I recently hired a plumber for a quote to install a washer and dryer hookup and to inspect my cabin for any other issues. They initially quoted me $225 for the service plus an additional $150, which seemed fair. However, I later found out they charged me for 4.5 hours of labor when they were actually only at my property for 2.5 hours, as I have video proof from my neighbor's cameras. After a week of pressing them for clarification, they claimed that the charges included 30 minutes of travel time, which was never disclosed earlier.
I've tried to resolve this amicably by giving them the benefit of the doubt, but their offer to reduce the labor by one hour still leaves me overcharged. Now I'm wondering whether I should just accept the extra $150 and pay the bill, refuse to pay and risk collections, or pay the whole amount and take them to small claims court over this principle. It's frustrating, and I want to make them accountable for their misleading practices. They've shown deceptive behavior, and it's upsetting because I found out their estimate for a simple water heater element change was $800 when it's really a $30 part that literally takes minutes to replace!
3 Answers
Look, I get that you feel scammed, but tradespeople can’t just show up ready to work without prep time. It’s a logistical challenge for them too. But lying about the time? That’s not cool. They should be straightforward with their customers.
Why not just consider doing the water heating element change yourself? It really is a simple fix that doesn’t take long at all.
I’ve done it before and could tackle it, but I was hoping for a more comprehensive inspection when I called. With two toddlers running around in our tiny cabin, it’s tough to find the time for DIY projects.
Honestly, just take the hour off they offered and move on. It’s annoying, but the hassle of pursuing this might not be worth it in the end.
You’re probably right. I appreciate good tradespeople, but I turn into a real grump when I'm taken advantage of. It's just not worth my time.
But they definitely lied about their time spent. To claim four hours when they were really here for two is absolutely unacceptable. And I had no idea they had such bad reviews until now!