FAO Tradesmen.

This Forum is the main messageboard to discuss all things Claret and Blue and beyond
Post Reply
tarkys_ears
Posts: 4237
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:30 pm
Been Liked: 1016 times
Has Liked: 1484 times

FAO Tradesmen.

Post by tarkys_ears » Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:01 pm

Is it common to charge twice the cost for a part when you're doing a job? (plumbing, boiler etc)

Not what I'd consider "fair markup" but is it the norm?

aclaretinstevenage
Posts: 1213
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 9:55 pm
Been Liked: 300 times
Has Liked: 728 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by aclaretinstevenage » Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:12 pm

Basically a supply and demand situation. If you have an Emergency call out "some" tradesmen see an opportunity to charge over the top rates for the part particularly if it's a "five minute fit" type of part as they won't make much on the labour element.

If it's a non Emergency get different quotes and take the one you get the best feel for from talking to the tradesman.

GodIsADeeJay81
Posts: 14562
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2018 9:55 am
Been Liked: 3435 times
Has Liked: 6339 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by GodIsADeeJay81 » Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:18 pm

Just twice the amount? :lol:


On a serious note, are you comparing prices for identical products or different brands?

As a car mechanic I could buy a transmech clutch from Euros for £40 for example, but it's a fair bet I'd be replacing it again in 6 months or I could buy an Luk one at £100 and not see the car again anytime soon with a clutch problem.

Quickenthetempo
Posts: 17916
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 10:35 am
Been Liked: 3841 times
Has Liked: 2065 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Quickenthetempo » Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:18 pm

You would have to give more info.

If they pick tiles up for instance it might take an hour to sort out at the supplier and bring back.
Then transport costs.
Money has to go through the business that has to have a cut as well.

tarkys_ears
Posts: 4237
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:30 pm
Been Liked: 1016 times
Has Liked: 1484 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by tarkys_ears » Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:18 pm

Im asking about the "part"

Say if a part cost £50, would you try charging £100 for it?

Jakubclaret
Posts: 9434
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2016 10:47 pm
Been Liked: 1180 times
Has Liked: 778 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Jakubclaret » Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:37 pm

tarkys_ears wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:01 pm
Is it common to charge twice the cost for a part when you're doing a job? (plumbing, boiler etc)

Not what I'd consider "fair markup" but is it the norm?
I personally wouldn’t I’d quote higher on the job as a fairer representation of service, but if you’ve been quoted low for the job that’s where the bloated addition markup will be coming from, it makes no difference at the end of the day the final price amounts to the same figure but if he’s charging high already & still making double on a part that’s taking the p155 to be brutally honest.

Bosscat
Posts: 25362
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8427 times
Has Liked: 18096 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Bosscat » Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:45 pm

I was a Locksmith prior to retiring and I worked for a number of call out agencies... They used to charge £40 plus 1 hours labour (usually around £50+ an hour) plus VAT to replace lets say a Euro Cylinder (UPVC door lock) for a job that takes around 2 minutes. Thats £118 inc VAT ... it usually took longer to write the job sheet on average than replace the actual cylinder in the door.

You can purchase a decent quality euro-cylinder in most reputable iron mongers (assuming you know what size) for under £15 ...

GodIsADeeJay81
Posts: 14562
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2018 9:55 am
Been Liked: 3435 times
Has Liked: 6339 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by GodIsADeeJay81 » Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:56 pm

tarkys_ears wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:18 pm
Im asking about the "part"

Say if a part cost £50, would you try charging £100 for it?
Try?
I've done better than that when I've found the genuine part online at a better price, most businesses have done if they're honest.
Look at Halfords, they're proper rip off merchants but they're a nationwide company and no one questions it.
Pretty much all of their products can be found elsewhere at far better prices and with a bit of nous you can learn to fit certain things yourself....

Main dealers are the same, their cars are built using the cheapest parts and their parts departments charge premium prices for a product that isn't really any better than something you can buy at a motor factor.

Jakubclaret
Posts: 9434
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2016 10:47 pm
Been Liked: 1180 times
Has Liked: 778 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Jakubclaret » Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:04 pm

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:56 pm
Try?
I've done better than that when I've found the genuine part online at a better price, most businesses have done if they're honest.
Look at Halfords, they're proper rip off merchants but they're a nationwide company and no one questions it.
Pretty much all of their products can be found elsewhere at far better prices and with a bit of nous you can learn to fit certain things yourself....

Main dealers are the same, their cars are built using the cheapest parts and their parts departments charge premium prices for a product that isn't really any better than something you can buy at a motor factor.
Some people don’t need to question it because some people simply choose not to buy from Halfords, just because some people don’t make a song & dance about it doesn’t mean we don’t know what Halfords are upto.

FactualFrank
Posts: 25445
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 12:46 am
Been Liked: 6930 times
Has Liked: 11660 times
Location: Leeds

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by FactualFrank » Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:11 pm

Surely the question is, why - "Twice". This is the main thing here.

