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I don’t know if anybody saw the programme on BBC 1 (9pm Tues 8/6/04) dedicated to showing how a ‘Top Flight’ plumbing outfit operate?
There was a lot we could gain from this programme in this trade, in that it highlighted how well organised, large, efficient and disciplined company could operate and make loads of dosh by targetting the ‘top end’ of the market.
No wonder Meile have got a posh fleet of vans 😉
http://www.pimlicoplumbers.com/index.htm?welcome.asp~Body
That reminds me, must see how my valet is getting on washing my van 🙄
Martin
Re: Posh Plumbers
Yes I saw it.
Did anyone pick up what the rates of pay were, £50 to £90K depending on the plumbers skills etc.
I was impressed by the operation along with the van cleaning & support staff on site. All this comes at a cost to the end user though. As long as they are honest & up front with the customers, then they can operate at these levels.
It is a shame the likes of us, with as much, if not more expertise, are not recognised the same. It is no wonder this industry is evaporating.
Alex
Re: Posh Plumbers
Missed the prog but Pimlico Plumbers are very well known in the London area due to their van number plates LAV1, BOG1 etc. Not such a hot reputation though.
Re: Posh Plumbers
Kentish wrote:I wouldnt trust them
Pretty bold albeit somewhat vague statement to make ❓ I wonder what you mean by that as they appeared to being a pretty slick outfit on the telly? A company (now a ‘plc’) that has grown from strength to strength employing top flight tradesmen operating in a ‘posh’ part of town with a client base of discerning wealthy customers 😉
It seems the ideal situation we in this trade can only dream of and I wonder if there is a Domestic Appliance Service Company here in the UK (other than Meile of course) who can come anywhere near close 😕
Have they buggered up your boiler Kentish or what I wonder?
Martin
The trouble is Martin that in that part of the world a decent plumber can cost up to £60K to employ, from what I hear the minimum around London these days is £30K for a plumber and they’re even getting paid that in Scotland now as a matter of course.
So, if you’re gonna pay those kinda wages you have to charge for it and you have to look the part to be able to charge for it I should imagine. That doesn’t mean you’re good at anything except for marketing yourself to those willing to pay the price you set. 😉
As for this industry, not a chance!
A house, to which plumbing is normally fitted ;), is of a far higher value and concern than even a Miele machine. Hence the plumbers can get away with charging almost what they like whereas we cannot and, until lately, there’s always been some other fool down the road that would do what you do, only cheaper.
K.
Re: Posh Plumbers
Put it this way..yes they have grown and gotten big, but having seen some of their invoices their callout fees make even any of the manufacturers in our game look small.
But then, if they can make a success out of it what does it matter to me…but I wouldnt have them do work for me.Re: Posh Plumbers
The conclusion being that we’re all in the wrong business then eh? 🙄 Posh houses worth a fortune, money no object, name your price 😀
Nah! I for one am very happy in my lot BUT at least I can relate my business ethic to many adopted by Pimlico Plumbers, i.e Smart shiny sign written van with cherished number plates, well turned out every day with clean fresh uniform, start promptly at 8:30, check my job list and away to face my first batch of happy smiley faces! 😉
Couldn’t do that if I were a plumber having to face a blocked bog!! 🙁 No way man!!!! 8)
Martin
Re: Posh Plumbers
I know this is an old thread, but after seeing an appearance of the boss of Pimlico Plumbers on Channel 4’s Thatcher tribute programme, I thought I’d take a quick look at their website to see if anything had changed.
I noticed they now do appliance repairs, and their charges interested me – £80+VAT per hour during normal working hours, rising to £200+VAT per hour in the early hours. Minimum charge of one hour, additional time charged in quarter hour increments. Fixed charge of £80+VAT to dispose of an old appliance.
These rates seem high to me, but I guess there are many rich people in Central London who wouldn’t mind paying?
Re: Posh Plumbers
Its an interesting prospect for some guys in certain areas, however you don’t have to be in a brand new van to offer excellent service.
Personally I’d rather be offering what I believe is excellent service to all rather that aim at a certain bunch of people and screw them for that pleasure
One thing I this day and age is important is being multi skilled.
I’m currently taking my 17th edition update just so I can offer electrical work again, I don’t intend to go full spark again but rite place and rite time ect.
Re: Posh Plumbers
I wonder how much manufacturers charge for service in central London now? £80 + vat would seem cheap to be honest in that neck of the woods. I bet some manufacturers charge a lot more then that! I suppose their plumbers make their money on out of hours call outs which really wouldn’t happen in our trade.
Your right same as everything else you need to be multi skilled nowadays to be in with a chance of getting anywhere, i know its cost and time but say for example of you do your gas why don’t you add the boilers, gas fires etc to your acs etc same with the electrics do your 17th or even one of those 5 days course for part p etc then at least you can do extra remedial work when you see something dodgy (bit like British gas) instead of passing work over and at least you have always got strings to your bow. I’m not saying do a full rewire or boiler swap but the smaller stuff you could definatly do instead of warning the customer and walking out the door with nothing for it!
I know its expensive and its time but in the current climate its got to be better then nothing.Re: Posh Plumbers
stratfordgirl wrote:These rates seem high to me, but I guess there are many rich people in Central London who wouldn’t mind paying?
Don’t forget you are talking of a company that is at the very top of the trade in all aspects of their services. The rates reflect what quality buys you in central London and their top guys are on over 100k pa. Salaries almost impossible to conceive in the white goods trade for most folk I shouldn’t wonder. 😀
Re: Posh Plumbers
I raised my profile by visiting the local fire station where they offered a charity car wash. My dirty salt laden van was promptly hosed down literally and lathered up by a bunch female firefighters and well behaved youths from young firefighters association.
My young 6 years old son screamed with excitement. But it ain’t gonna earn me £100k a year it was a lot fun. I think there are more fun being low paid than being rich.
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