Some guys on my street were yapping about a local handyman who was threatened by a local plumber over the types of jobs the handyman was doing. The plumber claimed that handyman was taking away work from the plumber doing minor repairs that normally a plumber would have been called for. From what I understand the Handyman charges $15 an hour the plumber $70. I assume the work was pretty minor stuff replacing taps and fixing running toilets, things of that nature.
As a homeowner I can see both sides of the argument. The plumber went to great lengths to get a license but the jobs being performed don’t require much skill. I also think that a homeowner has the right to hire anybody they want to do the job. What do you think? What’s the law say?
Replies
around here .... they can't do most of what they do ... do.
no plumbing or electric ... unless licensed ... which ... they ain't.
I've done some midnite plumbing and electric in my days ...
But no more.
Just not worth the risk.
HO's on the other hand ... can most anything on their own homes ...
Just as long as they apply for the proper permit ...
Ahh .. ha ha ....
Sure .. that happens all the time!
Jeff
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
I think the law varies state to state.
Here in Alaska a handymans lic. will allow you to do any job as long as the total project is $10,000 or less as long as you're bonded and insured.
I personally have no problem with who they hire as long as the handyman has some kind of lic., bond and ins.
Dave
What the law says will vary from state to state and localities within states.
Do any electrical here in Maine for money and you havre broken the law. If you do something careless that results in injury to another person, it becomes a class E felony instead of a simple misdemeanor. The fines can be big time.
Plumbing install here has to be done by licensed or owner of the building. Replacing a faucet is OK. Fixing a leak is unwise without license.
Me - If I touch plumbing, it will leak. That is a given.
;)
the important thing for a HO to consider is not how hard the job at hand is in terms of skjill but how experienced the handyman is. The required skills are ofter wqay more than anticipated, and I have seen way too many houses and house parts ruined by improper work, as well intentioned as it was.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
>> Me - If I touch plumbing, it will leak. That is a given.
That kind of puts you beyond temptation's grasp, doesn't it. :o)
Edited 2/10/2004 6:43:14 PM ET by Uncle Dunc
Oh one of those to change a faucet washer means that you'll end up back at the city tap or the well head...
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
Oiffin sounds like your from Maine too. What part? Im up in Bangor
Ive worked around the state , Bar Harbor, Portland, Ellsworth, Surry Winterport, Waterville and Bucksport mostly Bangor as its home. dogboy
Look out into the Bay from the Route One bridge in Belfast and you'll see my place
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Wow your not far away at all, Steve ( woodslut ) and I are up here in Bangor anytime you com up here and you have time let us know , maybe meet for lunch.
Always enjoy meeting other tool guys.
Dogboy
Most of this is up to the AHJ, Authority Having Jurisdiction. Building inspection or public works department.
In many areas the rules, as written, make doing just about anything a job requiring a permit and calling in a licensed contractor. In theory it goes all the way down to changing a lightbulb and tightening a faucet bonnet. Most inspectors, at least in growth areas, are over worked and have little desire to bird dog the screwing in of lightbulbs.
This is often contradicted by rules allowing HOs to do much of their own work as long as they are inhabiting the premises. This usually supports a lively 'grey market' business in glorified real estate people buying homes. Serially moving in and renovating, often butchering, homes. Largely free from inspections and controls.
Faced with these contradictions and the issues associated with hiring a full bore contractor for minor job versus a local unregulated handyman botching it for much less many local jurisdictions have opened up a looser contractor category. Usually termed a 'handyman' license, or some such term.
This often qualifies as a light version of a general contractor. You can do a lot of things but there are strictly defined limits. Sometimes these are proscriptive limits and other times monetary. Something like being able to do electrical work within a device box but not adding cables or working within the main panel, other than turning off the breaker. Or something like a $200 limit on a job.
I have had a few discussions with inspectors and a couple or these licensed handymen but understand that there are great differences in jurisdictions. Often down to the county or city level.
You have brought up a difficult subject here at Breaktime . Most of the pros here "sell' labor and are touchy when their money is in jeopardy. On the other hand a homeowner has rights . On the other hand a handiman has rights . On the other hand there are ways that are better than others at skinning cats.
