[zande]

I called a plumber today, probably the first time ever (except a bathroom reno we did some years ago at our previous house). We have had a blocked toilet on and off for the past year since we bought the house so thought we'd get it sorted.

Guy was here prob a half hour, didn't do much, besides check the main drain to the street and try to physically unblock it with a plunger. Said he couldn't see the blockage so he'd have to remove the toilet and in doing that, it might break. I said to go ahead as the blockage needed to be fixed and if that was what he had to do, then so be it.

Sure enough, he broke the toilet LOL! Anyway, said the only way he could be sure what was causing the problem was to send a camera down. So he booked that for tomorrow, as well as the install of a new toilet (supplied by them).

He billed me today $195, which included a call-out and labour. Tomorrow will cost me call-out fee, labour for the camera work and the toilet price of $499 includes install. I said to go ahead, as I didn't really know what was the done thing, and all I knew was I had a broken toilet and no idea about what the original blockage was.

Does this all sound good practise? Is this what happens when you get a blocked loo?

[SensibleSis]

I would not expect to pay second callout fee as it is for the same job.

[qak]

A plunger?
I would have expected that he would have an electric eel?
I have never heard of them breaking your toilet to fix a blockage ...

[archy's mehi...]

Um.. when we had a blocked loo the plumber had a snake (long metal flexible thing that got fed into the drain from an outside access point). Certainly didn't need to remove the toilet itself. Not all plumbers have a snake though, and they also come in various lengths.

[*LucyE*]

He should have used the camera/snake/eel first instead of removing the toilet.

There should be no second call out fee because its the same job.

He sounds dodgy but knows you are relying on him now because you have a broken toilet.

If you can manage without a toilet, I'd suggest finding another plumber and asking them to bring the camera on the first visit. No point replacing the toilet if it potentially will be damaged fixing the blockage.

[CallMeProtart]

No expertise here but I find removing (and breaking) the toilet before using the camera very odd...

[qak]

AFAIK toilets are concreted on, they don't ever get moved to clear a blockage!

[ednaboo]

The plumber we use has only ever charged me one call out fee, for the original call out. (He unblocked a storm water drain, and came back 2 years later when it blocked again.)

[LifesGood]

OMG! He has to be kidding! A plunger?!! He broke your toilet??!!! And he wants to charge you for it??

Do not pay this d***head and do not let him continue the job. A second call-out fee!! I'm ready to hit the a*s*hole for you I'm so mad at what he has done.

You have a blocked sewer line. It requires an electric eel or Jet Blaster to be inserted to the various sewer access points around your home until the blockage is cleared.

Some plumbers don't have these as they are expensive to buy, but they can rent them for your job. The dodgy plumber who has unfortunately caused you more trouble obviously doesn't have one.

Call a reputable plumber and report the d***head to the plumbing licensing authority in your state and/or the dept of fair trading. I suspect you should be able to claim damages from him for breaking your toilet.

Good grief! I need a cup of tea to calm down...

Please let us know how you go.

[zande]

Thank you all, glad my "bullsh*t detector" was on the mark, something wasn't sitting right with me. I've called and cancelled for tomorrow, I won't name the company but it was a large one. This guy's invoice was for a different company, apparently they are sub-contractors or something. Will get a second op from a new plumber and then go from there! Thank you all, you've hopefully saved me some $$!!