When a Plumber doesn't reply back

[Justice League]

Is this common where a plumber will come out and then fail to send through a quote for work?

I have called a few plumbers and they have said they would call back to arrange a time but have not and two have come out and failed to get back to me with a quote.

Strange behaviour.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Is this common where a plumber will come out and then fail to send through a quote for work?

I have called a few plumbers and they have said they would call back to arrange a time but have not and two have come out and failed to get back to me with a quote.

Strange behaviour.

Don’t read too much into it mate. We just get busy. Send him a gentle text reminder that you are still waiting.

 

[Riley]

Any good plumber will be busy. It’s the ones twiddling their thumbs you want to avoid.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Any good plumber will be busy. It’s the ones twiddling their thumbs you want to avoid.

True a lot of the time but there are rare instances when this isn’t the case. I.e recommended engineers.

 

[WC1]

I'll be honest, if there's a pattern to it then something about the job or the customer is putting them off.
If they're random contacts then it's much more likely they'll not get back if they're not completely happy.
Getting a contractor through someone you know not only gives you more confidence in them but also gives them more confidence in you.

 

[WC1]

@Justice League
What is the job?

 

[Best]

Nothing strange about that behaviour.
Remember you likely are only one of numerous people who will be contacting most of the plumbers.
Many will not need your job or your money to be honest.

I do that frequently - call to look at job and never come back with an estimate.
If I am busy, or the job looks to be very involving, or shoddy plumbing supposedly to connect to, or if the potential customer is expecting miracles, or is the type that has already got several other prices, or seems dodgy, then I stay clear.

 

[rpm]

I'm not getting involved purely because I don't like your user name.

 

[Jerry]

Nothing strange about that behaviour.
Remember you likely are only one of numerous people who will be contacting most of the plumbers.
Many will not need your job or your money to be honest.

I do that frequently - call to look at job and never come back with an estimate.
If I am busy, or the job looks to be very involving, or shoddy plumbing supposedly to connect to, or if the potential customer is expecting miracles, or is the type that has already got several other prices, or seems dodgy, then I stay clear.

I disagre completely. This not how our trade works.

Everyone knows that if you dont want the job, you put a silly high price in....

J

 

[Millsy 82]

I forget people every now and then. Give them a reminder.

How long have you left it? For bigger jobs it's quite common for me to take a couple of weeks. But some people seem to think you will have it done in a day or 2.

We were trying to get some slabs laid and a fence done. We tried 6 landscape gardeners 3 called us back 2 came out not 1 quote though. 1 of them got back to us about 2 weeks ago (obviously gone quiet) and said I just need to come back and measure up again. We said dont bother as I've done it myself now.

 

[rpm]

I disagre completely. This not how our trade works.

Everyone knows that if you dont want the job, you put a silly high price in..

J

You do it your way and I'll handle it my way.

 

[Harvest Fields]

You do it your way and I'll handle it my way.

It’s been a while mate. But I agree.

 

[rpm]

It’s been a while mate. But I agree.

Would be boring if we agreed everytime

 

[Rob Foster]

Is this common where a plumber will come out and then fail to send through a quote for work?

I have called a few plumbers and they have said they would call back to arrange a time but have not and two have come out and failed to get back to me with a quote.

Strange behaviour.

I have been out to loads of quotes over the years 40 + god knows 10,000 + and if the job did not suit us maybe at the time, or we were busy or you
in my opinion were looking like you might not be able to pay
then I would just park you...however sometimes they might come back nicely then it would be worth it
chking

 

[Best]

I disagre completely. This not how our trade works.

Everyone knows that if you dont want the job, you put a silly high price in..

J

I am always afraid to do what you said (put a silly high estimate in) in case the customer comes back to me wanting the job done that I was trying to side step!

 

[WC1]

Many's the time I've "stuck a nought on" (another name for a giving a go away price ) and they've said "yes" and I've had to say "I'm too busy".
Now I just don't bother getting back to them

 

[Jerry]

Reminds me of a


I am always afraid to do what you said (put a silly high estimate in) in case the customer comes back to me wanting the job done that I was trying to side step!

Isn't that a win though? Set those expectation with the customer clearly and forthrightly!