As mentioned laws vary , but how its accomplished is more important . In Arkansas , a homeowner can plumb his own new house. Should he ? Most cases not . Plumbers have a vast knowledge base contrary to popular believe . In many cases they overcharge , but thats not speaking for all of them. Their trade is to be respected greatly, but in reality they cost a lot of money for repair work. Most handi men cant handle the tasks of repair profeciantly. It takes years to know trouble shooting with out wasted motion . Sometimes when a plumber is there for an hour and charges 150.00 , its because hes knowledgeable and solves the problem in a short amount of time. Would I pay it ? No.
A home owner can do any plumbing after his home is built . If he was to ask for some help while he did it , its very legal as long a bill doesnt address it from someone else. Its the home owners call most of the time.
A handi man doesnt need to advertise plumbing , he will find plenty . I would suggest that he keep his mouth shut and his hands busy lending a helping hand. . Self explanatory . [ It is the home owners call, not the plumber]
In this state a homeowner can plumb his own new house .
Some pros here have mentioned that they dont fool with plumbing at all . I dont understand that completely , but respect it.
Tim Mooney
Edited 2/11/2004 8:58:54 AM ET by Tim Mooney
Here in the PRC, (Calif) no matter what you call yourself contractor/handyman you have to be licensed in order to charge over $500 a job. I heard somewhere they raised the amount but I have not seen it written anywhere.
Darkworksite4:
Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN
Here in North Carolina, it can vary from county to county. In my county, a handyman can replace plumbing and electrical fixtures. (And a HO can do literally anything to his own home.) In this case, "behind the wall" is specifically defined as any changes that are past the surface.
So, if that ceiling fan will require a different workbox, it requires a license.
I am a handyman, and I follow these rules very closely. I have a relationship with an electrical contractor, a plumber, and an HVAC guy (also licensed and restricted here). They know that I won't "take their work", because I have hired them often enough. I refer my clients to them when asked. And in return, they have referred customers to me.
Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.
Like you, I'm a handyman (handyperson), but I also don't restrict myself to small repairs. I've come to realize that I can handle bigger jobs: I just tend to change my work criteria.
For a small job I might work o all the trades' area and finish everything within a day. But then I may have a 4 week thing which calls for me to hire a carp., grab my electrician and call in my plumber.
I'm never shy to call in the pros when the situation warrents.
But, being able and willing to take on jobs smaller thanGC would gets me into the house and available for the big ones too - where I can REALLY make a little money.Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
I'm a retired electrical contrator from Arizona, just got to NC last April. I have read the NC law, and I'm not happy about it. As I read it, it says if I change a light bulb without a license, it's a class 2 misdemenor, whatever that is.
Since I got here I have been arguing with the Examiners over whether or not I have enought experience to take the test. They want notarized affidavits from two employers. Hey, they are all dead or gone!
If I read you rightly, perhaps I should go talk to the Madison County Building Inspecter. That right?
Frank Heatherington
Where are you at in NC and what law were you reading?
Edited 2/15/2004 1:07:13 AM ET by RASCONC
Well, thanks. Since I intended from the start to get a license the first thing I did was to contact the (hang on) North Carolina State Board of Electrical Examiners. They sent me a copy of the law, about five pounds of it.
I think I'll go talk to the local inspector here in Madison County, and tell him my situation, and see what he says.
I'm in Madison County, between Marshall and Mars Hill
Welcome to the hills. We are in Old Fort, at exit 73 on I-40. There is an acquaintance of mine that lives near you, Junk Man Supreme. Bernard Coates around Mars Hill. Has a very large salvage bldg. materials operation in Asheville that is currently shut down for the winter/firemarshall. Has some excellent buys and probably has a pile of stuff at home.
Bob
I'm new here, as I may have said. Where is Exit 73? I havn't yet met this friend of yours. I do like salvage yards, and I ought to take a look at his. You can find all sorts of stuff in places like that, and I have been known to sell some of my junk that was too usefull to someone else to throw away.
For reference I believe the East Asheville exit where 240 and 40 come together is exit 53. Exit 73 is 20 to the East at the foot of the mountain 1420 msl. There are quite a few of us hillbillys and some transplants who live around here on Breaktime.