Twice doesn't mean anything to profit. It means bugger all.

tim_noone
Posts: 17108
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:12 pm
Been Liked: 4384 times
Has Liked: 15117 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by tim_noone » Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:18 pm

tarkys_ears wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:18 pm
Im asking about the "part"

Say if a part cost £50, would you try charging £100 for it?
Never .....

GodIsADeeJay81
Posts: 14562
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2018 9:55 am
Been Liked: 3435 times
Has Liked: 6339 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by GodIsADeeJay81 » Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:23 pm

Jakubclaret wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:04 pm
Some people don’t need to question it because some people simply choose not to buy from Halfords, just because some people don’t make a song & dance about it doesn’t mean we don’t know what Halfords are upto.
I know people don't, but that's how they've made their millions.

Their workshops are also just as notorious for doing it, I know that because I've sold them the parts and heard their markups and again people just trust the brand.

If the objection is to the amount being charged for a part, then that's just a fact of life.
You can either shop around if you've got the luxury of being able to do so, or just accept it in this instance and let it go.

As someone else said, it isn't just the cost of the part it's sourcing it, getting it and transporting it to the job and it all costs time/money but I'm sure it would be cheaper than paying the tradesman his hourly rate for collecting and transporting said part.

A garage won't charge you the time your vehicle is sat on their ramp unable to move whilst they're waiting for a part just to be clear.

Tw@
Posts: 235
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 11:39 pm
Been Liked: 62 times
Has Liked: 707 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Tw@ » Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:32 pm

How do you know how much he actually paid for the part?

Jakubclaret
Posts: 9434
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2016 10:47 pm
Been Liked: 1180 times
Has Liked: 778 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Jakubclaret » Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:39 pm

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:23 pm
I know people don't, but that's how they've made their millions.

Their workshops are also just as notorious for doing it, I know that because I've sold them the parts and heard their markups and again people just trust the brand.

If the objection is to the amount being charged for a part, then that's just a fact of life.
You can either shop around if you've got the luxury of being able to do so, or just accept it in this instance and let it go.

As someone else said, it isn't just the cost of the part it's sourcing it, getting it and transporting it to the job and it all costs time/money but I'm sure it would be cheaper than paying the tradesman his hourly rate for collecting and transporting said part.

A garage won't charge you the time your vehicle is sat on their ramp unable to move whilst they're waiting for a part just to be clear.
You pay extra for the convenience it’s a 1 stop shop away from the brake fluid you pick the kids helmets up etc, in a fast paced society some people just don’t have the time to go to 4/5 other places, I can buy cheaper food than I can from Asda but I go there because I want to buy a card or pick some medicine up or buy some socks from George as well as the food shop, you pay extra for the convenience.

Lowbankclaret
Posts: 6571
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2016 4:42 pm
Been Liked: 1233 times
Has Liked: 56 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Lowbankclaret » Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:45 pm

As most people know I worked for RR.

I looked after a part that cost us £560 to buy from the supplier.

British Airways had an emergency request for parts , we charged them £12,680 each for 22 parts.

When BA challenged the price I was asked to attend a meeting to come up with a justification, I told them to FO.
This user liked this post: GodIsADeeJay81

duncandisorderly
Posts: 2443
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:58 pm
Been Liked: 970 times
Has Liked: 232 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by duncandisorderly » Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:51 pm

tarkys_ears wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:01 pm
Is it common to charge twice the cost for a part when you're doing a job? (plumbing, boiler etc)

Not what I'd consider "fair markup" but is it the norm?
Yes.

rufus lumley
Posts: 887
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 6:22 pm
Been Liked: 225 times
Has Liked: 7 times
Location: standing like a clock on the shelf

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by rufus lumley » Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:55 pm

I worked for a company that made showers they would charge sometimes up to 10 times to the end user for spare parts.Some people would go to Argos and pay for a new shower take the part out of that shower as it was cheaper to do that than pay the full price.
It was also known that some people took the shower back to Argos for a refund minus the taken out part.
This user liked this post: duncandisorderly

tim_noone
Posts: 17108
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:12 pm
Been Liked: 4384 times
Has Liked: 15117 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by tim_noone » Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:47 pm

Lowbankclaret wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:45 pm
As most people know I worked for RR.

I looked after a part that cost us £560 to buy from the supplier.

British Airways had an emergency request for parts , we charged them £12,680 each for 22 parts.

When BA challenged the price I was asked to attend a meeting to come up with a justification, I told them to FO.
No wonder Singapore is looking to get the work out there... :D
This user liked this post: Bosscat

Heathclaret
Posts: 439
Joined: Sun May 22, 2016 9:49 am
Been Liked: 190 times
Has Liked: 179 times
Location: Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln.

