Tiler or Plumber

**gordonu2** · 02-12-2008

Hi, relatively new at this game but was wondering your views on removing WC & basins. Just had a blazing row with a customer who wanted 3 toilet floors tiled and WC & basins removed. But my original quote didn't include taking these off. I've ply lined and tiled 1 floor but now the wc is at hte wrong height. Should I have told the customer to get a plumber to take them out? What a nightmare. Cheers

**bigandy** · 02-12-2008

Did the customer originally tell you they wanted them removed?or was this not discussed?personally i always discuss this on give a price,i prefer to remove them for ease.always a difficult one if it's not been talked about but is normally an easy fix you can buy angled or flexi waste pipes quite cheaply

**Oli** · 02-12-2008

Some are easy to remove, i tend to find that in newer houses they have isolation valves and flexi conntectors fitted so shutting them off and removing them is relativley straight forward, you should have plumbing on your liability insurance though incase it goes wrong. Older installations tend to be piped straigh to copper and therefore isolating them and removing them is not as easy and the pipes will need to be modified to accomodate the change in height. I have a plumber who does my removal and refits if i am any doubt whatsoever. better to be safe that sorry.

**davy_G** · 02-12-2008

If your not experienced enough and your insurance doesnt cover you removing these then dont do it. Tell them to get a plumber before the tiling can be done.
As long as they have shut-offs and are not installed into concrete wastes then you will generally be OK as bigAndy mentioned flexi couplings are readily available.
As he also mentioned this should all be sorted prior to starting andy job and priced accordingly.

Basically if its simple i do it, if it looks like it may be a ballache let them sort a plumber....unless you know one and then he can scratch your back as well

doug boardley · 02-12-2008

was it mentioned on your quote? if not you could point this out to customer. Personally, if isolator valves are fitted i don't mind taking them out and re-fitting pot ware,customers tend to appreciate it, I certainly wouldn't fall out with a customer over it, these are the people who can get you future work in the form of referalls!

Grace'sDad · 02-12-2008

It is VERY worthwhile learning how to do this (properly).
It can give you a big edge over the competition.

You need a pipe slice, speedfit flexis with isolators, and off-set pan/soil pipe couplers. It really is easy when you know how.

Of course, if you are based anywhere around the Preston area, don't attempt it - it will all go horribly wrong and you'll probably flood the customer's house. Much safer to insist on a plumber IMO!!!

**BDS** · 03-12-2008

If your not competent person in that trade ie;plumbing weather its basic or not best leave it to some who is.

or learn it properly.when compiling my quotes i put in price for removing/reinstalling these cos it comes as part of the job,but thats just me and how i do my quotes

**LM Ceramics** · 03-12-2008

Originally Posted by Grace'sDad

It is VERY worthwhile learning how to do this (properly).
It can give you a big edge over the competition.

You need a pipe slice, speedfit flexis with isolators, and off-set pan/soil pipe couplers. It really is easy when you know how.

Of course, if you are based anywhere around the Preston area, don't attempt it - it will all go horribly wrong and you'll probably flood the customer's house. Much safer to insist on a plumber IMO!!!

haha am i ok to do this mark or should i get a plumber LOL