$574 for 45 minutes of work replacing radiator valves ?!?!?
 

Should I put on a stop-payment on the credit-card that I signed ?

I have simply been ripped off, yes, but what to do now ?

Call them and speak with them again about it ?

When given the bill I was dumbfounded and argued unsuccessfully, now perhaps I should put a stop-payment ?

If you signed it, the credit company probably will not put it in dispute. You were probably charged for an emergency call. Call and argue it. Did you ask for an estimate before they started work?

How many valves did they replace?

No I didn't ask for an estimate, but I NEVER expected 45 minutes of work to cost $574 !?!?!?!

Is that even relevant ? These things cost like $20 each; perhaps less for a plumber buying in bulk.

They'd have had to replace 25 of them for it to be relevant.

They replaced 5 by the way to answer the question.

did you get an itemized reciept? if so, it'll tell you exactly how much the valves were. i once tried to help this lady for an hour on the phone, just trying to be nice and save her the $$$ but finally had to do a home call. i was done in 30 seconds. (honest) but i told her before i left home i had to charge her regardless what the problem was. she paid and was happy. 574 for 5 valves is a bit steep, IMHO, but i can honestly say i would never install 25 valves for $74.00....... even if it only took 45 min.

DM

Receipt is something like:
"1- Inspect pressuretrol
2- Replace rad valves"
Total $574

So, no, I did not, and I should have had them itemize it in great detail. He simply said something like "its the labor" when I balked at the amount.

The labor ? U simply remove them by turning them, and put another one on. Simple. A kid can do it.

The reason I ask is to try and figure how much they had in supplies. Thermostatic valves cost between $50-$80 for the better ones.

Consider labor and mark up of the parts, the service call fee that covers my time to the job. If it's an emergency then there is another service charge (which includes weekends, nights and holidays or has to take me off another job)

If there were 2 people for an hour plus the service charge, plus the 5 valves it would about $400-$500 in my neck of the woods.

i'm not gonna say it, i'm not gonna say it.....

DM

They did NOT install thermostatic valves, they installed Gorton Valves, which average about $15.75 or so. Perhaps cheaper for a plumber who may buy in bulk, I don't know.

Say what, that "... then I should have done it myself ..." ?

Well, yeah, of course I should have. I'm just ranting cause I'm out $574 for a guy to come here and replace some valves with his bare hands on radiators that are in the wide open, he didn't have to cut anything, weld anything, use tools, go for parts, turn anything off and on, etc... he just removed a valve and put on a new one a few times. I'm just p%^&ed at myself for allowing this to happen.

see above.... after all, this IS a DIY site! =o)

i would be too!

DM

Hate to tell you this.
But, I would have charged MORE for those same 5 valves.

Wholesale cost has no bearing on retail price, like you may think.

Its $156.00 for me to come out and evaluate a residential steam
system.
Thats just to tell you whats wrong. No repair included.

Its $90.00 for me to swap outl 1 Hoffman 1A vent in a rad.
$60.00 each additional vent.
And it doesn't take long to swap out a air vent.
I charge to MAKE profit, I don't just WORK for labor.

Yep, I'm flat rate.

You were not ripped off.
You should have asked for an upfront price.

I give a price upfront, and its up to my customer to say yes or no.

Did you have heat b4 he arrived? Do you have heat now? If no then yes= not over charged:thumbsup:

You can get those kinds of prices in Lancaster? So, if he knew what he needed done, would it of only been the 90+240? Is that labor only?