As I read it, it says if I change a light bulb without a license, it's a class 2 misdemenor,
I have not actually read the law itself. I checked with my local building inspectors department, and I did a bunch of reading on the NC official websites.
http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Home/Marshal.asp?PARAMSection=sidEngineeringCode
Because I didn't read the law, it is quite possible that I misunderstood. But, the building inspectors, and the licensed guys that I've talked to, agree that I am allowed to change fixtures, but do nothing "behind the wall".
Yes, you should check with your local officials. It is quite possible that you are allowed to do the same as I am here. And what I've found is that there is some demand. There's not enough to make a full time living, but I do lots of things other than change light fixtures.
Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.
" agree that I am allowed to change fixtures, but do nothing 'behind the wall'."
"... other than change light fixtures."
These days it is not so easy to change a light fixture without doing something "behind the wall". All of the light fixtures I see require upgrading the wiring to, what is it?, 90 degree centigrade rating?? I'm pretty sure I've not spent more than an hour in the past several years doing work in homes new enough to be wired with that wire.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Are you sure the wire you are talking about is not the fixture wire itself? Romex is still allowed, and last I heard it is 60* C wire.
No, NM-B is 90 degree rated insulation and you can use 90 for hookup and for the base for derating. But it is still limited to the 60 degree column for maximum amperage.
"No, NM-B is 90 degree rated insulation and you can use 90 for hookup and for the base for derating."
I have no idea what that sentence means.
I've 'bout decided that when a new light fixture is being installed and the wiring is the older stuff to simply put in a junction box a couple of feet from the light fixture and splice the new wire to the old wire there and then run it to the light.
Does that work??
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
"I've 'bout decided that when a new light fixture is being installed and the wiring is the older stuff to simply put in a junction box a couple of feet from the light fixture and splice the new wire to the old wire there and then run it to the light.
Does that work?? "
Yes.
Now I have heard that people just make a 6" pigtail of 90 degree wire and put it in the same box. Not real sure what that accomplish.
If the problem is heat connected through the fixture wiring that would be OK.
But if it is heat build up in the box from the fixture you still have the orginal wiring in the box.
I will say that I have been told to change out fixtures, and when I pulled the old wiring connections down to work on, I got hit in the face with a shower of insulation. But that was on that old rubber covered stuff. I have never had that happen with any romex. I wired new houses and businesses almost exclusively. I ALWAYS run the power to the switch. Nothing over the fixture but a switch leg.
"Most of the pros here "sell' labor and are touchy when their money is in jeopardy. On the other hand a homeowner has rights "
Tim,
Not trying to pick atcha but I'm not so sure that it'sthe money issue. For me and many that I know, it is the quality issue. There are so many times that I ahve had to take somnething apart and rebuild it after it was "repaired" the year before or the week before by an unskilled person. I live and have almost always lived where licensing is not the issue. For plumbers, guess who gets called back out on the fourth of July or Christmass Eve when leak springs in the porr work of the handyman. Do you suppose that effects the attitude of plumbers towards handymen?
Don't get me wrong, I don't believe in state licensing and prefer the old caveat emptor rule and I can understand and sympathize with foilks who need a handyman. My recent visit top Florida showed me the vast market there for anyone who can and will work.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
The paragraph you used was me trying to say that , " its hard to advise one way or another because we have hani men and plumbers here . Thats all I meant by the opening statement.
What I dont understand is why carps [or who ever ] dont try . I dont see why when it comes to electricity or plumbing why a carp doesnt learn it to further his education .
I mentioned both sides of the issue as I think you did also . It depends a lot on the handiman or the plumber . Ill give a good point:
A homeowner I personally know was standing in front of the parts bin for faucet parts in this magnificent hardware store we have here. He said , you do a lot of plumbing . I cant find the part . I explained that the part he had would have to be ordered from a plumber re: a plumbing supply house . 150 for the plumber , 50 for parts comes to 200.00 dollars . I said why dont you just spend 50 and replace it here with a new faucet . You can change it your self in 5 minutes with a basin wrench. So for 60 dollars in 5 minutes , the problem is over .
I run into that a-l-l the time .
Tim Mooney
I agree ... to a point.
