Charged for two plumbers (per hour) but called one company to replace my flange?

Question

I called a plumbing company and they sent out a guy on Tuesday. He said he would have to come back on Thursday to fix my toilet (it needed a flange and a couple other small stuff like screws and things). So, on Thursday, he called and said he'd be late, that he was bringing someone more senior with him to help him fix it properly.

They spent 3.5 hours fixing my toilet together. When I got the bill, they had charged me separately for both men. 106$ for Matt and another $106 an hour for the senior guy. So, total, I spend $650 on labor! Is this right? Is it my problem that the first guy didn't know how to do the job? I called one company thinking that one guy could do it and nobody told me I'd have to pay for both (I would have sent them home and called someone who knew how to do it, and only pay for the one person!)

What are my legal rights? Is this normal protocol? What to do now? I've called the company and cancelled my check until they only charge me for one person.

Answer 1

This is way too much for this job.  It shouldn't take one person that long.  I would definitely complain to the owner or manager.  Might not do any good but I think they lost a customer.

Answer 2

I just had service on a hot water tank, there was 2 men, and they charged $60.00 an hour.  It took one hour, so I was charged $60.00.  Check with your Local Better Business Bureau ,and your Attorney General of your state.  File a complaint with both. I have had to do that with a company that came to our house. Believe me, you get results doing that!

Answer 3

I used to work for a plumbing company. We always sent a master plumber and a helper on every job. I agree you should not have been charged the same amount for both men. I would not have cancelled the check though as now you will be in court. They deserved some pay for their time and work.

Most plumbing companies I know would have worked out something with you, unless this was an emergency call.

Good luck in court!

Answer 4

I agree with you, $100 per hr means they should know what they are doing.  The only reason you would need two people is if the job involved required lifting or they could work separately.

Replacing a flange is not that complicated.  The worst problem is cast iron, and a the parts cost about $40 for a flange fernco repair system.

http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/content...

Answer 5

It is illegal to work on your own . Safety factors etc. This standard procedure where I live etc . The charge out rate is way over the top though.

Answer 6

File a complant with BBB.You are correct replaceing a flange should only take an hour and shouldn't have required a revisit as the parts are available at any hardware store.Oh ;tell everyone you know of about their anticks.

Answer 7

This is BS and you are right to be angry.  This is an old trick.  Basic plumbing is removing a toilet and replacing it.  First skill anyone learns.  You could have done the work yourself it is so simple.  The whole thing can be done in less than an hour if you have all the parts.  Sending out two guys is a sucker trip and expecting you to pay for them  both is highway robbery!

Send a letter to the president explaining the process and what was said and done.  Tell him you expect a reasonable fee and are willing to pay, but the idea of having two men on the job is ridiculous and shows how incompetent they are, or dishonest.  Send a check for a reasonable amount, after calling around your area to see how much it should be.  You can go to a plumbing supply store and ask, and that is also a good way to find someone reputable.  (A good plumber will not give the staff a lot of trouble, so they will know who is up on the latest techniques. ) That way you can't get sued for non payment.  Tell them you will alert the BBB, the news caster who looks into these things for your local station, the attorney generals office for your state, and the state licensing board.  You may have even opened up a new line of investigation for the Atty. Gen'l and the state board, as well as the newscaster.  If you put all this together and present it as a package, they will be more interested.

Answer 8

I wouldn't have paid that much since one guy did not know how to do the job and it IS a one man job. Then again, I think you messed up by cancelling the check as this could get you into legal problems. Call the company back and tell them your problem with the cost and see what you can work out.