Sgt Grit Marine Forums

Okay. It was time to replace the old bathroom sink faucets. One leaked when turned on and the other suddenly started leaking continuously. Got the replacement faucets and called a plumber. Nothing out of the ordinary about either the old faucets or the replacement faucets. Replacement faucets are American Standard, nothing fancy.

The plumber shows up at 3:25 PM and I lead him to the bathroom and leave him alone to do his work. An hour later I checked on the progress, he had one new faucet installed but not the plug thing. Another hour passed and both faucets were installed but not the plug things. He said he saved these for last. Another hour passed. I heard water running in the bathroom. At 6:45 PM I was writing a check for $272.80 to remove 2 old faucets and plugs and replace them. Am I an idiot or is this normal? When it started to get dark I was starting to get really creeped out...I mean I couldn't believe it could take SO LONG to replace a couple of faucets!!!

Well, Miss Satie, unless the plumber ran into unforeseen problems with the water supply connections, he is either incompetent or he ripped you off.  Even with my ten thumbs, I can accomplish that job in under two hours, barring problems with the water supply stops.

And just where the heck have you been hidin', young lady?

Ok... I'm a Licensed Master Plumber. I hate to tell you ma'am... but I do believ he ripped you off. Is this guy just "some guy a friend knows" or a 'real' plumber? If he works for a company, I'd suggest calling to complain. Unless there were a LOT of problems, the job should have been completed in less than an hour. (2 sinks... 30 minutes apiece).

 Not sure where you live, but the labor fees sound pretty steep also. $272,80 for 3 /1/2 hours work? That comes out to $77.94 an hour in labor charges. Here in good ole TN, standard labor is 40-50 an hour...

Well, I was afraid of that. I found him in the yellow pages...one of the medium size ads. Called and his mother made the appointment. She said he'd been in the business for 25 years. Those two must have more money than Trump.

And just where the heck have you been hidin', young lady?

Hahaha! I'm still here by the grace of God, Frank! Just been busy lately.  

Vicki, you probably bumped into one of those plumbers who never made enough money in Neurosurgery, so he quit.

I would call the company and tell them the time it took to change the faucets was totally unbelievable and you demand a refund.

I'm a master electrician and I can change 2 faucets in less than an hour. Rates for plumbers by me are $85/hr.

Hope this helps.

Vicki,

I'd at least give you a kiss before....oh nevermind!

Next time, if it is as simple as a faucet, call us. I could have walked you through that job and it would have cost you nothing more than parts. You're a competent lady, you would have nailed it! Never hesitate to call. If you get in over your head, we'll send down some air!

Miss Satie Ma'am, would you like us to apply some "Marine Mama" action to that craptastically sorry excuse for a plumber? You can't imagine what kind of advertising hurt a few dozen or more hacked off gals can do for ya. Heck, we might even manage to get his mom over there to bake you a pie while he's doling out a refund and licking the bottom of your shoes clean in atonement...

 We'd be happy as a cat in a cream jar to do it for you, Miss S.!

Satie:

What the heck was he doing in there? When you checked on him, he was working?

One thing you might be able to do is to contact the local BBB (Better Business Bureau) and file a complaint. I usually tell my wife to make sure that she gets a BBB listed contractor if I am not home.