cheers for the advice but i put the tools down for good in september to go to uni full-time. i don't want to burn myself for a living anymore...
also with those water heaters (and i hate doing them for the following) the rules are forever changing on their installation
gas codes need to be adhered to and if the water heater isnt true to code its $$$
tempering valves need to be installed these days min $120 right there
no longer can plumbers do the wiring - another $90 min.
certificates are $20 which go to the useless jokes called Plumbers licensing Board here in WA.
cold water expansion valve must be replaed every time a heater is replaced - $70 or so.
so theres 300 bucks right there. blame the beaurocrats mate. plumbing is the most over regulated trade in australia. dont blame the plumber.
Cheers for the help salty
One day I will try and sort it, but its gone in the too hard basket for now
Select to expand quotecisco said
All this ag601, as3500, and the local bylaws is the type of thing any tradesman needs to know. [b]Ie relevant to their particular trade
saltiest 1 said
definately not something all tradies should know. might want to do your homework prior to a flippant comment like that.
I don't see what is flippant about that if you read and understand what is said.
Select to expand quotecisco said...cisco said
All this ag601, as3500, and the local bylaws is the type of thing any tradesman needs to know. [b]Ie relevant to their particular trade
saltiest 1 said
definately not something all tradies should know. might want to do your homework prior to a flippant comment like that.
I don't see what is flippant about that if you read and understand what is said.
tilers do
carpenters do
builders do
sparkies do
mechanics do
the books are actually law believe it or not.
the standards are passed through federal parliament, and local government.
they are designed to prevent disease and contamination of the water supply.
have a flick through them and you will see how different they are from all the other "good books" for other trades 
plumbers are lumped with the mother of all codes and standards.
. 2 hours later.... theres your 300 bigguns.
Select to expand quotesaltiest1 said...cisco said...cisco said
All this ag601, as3500, and the local bylaws is the type of thing any tradesman needs to know. [b]Ie relevant to their particular trade
saltiest 1 said
definately not something all tradies should know. might want to do your homework prior to a flippant comment like that.
I don't see what is flippant about that if you read and understand what is said.
tilers do
carpenters do
builders do
sparkies do
mechanics do
the books are actually law believe it or not.
the standards are passed through federal parliament, and local government.
they are designed to prevent disease and contamination of the water supply.
have a flick through them and you will see how different they are from all the other "good books" for other trades
plumbers are lumped with the mother of all codes and standards.
I understand what you are saying but I am just not getting anywhere here am I??
I don't do "fixed fee" jobs and have not heard of them being done in my area.
Either quote on a job or "do and charge".
I don't have any complaints.
If somebody is offering a fixed fee job maybe you should shop around.
I am in a small town and word of mouth travels fast.
No point trying to make a fast buck at the expense of a unknowing customer.
Rogue plumbers are no different than any other field or trade, they will always be there, whatever occupation.
What really gets my goat up is the handyman with no plumbing lisence doing renovations and plumbing work totally unregulated.
The plumbing council can not fine them as they are not plumbers.
However if a plumber is non conformant they get there arse fined off.
The BSA do very little to protect the plumber. But are very happy to take our lisence fee,
BTW in QLD plumbers have to be lisenced by the BSA and the plumbing industry council to operate a business.
So we pay twice the fees for little protection of our industry.
It just means we as lisenced plumbers have to do the right thing .
AND THIS COSTS US LOTS OF DOLLARS.
Can I just say something?
I reckon all you non tradies out there who complain about how much it costs to get a job done that you couldn't do or couldn't be stuffed to do are a bunch of bloody tight arses!
Are you people for real?
Complaining about qualified people who took the time to do apprenticeships and who offer a good quality service.
I had a mechanic do a major service on my car the other day. I take pride and look after it. He had the car all day and did an amazing job to the point where he itemized all parts and labor. When I picked up my car he went over the invoice with me which came to a total of $950. It was worth every cent!
Now if your not a mechanic and think you could spend all day on my car and do what he did for less than $950 then I wanna bring my car to you.
If you think you can do it then I reckon you are fkn full of sh1t[}:)]
Hey calling all plumbers , I need an emergency callout to fix a broken water pipe into my property .
Can you come tomorrow ? And if so how much per hour to fix it ? 
Merry Xmas , shout your selves a new PVC pipe cutter and a new pair of tin snips for Xmas you blokes . You know you can aford to.
When the wheel stops next year let me know when you have dropped your rates to a more realistic level
You can all stop trying to justify your charge out rates now and have a Holliday !!
oh i try to be a customer as little as possible , but your right i am a crap customer!!!
and im sorry if opened an old wound for anyone. sometimes the truth does hurt.
anyway i,ll say no more on this subject .......except for this Xmas greeting and best wishes to all , including all you plumbers!
I would kill to be a tradie now, you tradies should imagine having to work 8 to 5 in an office and having to plead to your boss if you can leave 5min early while your lame co-workers give you the death stare. It's degrading. Then drive through peak hour.
At least if your a self employed tradie you have some control over you life. Work hard get paid well. You can choose life bit more.
can I start a thread ' Oh for ****s sake how much does a Solicitor make" well being a builder I will tell you I don't make enough to put up with the ****'yn clients I have to put up with but the irony is I can makesome art work that takes a lot less time but because its art I have to put up with less **** because if they dont pay for it they dont take it, haha take that you effyn mongrels
Can't wait till new year,
My Hourly rate goes up another $5 per hour and my arshole rate (for people like sands) goes up $40 per hour.
