Sparks vs Plumbers... What's the score?

[Deuce]

What's the beef?

Unusually, I'm a member of both electricians forums and plumbers forums, I work across both areas, in fact I frequently combine water and electricity in many varied and fun ways!

This leads me to ask why sparks and plumbers are forever complaining about each other in their own circles? I wonder if it's something to do with one feeling the other has the easier job? A spark might feel that whilst they need qualification, anyone can plumb in most instances. Whereas a plumber might feel that a spark has the luxury of knowing a good job when they complete it will remain a good job for a very long time, but a plumber can do everything right and leak check, pressure test etc and then a day later, there is a leak - because they effectively work blind (in plumbing you rely upon method, you can rarely visually check the seal you create).

Or is it just because it's fun? I'm fine about it either way, just curious!

 

[ipf]

Getting a plumber to repair my boiler was difficult. After 5 or six calls one guy said he would come but it cost £100 to arrive at my door.

He came and asked for the money so I told him I would pay him before he left and could he look at the boiler.

We went to the bathroom and he glanced at it then said he didn't know the make and could I pay him now I said lucky you look there's information and drawings on the top of the boiler.

He read them and fiddled with it for a bit then said it was an electrical fault and I needed to call an electrician and could I pay him now. I said you are really lucky, I am an electrician

He pointed to a part of the boiler and said this valve isn't opening, so I checked for voltage and said it's got a supply your valve is stuck.

I don't know where to get a new one so can you pay me now. I gave him the drawings again and showed him the contact details for the supplier

He phoned them and ordered one. He said that it would take two days and cost £150 including fitting and could I pay him now. I gave him the £100 and said I would pay the rest when he got the boiler working

Two days later the job was done and I paid him the balance. Who said you can take a horse to water but you can't make it drink?

With a job of that size he wouldn't have got a cent off me before it was in perfect working order.
These p****s want who want paying up front!...….has he no accounts at suppliers? Can't be much of a business if he pays up front for his materials.

 

[telectrix]

i pay for materials upfront. reason being is i don't want a huge account bill arriving 4 weeks after doing a job, then being quiet and using the monies for other things and then struggling to pay off the account. i always get an upfront payment of 50% from customer on any jobs over £200. works for me as a one man concern.

 

[ipf]

Getting a plumber to repair my boiler was difficult. After 5 or six calls one guy said he would come but it cost £100 to arrive at my door.

i pay for materials upfront. reason being is i don't want a huge account bill arriving 4 weeks after doing a job, then being quiet and using the monies for other things and then struggling to pay off the account. i always get an upfront payment of 50% from customer on any jobs over £200. works for me as a one man concern.

Fair enough tel, as a one man band in your case, with agreement made. But cash for turning up when he's not even seen the job is rubbish......and I don't think, in a similar situation, you would be saying 'give me 100 up front before I change your light fitting......I'll get the stuff in a couple a days and install it, before final payment'.
……..and I'd want a safety certificate for the work.

Fair enough tel, as a one man band in your case, with agreement made. But cash for turning up when he's not even seen the job is rubbish......and I don't think, in a similar situation, you would be saying 'give me 100 up front before I change your light fitting......I'll get the stuff in a couple a days and install it, before final payment'.
……..and I'd want a safety certificate for the work.​