I can plumb and wire with the best of them ....
full well knowing my limits ...
But it's not worth a few extra bucks trying to get away with work that requires a permit and inspection in a paying customers house.
Plus ..... I'll be the first to say my plumber and electrician know lots more than I ever will.
I even have a buddy that ran all the electric for his last company ... big time additions ... he was hired on as a carp. Knows tons about electric ...
He just asked me if I had any work for him ... I said Sure ... after you can pull a permit and get the inspection. He's not licensed ... he's as useful to me on electric as I am. We can both make the lights go on ... but we'd both have to hide when the county inspector came around.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
You are talking about inspection type work which I agree. Any time you are running plumbing for an inspection , then a plumber has paid his way to be there. Changing a faucet or a commode in a house doesnt change the plumbing system and doesnt require an inspection. So you are putting in a new bath room and it requires moving the commode to set tile . You mean to tell me you dont move that commode? If the switch on the wall goes out you dont change it ? If the customer wants a new light fixture in the new bath room you call an electrician ? Remodelers carry quite a bit of weight in this department. Some body mentioned how much knowledge you could get from a hadiman . I dont know . I do know remodelers carry a bunch of knowledge in different areas.
Tim Mooney
everything you mentioned requires a permit filed around here.
Granted ... they aren't gonna send the inspector for a faucet swap ... but that permit should be on file and paid for.
Subbed one job .. the HO decided she wanted to have the basement bath reglazed halfway thru our job ... that company sent their srpay guy and a plumber ... that plumber was unlucky enough to be there resetting the old toilet when our inspector decided to show up.
Of course .... it was just basic stuff .. so the company he was subbing for never pulled a permit ....
Told the lady our permir would cover everything?
He got off lucky ... the inspector is good buddies with my plumber ...
He gave the guy a warning ... made him stop in the middle of tightening a bolt and told him he had more than enough time to make it down town to file for and pay for the required permit ....
Then .. reminded him he'd seen his van ... and would remember it.
an inspector coulda fined him on the spot.
Not worth the risk in someone else's house.
One big reason I got out of the "handyman" type work.
People looking for a handyman are looking to get off cheap. Following the rules cost money ... I'm not gonna take on more headaches so someone else can save a buck.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
I am sure glad I do not live anywhere that would require a permit to R&I a toilet or faucet!
I understand now . The different area thingy again . Under electrical nothing but a new or a meter reset requires an inspection. Under plumbing nothing but new residence inspections are even done. Building inspection with a change in the roof line or a new house . We have started drive way inspections and storage buildings which have affixed foundations.
Wide open for a handiman or remodeler.
Oh by the way , the Mayor asked me to be the new city inspector . hahaha. Even a councilman came by to talk to me about it . Aint that a hoot ? Im considering it too! Roar!
Tim Mooney
I'd jump at if if the time and money are right ...
Never hurts to be the new big shot in town ...
plus ... your town would have a shot at having a kinda/sorta decent inspector!
oh yeah ... all the kickbacks too ....
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
I live in NC, and for the Residential GC test, one of the things I had to know was that it is STATE LAW that one must hold a state issued specific license to perform Electrical, Plumbing or HVAC work on someone else's home for money. (or you must be working under someone else's license - presumably employed by the licensed individual) The GC board sends out a semi-annual news letter that among other things lists people being prosecuted for licensing violations. This GC newsletter does not cover Elect, Plum. & HVAC but does have a section entitled "Unlicensed Contractor Cases - Injunctions". Weather local officials want to fully enforce these laws is another thing, as well as to what extent, I mean do you need to be a licensed plumber to change a faucet washer? On the other hand, when a complaint is filed with a state licensing board, at that point, it doesn't matter what local code enforcement officials think...
What I really want to know though is what kind of skill level does someone think they are going to get for $15 an hour for a self employed person? I mean give me a break! You get what you pay for - that's life 101! And, I'd be real surprised if the guy does have insurance, or if he pays taxes...