 

[Best]

Isn't that a win though? Set those expectation with the customer clearly and forthrightly!

But there are some jobs and some customers that money just wouldn’t compensate me for.
Unless that is, really rude amounts of money.

 

[Welder]

OP. Truth is, most people offering work do so on terms often unacceptable to those asked to look at it. By way of examples, it could be an insistance that something is done that simply will not work correctly or that a make of kit is installed that is utter junk.

I used to try to talk people round but one quickly realises you are wasting your breath - plumbers are simply not respected. I also tried saying the job wasn't for me (I dont want it) but people then often became abusive.

The fact of the matter is that you are suffering from our societal lack of empathy.

If you want someone to quote you, call them in and ask for their honest professional opinion - and then listen to it and act upon it. The likelyhood is that youll get a proper job and youll be happy. What you will not get tho is a cheap job. Good & cheap are impossible

 

[Burger]

Is this common where a plumber will come out and then fail to send through a quote for work?

I have called a few plumbers and they have said they would call back to arrange a time but have not and two have come out and failed to get back to me with a quote.

Strange behaviour.

What is it you are asking of them? What is it you want doing? Maybe there’s asbestos removal and they are waiting in a quote from a company to remove? Maybe they don’t want the job or some have said are too busy? Some people are also persnickety, which I would personally avoid.

 

[Justice League]

Its install of a new boiler in a new location.

No asbestos. Just moving it either into w/c or kitchen.

 

[Justice League]

The people I found were off the major boiler maker websites - their accredited installers.

I just assumed if I wanted a Boiler then an accredited installer knows that boiler make better than someone who isnt accredited?

 

[Riley]

Doesn’t mean it’s an easy job just because they’re accredited. Get some independents out listen to what they have to say

 

[rpm]

The people I found were off the major boiler maker websites - their accredited installers.

I just assumed if I wanted a Boiler then an accredited installer knows that boiler make better than someone who isnt accredited?

Sounds reasonable and logical to me so either the job is a @#$* or there is something else.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

most people wont move existing boilers due to too many risks eg not working afterwards etc

 

[king of pipes]

Any decent Plumber will be busy I would be more worried if they bit your arm off for the work and came next day , I have gone down the route off pricing higher especially on large jobs where you are tieing yourself up for weeks on end, a phone call from you would at least let you know where you stand JL. Cheers kop

 

[Justice League]

most people wont move existing boilers due to too many risks eg not working afterwards etc

So I am pretty much buggered then. If thats the case why didnt the installers just say that over the phone.

If moving a boiler is that troublesome then I may as well just leave it.

 

[WC1]

It they were from the major boiler mfrs then they are specifically in the business of fitting new boilers and won't want to move old boilers.
(And if the boiler has "done it's duty" and your not on the bread line why not get new - energy efficiency etc etc)

 

[bacon_sandwich]

Its more a case of - what happens if the boiler does not work properly when moved. Whose risk is it ?

 

[rpm]

Its install of a new boiler in a new location.

No asbestos. Just moving it either into w/c or kitchen.

NEW boiler in choice of two rooms, where did all this moving an old boiler come from.

 

[Millsy 82]

most people wont move existing boilers due to too many risks eg not working afterwards etc

It they were from the major boiler mfrs then they are specifically in the business of fitting new boilers and won't want to move old boilers.
(And if the boiler has "done it's duty" and your not on the bread line why not get new - energy efficiency etc etc)

Its more a case of - what happens if the boiler does not work properly when moved. Whose risk is it ?

He said a new boiler in a new location not move his existing boiler to a new location.

 

[Riley]

To be fair I read it as moving an old boiler too now I’m not sure

 

[WC1]

So I am pretty much buggered then. If thats the case why didnt the installers just say that over the phone.

If moving a boiler is that troublesome then I may as well just leave it.

 

[WC1]

Apologies, was not reading all posts fully

 

[bacon_sandwich]

maybe there are 2 jobs, one to move the existing, another to fit a new one,

 

[Welder]

So I am pretty much buggered then. If thats the case why didnt the installers just say that over the phone.

If moving a boiler is that troublesome then I may as well just leave it.

