive read in ages............... everyones an expert eh.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 this is the funniest pile of poo ive read in ages...............everyones an expert eh.... I would'nt say expert when it comes to installing it, thats your forte'. But when it come down to the money side then I'm the expert as its mine............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiemonsterandmerlin. Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Now if you charge £2000+ for a £800 retail boiler - where do you tie your horse up a night times?? I carry out similar work, I charge the right price, make a profit, get plenty of recommendations and I dont need anywhere to stable my horse at nights. Boys am I reading that part right . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegleg31 Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 i know a team of 3 gas fitters who fit a complete system in less than a day.lift floor boards,new copper pipe work,new rads and the boiler.i went to college and did plumbing with one of them but i saw sense and carried on with joinery i do think gas fitters prices are over the top,but it is true that the running costs of keeping qaulified is high.and there's some rough ***** gas fitters out there so just because they are qaulified does'nt mean they are safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted January 15, 2010 Report Share Posted January 15, 2010 Ok, last word on the subject (only as I haven't had time to log on and read other posts), and this is just for that covlocks or whatever its name was. While I was out shooting on Wednesday I was sitting all cosy & quiet, and then I had an epiphany! I realised that you were full of ****. Whatever you said wouldn't make any difference to what anyone thought, as anyone with half a braincell would know that. And I didn't even do you the grace & favour of reading your posts as it really would be wasting my time. Anyone can come up with a load of bull about what they do and how successful they are whilst hiding behind a cumputer but you have this down to an art. And next time you're down this way, be sure to look me up and I'll show you where I tie my horse. PM me for phone number and I'll give you directions. Now, go forth & multiply and never darken my presence again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted January 15, 2010 Report Share Posted January 15, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSPUK Posted January 15, 2010 Report Share Posted January 15, 2010 I had a Worcester/Bosch condensing combi oil boiler fitted - it was plumbers dream job - all pipes were ready for him -old boiler remover - system flushed all he had to do was run four short pipes and knock hole for flue - he made it last two days of 5 hrs a day and I recon he was in profit for £900 minimum or five and half weeks pension to me - he was recommended - There was an oil leak on incoming pipe and had a job getting him back - after fixing it it leaked again so did it myself - certainly wouldn't recommend him to anyone else - ringing W/Bosch to register it he was on their books as registered fitter. is there a formula for finding a good honest workman - Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cap1len Posted January 15, 2010 Report Share Posted January 15, 2010 most of the boilers that will be changed under the scheme will be open flued and therefore not a straight swap. most a rated boilers will cost over £1000 with flue plus you will need to change rad valves to thermostatic to comply with building regs. it should take a registered installer at least 2 full working days to do the work PROPERLY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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