A Tale of Two Plumbers

B Michaels Plumbing repaired a leaking basin waste in July 2017 and charged R560-49 (ex VAT). There were no spare parts involved. B Michaels Plumbing are not members of the Institute of Plumbing (SA). Three months later, the basin waste started to leak again. The owner of B Michaels Plumbing, Brian Michaels, informed me personally (telephonically) that B Michaels Plumbing maintenance work did not carry any guarantee. I phoned RC Bosman Plumbers, who came out and replaced the waste trap. There charge was R515 labour and R60 for a new waste trap and sundries (ex VAT). I was given a 1 year guarantee on workmanship.

The moral of the Tale of Two Plumbers is Clear: use a plumber who is sufficiently confident to offer a workmanship guarantee, compare costs, and use a plumber who is a member of the Instiute Of Plumbing (SA) as you will have recourse (which I do not have) in case of a dispute.