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Heathclaret » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:04 pm

tarkys_ears wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 6:18 pm
Im asking about the "part"

Say if a part cost £50, would you try charging £100 for it?
No.
These 2 users liked this post: tim_noone FactualFrank

Lowbankclaret
Posts: 6571
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2016 4:42 pm
Been Liked: 1233 times
Has Liked: 56 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Lowbankclaret » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:24 pm

tim_noone wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:47 pm
No wonder Singapore is looking to get the work out there... :D
Think the strike action has put a big spanner in that.

Just so you know parts made in Singapore are more expensive than the UK.

bfcjg
Posts: 13153
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 8:17 pm
Been Liked: 5002 times
Has Liked: 6716 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by bfcjg » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:31 pm

The normal mark up for a part would be the difference between what you can get it for having a trade account and what a customer could buy it for plus perhaps 5-10% .

dsr
Posts: 15138
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:47 pm
Been Liked: 4549 times
Has Liked: 2241 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by dsr » Tue Jan 12, 2021 1:27 am

Possible mitigating factor: has the tradesman had to buy more than one of this part and he's only selling you one with the possibility of not getting rid of the others?

Or is he including as part of the mark-up, the labour element of going to fetch it?

FactualFrank
Posts: 25445
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 12:46 am
Been Liked: 6930 times
Has Liked: 11660 times
Location: Leeds

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by FactualFrank » Tue Jan 12, 2021 1:39 am

Heathclaret wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:04 pm
No.
That is funnier than it should be.

MACCA
Posts: 15591
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:10 am
Been Liked: 4360 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by MACCA » Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:25 am

Depends the cost of "the part"

A lot of magazines or brochures will have a price in for the parts however at the trade counter you'll probably pay 50% less anyway.

We used to mark up our parts, but all depends on the the size of the job, the length it took and the cost of the part, as usually it would be a case of

Get a call
Book in the job
Go to the job
Diagnose the issue
Brief chat with customer
Ring through to trade counter/suppliers
Go pick it up there and then
Return, sometimes a bit later with traffic and distance
Fit part
Run test and make sure all is working well
Get haggled on price
Write out receipt

30 minute job has taken up 2 hours of your time, quite a bit of driving and ringing around.

Sometimes the part might not even be in, and it's a call back a week or so later.
Sometimes after leaving you get a call saying actually they wont bother, cant afford etc ( you having lost time )
Sometimes there might need a bit of after care

Also you've got to factor in business costs too.

Only speaking from the point of a one man band self employed tradesman.
This user liked this post: bfcjg

Burnley1989
Posts: 7346
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2018 2:19 am
Been Liked: 2275 times
Has Liked: 2154 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Burnley1989 » Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:41 am

My business is a reseller for large capital equipment and everything is marked up 40%, cost rarely comes into things when you sell on the value added to your business and continued support you get. Obviously it’s different to small products.

It’s your choice, you either pay it, or you don’t but it’s pointless moaning about it, we’ve all got to earn a living.

claretonthecoast1882
Posts: 10088
Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2018 1:59 pm
Been Liked: 4161 times
Has Liked: 57 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by claretonthecoast1882 » Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:00 am

If it is a fault that you yourself could diagnose, obtain the part and fit it yourself then you could argue you have been overcharged.

If however it is not something you could do then you are paying for the trademans knowledge and expertise so yes it is common.

Heathclaret
Posts: 439
Joined: Sun May 22, 2016 9:49 am
Been Liked: 190 times
Has Liked: 179 times
Location: Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln.

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Heathclaret » Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:18 am

We hardly ever mark up on what we supply. For instance, if we are up grading a bathroom, we will recommend two companies we deal with to our customer, the companies provide a free design service. If the customer is happy with the design they pick their new shower, bath etc we and give them a price. There is a small difference in public and trade price, not much. We pass on the full discount and charge for our time and whatever else is required separately. We don’t mark up on anything most of the time. If we do, it wouldn’t be more than 20% and only if it is a low cost item. If the customer wants to buy the bathroom equipment on line, the fitting price will be based in the job itself.

I’m not saying tradesmen shouldn’t mark up, just that we generally don’t and if we do, it’s no more than 20%.

ClaretCliff
Posts: 413
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 3:13 pm
Been Liked: 187 times
Has Liked: 135 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by ClaretCliff » Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:33 pm

An engineer was called out to fix a large machine in a factory. He replaced a screw and left 5 minutes later after handing over a bill for £500. The factory manager said that was ridiculous and that he wanted a detailed breakdown of the costs and so the engineer gave him a new invoice -
For replacing a screw - 50p.
For knowing which screw to replace, £499.50p

Bosscat
Posts: 25362
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8427 times
Has Liked: 18096 times

Re: FAO Tradesmen.

Post by Bosscat » Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:41 pm

ClaretCliff wrote:
Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:33 pm
An engineer was called out to fix a large machine in a factory. He replaced a screw and left 5 minutes later after handing over a bill for £500. The factory manager said that was ridiculous and that he wanted a detailed breakdown of the costs and so the engineer gave him a new invoice -
For replacing a screw - 50p.
For knowing which screw to replace, £499.50p
👍🤣👍

Post Reply