Replaced Hot Water Booster - Did I Overpay for Installation?

kaitoivan on 27/07/2019 - 22:10
Last edited 27/07/2019 - 22:11

tl;dr Got the booster myself for $595 then paid $420 to get it installed. Did I overpay?

So I've been having issue with my old hot water system, starting to get more cold water instead of hot water, then it finally gave up for real.

I called up a few plumbers in my area to get an idea of what I should expect, whether it could be fixed or better to replace it, some suggested that it should be replaced due to its age (~9 years).

I got the quotes for call-out to diagnose is around $120-200, so I called the guy with the lowest quote to get the appointment (obviously). At that time I already pretty much settle to get it replaced, I asked the guy what'd be the installation fee but didn't really catch the number (sounded like $200, also didn't tell him that I'd get the replacement unit myself)

So while waiting for the plumber, I went to Bunnings and got a new unit just in case, I can return it if the old unit can be fixed (was quite happy up until that point because the unit was in stock and I guess the price was decent)

Anyway, the plumber came a bit later, had a look at the unit, tested the water coming out of the old unit, no hot water there so in conclusion, should get it replaced. (10-15 minutes, probably)

Then I told him I just got the new unit from Bunnings and ready to replace, he was a bit surprised when I said that but carry on anyway. Once everything is done, time to take out the wallet, he surprised me with the total bill for $420 ($120 for call-out, $300 for installation)

What do you guys think about the service fee? Was it too much or fair? Did he charge more because I didn't buy from his supplier or get his recommendation?

I'm quite upset when the installation fee would cost 2/3 of the new unit, I guess I should have asked around for installation service instead of just getting quote for service the old unit

Home & Garden

Comments

  • zonra on 27/07/2019 - 22:23

    FWIW Bunning installs them for $299.
    I replaced mine sometimes last year (in WA) and got hit with an extra $150 or something because our existing installation wasn't "up to standard" and requires "extra work", he did confirm with me before starting though.
    So yeah I reckon what you've paid isn't too far off the mark.

    • onetwothreefour on 28/07/2019 - 08:24

      This. Why didn't you just get bunnings to do it for you? You would know up front what the cost was and they're less likely to try and screw you for more.

      I replaced mine with bunnings a few years ago and all was fine.

      • kaitoivan on 28/07/2019 - 09:19

        I saw this in Bunnings but only apply for Dux system, I'm not using that brand so it would not apply.

  • oscargamer on 27/07/2019 - 23:53
    +7

    Does it matter?

    You've paid and you can't change that.

    Someone somewhere will tell you that you've overpaid. Likewise, someone will tell you that you scored a bargain.

    Don't stress over stuff you can't change.

    • kaitoivan on 28/07/2019 - 09:12
      +1

      noted. thanks for the wise words.

  • Cheeper on 28/07/2019 - 02:53
    +3

    Next time call a barrister, they are cheaper than plumbers!! They have no consience when choosing a figure for the job.
    Sounds like he charged their going rate…
    His price on the water heater would have had a massive markup anyway so you would have made some saving there.
    Imagine if he only did 2 hws installs per day.. weekly income would be $4100 per 5 day week. Not bad for a domestic tradie.

    • jv on 28/07/2019 - 02:58
      +2

      $4100 per 5 day week. Not bad for a domestic tradie.

      And how much of that would they declare to the tax office… Maybe 25%…

    • Thrift on 28/07/2019 - 08:02
      +5

      Gosh, if he only worked 29 weeks he'd make more than Amazon CEO Jeff Bezo's base salary. And imagine if he did 9,921 hws installs per day… annual income would be just over a billion dollars. That would get him a pretty blinged up Ford Ranger Raptor and keep his mega walk-in wardrobe full of hi-vis polo shirts for life!

  • jv on 28/07/2019 - 02:56
    -1

    paid $420 to get it installed. Did I overpay?

    Of course.

    • Thrift on 28/07/2019 - 08:04

      Only if OP paid $421 or more on the $420 invoice.

  • afoveht on 28/07/2019 - 08:18

    paid $420

    What are these plumbers smoking?

  • whooah1979 on 28/07/2019 - 08:53

    Op, how long did the plumber take to the job and they provide a tax invoice?

    • kaitoivan on 28/07/2019 - 09:14

      about 1 hour 15 minutes and got tax invoice

  • AncientWisdom on 28/07/2019 - 13:27

    Yes you did, but not much you can do except get a price up front next time.

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