Are you reading what's being posted?
For goodness sake, stop whining, stop assuming and TALK to people. Ask for advice.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Are you reading what's being posted?
For goodness sake, stop whining, stop assuming and TALK to people. Ask for advice.

Tell us how you really feel Dave.

 

[WC1]

Tells it how it is. The clues in the name...

 

[rpm]

When a Yorkshire person speaks their mind it is expected but anybody can do it, hells fire, even I do it and I only go there to visit little sis.

 

[Welder]

Tell us how you really feel Dave.

Sorry guys, but we all spend our own time trying to help people out of nothing but the goodness in our hearts.

When people persist down a negative road, unwilling to open their minds and hearts, it disrespects our efforts. I, for one, do not feel that is appropriate.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Sorry guys, but we all spend our own time trying to help people out of nothing but the goodness in our hearts.

When people persist down a negative road, unwilling to open their minds and hearts, it disrespects our efforts. I, for one, do not feel that is appropriate.

Was just busting your b**ls mate.

 

[Ben-gee]

I for one am beginning to see why nobody’s bothering to quote...

 

[Aire]

Is this common where a plumber will come out and then fail to send through a quote for work?

I have called a few plumbers and they have said they would call back to arrange a time but have not and two have come out and failed to get back to me with a quote.

Strange behaviour.

To be perfectly honest, I'm not entirely sure why your getting negativity from this post, you haven't posted anything that would suggest your an awkward customer, in fact you've barely posted at all, I think some members are winding themselves up , maybe they've had a stressful week so you'll have to forgive them.
As for your question, its perfectly normal behaviour, especially if your ringing through the day when we're at work, we'll take the call then get back to work and within 10 minutes completely forget that you even exist. It's nothing personal, we're just busy. As for the ones who's came out to quote, it's either again being too busy, they've maybe done your quote but just forgot to send it, or they're working through a backlog of quotes and will get to yours eventually. There could also be something in the job that put them off. Fitting a new boiler in a new location can sometimes be a real pain with re-routing pipes etc, and if a plumber is really busy, he's going to put the easier jobs first, just simply because he can.
It's been said before, but just give the guys another ring back and ask how they're getting on with your quote. If they haven't done it or seem reluctant, just ask if there's anything about the job that's putting them off and then take their advice about how to put it right.

 

[Rob Foster]

So I am pretty much buggered then. If thats the case why didnt the installers just say that over the phone.

If moving a boiler is that troublesome then I may as well just leave it.

Moving modern boilers is a very problematic exercise. There are a multitude of electro mechanical units that can fail during a drain down move and re fit. The consequences for your fitter if you dont exonerate him from these consequences can run into £100s and even the financial write off of your beloved boiler, then there will be new flue and turret elbow eg.
and new seals.
I hope this explains more
Rob Foster aka centralheatking

 

[Aire]

Why are we still getting into this moving old boilers nonsense? OP has said it's a new boiler install, moving to either the kitchen or WC.

 

[Andy-36]

Playing devils advocate here and having working in customer service / hospitality industry before I don't understand why if you don't want the job for whatever reason why leave the customer waiting just phone them or email them and say sadly due to whatever circumstance I'm unable to complete / do the job ? After all I bet we can all think of times when we have been promised something at sometime and been let down when a simple update would of solved a lot of headache.

Reason I say this is because you forever read about the lack of respect plumbers get or how unreliable plumbers are etc however having read through a lot of posts it would seem to me that this is something plumbers themselves are causing. To boost reputation of the industry surely a little "service" is advisable, I totally understand plumbers are busy and time is money.

 

[Riley]

Don’t tarn all with the same brush though

 

[Harvest Fields]

I find honesty is always the best policy.

 

[Justice League]

I think many have got this wrong.

I want a new boiler in a new location.

Not moving my existing boiler. Thats being scrapped.

 

[Millsy 82]

I like the add £ on a boiler change ££ on moving a boiler and £££ on a full installation.

If do get it then happy days, If I think they wont pay then i make sure the deposit is enough to cover what the bare costs are to get paid for the whole job if I get paid the rest bonus if not it's going to be worth enough to go through court.