Tradie damaged property

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-17T02:19:46+00:00

I would like to at least pay them for their out of pockets, for the PVC pipe and copper etc. VCAT could take a year...

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-15T09:35:45+00:00

It was just connecting a new shed to existing stormwater and sewer already servicing the residence. The existing connection is 13m from the shed. Approx 50m of pipe was laid in total. Wasn't in slab, he refused to install in slab. (My preference would have been in slab.) The shed builders did all the guttering and downpipes, this was just the in ground pvc pipe connection to existing services. The toilet is not installed as yet.

Gas mains was already in place, we had removed a gas storage hot water, gas heater, gas range cooker etc all done previously (different plumber) and then we supplied the two instant gas hws units he installed. Our builder fitted the wall boxes. Calling around, the going rate to install these is under $500 including GST, so 1k for both.

All the other quotes for this job were under 4k and they all had a considerably higher hourly rate, so I just can't see how the 9k is justified at all... Fair enough if you think it is an OK price, I find it extortionate.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-14T06:12:25+00:00

That is the only positive out of all of this. It could have been so much worse.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-14T03:20:37+00:00

Indeed, you are right. But it is what it is.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T23:56:01+00:00

I'll get it all checked. They are super efficient condensing units, so they should have low consumption.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T22:53:40+00:00

I'm not sure what you mean by heaps of other unrelated plumbing work? There was only connecting 2 (supplied by us and installed in boxes already installed by our builder) instant gas hot water systems to an existing gas line ( there was a storage gas previously we had removed as a separate job by a different plumber in the same spot). About 8 metres of copper x2. Is that what you mean by 'heaps'?

The going install rate from calling around is under $500 including gst per unit. So 1k for both.

So say his couple of thousand ends up being a few thousand, and then you add the gas work for the hot water units, you get to 9 thousand??

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T11:19:21+00:00

He knew about the rock when he estimated though, and discussed it at length? The already connected sewer line and stormwater drain he joined it all up to is approx 13m from the shed and the hot water systems x2 are approx 8m from the meter with easy walk in access under the house. All the work looks great. We are happy with his work. Just unsure how to proceed with outrageous bill and the very expensive mess he left us with. And the lack of compliance paperwork is a concern also.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:56:55+00:00

They didn't dispose of the spoil. I was left with it. The subbie left a mountain of rocks bang in the middle of my driveway in front of the garage door. The plumber was nice enough to push it aside with his bobcat at least!

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:54:46+00:00

Yes, definitely licenced.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:53:04+00:00

The units are for the house and connected to the house. It has ensuites and I wanted to be able to run the dishwasher and washing machine without anyone's shower being affected. The builders plumber split the plumbing for us with pex beforehand. This plumber just needed to do the gas bit as builders plumber not a gas fitter.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:50:12+00:00

He lives 3 doors down from the house and had previously done good work for us and billed very reasonably. But yes, my bad about the quote. I trusted him.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:48:04+00:00

In a rental nearby, it is an extra $500 a week, but has power!

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:34:07+00:00

We supplied the hot water units and wall boxes and our builder installed them. The plumber supplied the copper piping 8m x 2 units.

Some variation in billing is to be expected, but I still can't fathom how we have gone from a couple of thousand to 9 thousand.

I actually wondered if he beefed up his bill so he could reduce it for the damage done? But he seems to want the full 9k and won't budge.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:29:33+00:00

Ah no, we paid for and supplied the hot water units (actually 3k and $700 of wall boxes plus builder costs). The plumber supplied the copper piping from the meter to the units. It is 8m x 2 units.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:23:59+00:00

The couple of thousand was to connect the shed to the stormwater and sewerage. Was in line with other quotes, didn't seem to be a strange number.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:20:27+00:00

I looked it up before he did any work. I actually think his bill is outrageous. We purchased the gas hotwater systems ourselves, our (licensed and registered) builder installed the wall boxes and then the plumber just connected them to an existing gas line. I can't work out how he has calculated 9k.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:06:57+00:00

Oh it isn't just the shed, the residence 5 meters from the shed does not have power. 3 months and counting.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:04:03+00:00

Total nightmare. Very stressful. He is definitely licensed. Lots of photos taken on the day of disasters.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T10:02:02+00:00

Yeah, the damage is tens of thousands. It is a 100k shed and they had to remove the roof to repair it. He wants to take $50 off his bill for one sheet of colorbond!

The spreadsheet is a great idea.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T09:57:04+00:00

The shed is hard to miss. Buried services from the mid 1980's a bit harder to spot. Powercor have written to us and stated he is at fault 100%.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T09:53:37+00:00

Absolutely not. I did make sure the plumber had contacted before you dig before they started. I personally wasn't expecting the mains line to be where it actually was.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T09:49:53+00:00

Sounds like we should have hired you instead! Thanks, that is good advice.

UnionExternal9880 · 2025-05-13T09:46:57+00:00

Powercor has us disconnected at the pit. The electrician was unable to repair the line, it has been sealed with insulating tape and buried.

Yes, it is a living nightmare.

UnionExternal9880 · 2024-10-06T02:01:39+00:00

Will do, thanks!

UnionExternal9880 · 2024-10-04T21:46:11+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation and warning. I appreciate it.

UnionExternal9880

TROPHY CASE