We are a GC building custom homes, also have a remodel division and a handyman division. Our leads working handyman often do the minor stuff, generaly we will replace existing items but not add new. We have an excellent plumber and electrician we sub to on all bigger work, and they are very helpful and understanding about the small jobs, willing to offer advice and tips when we need help. They don't want to send a journeyman out to do a minor , 15-minute job, and know they will get all the good stuff from us, so we seem to have a good balance.
I, too, would be very concerned about a $15-an-hour handyman (he must know what his work is worth!). We charge as much as a plumber or electrician in our area, it just makes it easier for the customer to have one person come in and do several small things instead of scheduling several separate trades and paying the minimum charges for all of them. The customer gets the work done for less, and everyone seems to be happy with this arrangement. Perhaps its because everyone around here is busy...things might change if the work dries up.
I'm in Marion, Indiana.
Anyone doing any work in the city of Marion has to be registered with the city. This means that you pay a fee and supply proof of insurance. The city keeps a file of the complaints they have received on each contractor.
Indiana does not have a license requirement for electricians.
In theory, I can do any electrical work. I need a permit if the job exceeds $1,500 or if the job includes work on the Electrical Service Panel.
Plumbers/HVAC are licensed by the state. I've done a lot of plumbing but I'm beginning to see the wisdom of not doing any that might be considered "new work". I'm not really sure what, if any, plumbing a non-licensed person can do, but I can't imagine the leaking faucet/clogged or running toilet jobs being a problem.
A permit is required it the job "includes work on Heating & Cooling, or Ventilating Equipment" (and, of course, if the job is over $1,500)
I can do anything else, but I need a permit if the job exceeds $1,500 or involves work on any load bearing wall, if the job is an addition or if it is a new structure.
There are many localities in Indiana that have stricter requirements than the state. Allen County (Fort Wayne) is particularly strict.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Just shows how different it is across the country . Different people think up different rules . What is most amazing to me is the 1500 dollar deal. We have a 20,000 dollar figure .
Tim Mooney
The money is not right . It would be like semi retirement for me though. Office and a truck to spend time in . Very little on the job work on job sites . The biggest thing is contractors dont usually like inspectors. Definately not a popularity thing . That bothers me about the job but would not influence me . Toss ups .
Tim Mooney
Who cares what contractors like and don't like ....
This might be your chance to change some minds ...
though lots will still be welded shut.
Most guys that complain about inspectors are the guys we don't want working around us anyways ...
There are "bad inspectors" ... but I've seen way more bad carpenters!
I'd love the power to go around shutting down hacks!
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Interesting how things change around here.
I remember posting a thread about unlicensed contractors and almost had my head torn off. Now everyone's talking about being legal. Hmmmmmm.
As I said a few years ago here it "does" bother me that unlicensed people take money from the legal guys by under bidding them by more than half.
Most illegals will vanish into the furthest reaches of the planet when something goes hay wire.
Hearing about the bad reputations contractors get really irks me to the limit.
We(contractors) never learned a thing in school to do what we do other than read and math.....and even that ?????.....lol. We learned from blood sweat and tears.
We have spent countless hours worrying abut the next step after sleepless nights and tons of research..at least I used to.
Trying to go by the book as silly as it seems....we do, do that though. Least I do.
Caring about the job includes going by the book like it or not.
License and insurance for starters.
The effort in the whole process is what its all about. I think its called caring.
Handymen are fine as long as they deal with the process......theres more reasons to that than just money to the town hall.
I do most of my own plumbing on my own houses unless its a big job.
On other peoples houses I only do minor stuff like replacing a toilet or sink during a reno but as for the larger work....I give it to the pro's (in spite of the huge cost).
BE well
andy
My life is my practice!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
My city wants a 80 dollar permit to R&R a water heater.....yea their gonna get it from me...
Darkworksite4:
Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN
$80!!! Wow that's insane. Why on earth would they make you get a permit to replace a water heater and how can they justify charging $80?
Sounds to me like downloading to me. Tax payers vote in a tax cutting politician who cuts taxes below levels that will support essential services so the individual departments have to find alternative means of funding.
I have never heard of instances where permits are needed to replace exhisting components of a system. Before long you will have to have permits just to keep what you already have had installed.
Edited 2/13/2004 11:03:31 AM ET by ASENNAD
Cities charge inspection fees to support an office and an inspector. There are vehicle costs The city also needs to pay engineer fees whether they retain one or not. Quite a bit of over head not covered by fees normally.
Tim Mooney
I know contractors are just trying to protect the industry, but how many of you replace your own brakes, or exhaust systems ect. on your own vehicles? Or how many have a "friend who used to be a mechanic" that you pay way less to do this work for you. call a dog a dog and admit that most here feel that most home repair/improvement tasks should be done by a professional. Not trying to dig hear but isnt that a little hippocritical? In my area getting a plumber out to do something like change a faucet could take weeks, most are out doing much larger jobs and dont want to be bothered with something this small.
aj,
They want to be bothered in leiu of money. I definately see their point too. Every body has a point on a different angle of the solution or problem , depending on what position they hold . The homeowner has the veto in most cases however.
Tim Mooney
first off I said in my post that I do my own small plumbing jobs like removing and reinstalling toilets and sinks etc....and no I don't do my own brakes even though I went to a trade school when I was 19 to learn how to....I make enough money being a builder that I can pay a pro to do that as well as paying a plumber to plumb.
I just don't appreciate being underbid by half by an unlicensed and uninsured mulaka.
BE well
andyMy life is my practice!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I can appreciate that. I just wanted to point out though that this same situation exists in many different fields and some never notice the correlation.
less people die in car fires than house fires ...
have fun with the illegal uninsured wiring.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
you as the home owner can do most anything to your house but changes when you rent a room or the back apt. A handyman can paint fix or replace a door or window build a deck , even tie a rag around that leakey drain but he cant fix it. he can even change a lightbulb but not the fixture.
He can replace your old garage door opener with a new one as long as the power is there and the opener has a plug on the end of the wire.
Now if your talkin about what a handy man does ......everything.
When we do a bathroom remodel now we have a master plumber and electrican do there own work its so much better and safer.
And less to worry about. It ends up costing the customers, more but thats not really a bad thing .
dogboy
charging by the hour vs the job
Don't know if I am too late on this thread but wondering if charging by the hour instead of by the job would make a difference? If a carpenter handyman doesn''t enter into a written contract with the homeowner and charges by the hour for the work (e.g. building kitchen cabinets, installing new flooring, dry wall work and painting), could he feasibly work without a license even if he is paid much more than $500 over a period of time? I am in California. thanks.
Only if you get caught and deported.
If you only due work in the 'hood you likely will be OK.
BTW, only 13 years too late....
I'm not in CA but would bet the farm that if you are receiving compensation you need a license. There is no wiggle room at all.
Been there
Interesting thread. I ran a handyman business for 20 years while working full time in corporate IT for a Fortune 500 company. Living in a condo many folks did not have the experience to do the simple tasks it takes to keep up a living space.
At some point it was all legal, meaning licensed, paying taxes, insurance and charging a small amount compared to professionals. I still have a few customers I take care of but that is less than 10 and no one new taken on.
Most recently one of my old customers had a dripping bath tub spigot. She called the local plumber. It cost her $150 and nothing was done except to recommend a totally new install saying parts were no longer available. This would have destroyed the tile and adjacent wall.
She then paid a friend $100 to fix the same thing. All he did was add Telfon tape everywhere it was not actually needed.
Then, when I was visiting on another matter she asked my opinion about the drip. I told her we would schedule another trip and I did follow up.
What was needed was the replacement of faucet washers, something prior people did not even attempt. It cost her $30 for less than and hours work.
And here is the kicker, the first professional lost her check and the company wanted a stop payment and a new check. The idiot finally found the check. This is a well known company in the same village for 75 years.
For my experience, and this is one of many, price charged and knowledge have little connection to reality.
Now days I am retired and refer heavy lifting to vetted professionals and give advice where needed. I am well versed in residential plumbing, electrical, home networking and Microsoft Windows based systems.
My $.02 worth
But I gather you don't have insurance now. What would happen if you work flooded her house or someone got hurt? You'd sue her or she would sue you. Pros have to pay for trucks, office overhead, driving time, workers comp, liability and even medical insurance. $150.00 for a service call is about right but I'll admit I've never heard of a service person charging if they couldn't make the repair. She shouldn't have paid them at all.