I heard of a plumber who was very worried about his sick child, so called the doctor. The doctor said "It's 4.30 in the morning, do you really need to call me out?"
The plumber said that yes, the doctor must come - how would he feel if his plumbing emergency wasn't dealt with? With very ill-grace, the doctor made a brief visit.
Some months later, the doctor called the plumber because his toilet was blocked. In view of the previous occurrence, he was expecting good service. The plumber drove round in his old van, tramped upstairs to the offending loo, dropped two aspirins down it, pulled the flush and said "Call me if it's no better in 48 hours!" 
Very interesting Rose ....but what a revolting picture!
I'm trying to picture the circumstances under which it was shot.
"Excuse me sir, you look just like the kind of bloke I'm looking for"
Sets up parasols for professional shots...
"Yes, shirt off and turn sideways sir. No don't try to hold you belly in. Lovely, yes, just sag a bit more. No, don't worry about the smile. Wonderful!" 
We're on our FOURTH plumber. All we want is someone to do the necessary with regard to installing a new shower room.
No1 has done some work for us in the past so he was our first port of call. He promptly sent somebody else who put in a ridiculously high quote so we reckon No1 was hoping to get a cut.
No2 has a reputation for being unreliable so we were reluctant to even let him quote but he assured us that now he's over his nervous breakdown there wouldn't be a problem. We're still waiting for him to pick up the phone!
No3 is a friend of the man who is going to fit the floor. He was supposed to come and look at the job two weeks ago....We're still waiting.
No 4 arrived this morning (we've given up on No3) and after looking at the job has gone off to work out a quote. As he got into his van he told me he's very excited as his wife is due to give birth any time now
Something tells me we've seen the last of him!
It must be US 
I'd be more worried about the "English" mentions.
Pop round and see if he flies a Union Jack in his yard.
Very true about the calories being burnt to keep you warm.
Sudden thought......perhaps we shouldn't be blaming the obesity crisis on sugar, but on central heating
Ever felt short changed by a tradesman? Author Jane Turley has...
Have you ever experienced 'traditional English' plumbing rates?
Warning! Do not read this post if you're a plumber, married to a plumber, related to a plumber in any way or, possibly, if you once had an affair with a plumber. If, on the other hand, you have ever been overcharged by a plumber this article will probably appeal to you.
Yesterday, I was in a very cynical mood. I was stomping around my house having just returned from the school run (which is so unfair at my age) and in the midst of a hot flush when a business card fell through my letterbox. It read:
Traditional English Plumbing at Traditional English Prices
Immediately my hot flush took on rocket propulsion proportions. Steam burst forth from ears like an exploding piston as I recalled, in detail, the numerous times I'd been screwed (financially) by plumbers and tradesmen. You see, in my experience, 'Traditional English Plumbing Prices' are calculated in a somewhat dubious manner. Let's examine the components of a potential invoice in more detail:
The Call Out Fee: This is calculated on the cost of approximately two days' travel to and from the plumber's place of abode to your home - which he estimates as long distance even though you've told him seven times it's in the next street. The fee will include a full tank of petrol, one or two full English breakfasts, lunchtime sandwiches, six coffees and (just in case he doesn't make it home by 4.30pm) a Kentucky Fried Chicken with extra fries.
The Hourly Fee: This could be anything. Literally. Pull a figure out of the air, double it, quadruple it and add on Great Aunt Lil's age and you'll probably be close to the hourly fee.
Do not pass wind in the same air space as your plumber or you'll risk being charged danger money.
The Cost of Necessary Parts: Your plumber will charge you the cost of the parts as they are priced at your local high-end DIY store - despite the fact he will have paid a pittance at the local plumbers' merchant.
The Cost of Unnecessary Parts: The plumber will charge you the cost of the parts you need - and the parts you don't need. He'll also delight in telling you that your bathroom suite no longer meets current health and safety guidelines and you need a replacement. He won't actually know those guidelines but he'll be able to produce a glossy catalogue that you can look through while he phones the betting shop and travel agents.
The Cost of VAT: Your plumber will say he can do your job cheaper if you pay cash as he won't charge VAT. This is a lie. He is still going to charge you VAT because he's not going to risk being caught by the Inland Revenue. So he just raises the price by 20% so that he can knock it off and appear generous. It is a PR exercise - the reality is you're getting stitched up and if you decide to pay by cheque/card he will make an even bigger profit. Humph.
So, my advice is to always get a detailed written quotation before you agree to anything. To avoid incurring "unforeseen plumbing costs" follow my five point guide below:
1. Do not pass wind in the same air space as your plumber or you'll risk being charged danger money. This will be in the form of some jargon on the invoice like 'C/T19195W faucet joint' or '1.5 screw-top head runner for C/T191195W'.
2. Keep your animals at a distance otherwise your plumber will charge for extra time to visit the doctors for a prescription for his asthma.
3. Under no circumstances tell the plumber you're a pensioner or he'll be ringing his investment banker before you've made his first cup of tea. If necessary, tell him you are prematurely grey due to being hit by lightning whilst hiking through the Amazonian rainforest.
4. Hide all evidence of your creature comforts in case your plumber thinks you will "pay any price". Include all obvious signs: Earl Grey tea, oversized underwear, dog-walking shoes and copies of the Radio Times.
5. Make sure you leave visible reading material in your bathroom. Include books like Undiscovered Serial Killers, Murder by Gunshot, Plumbing for Beginners and Death of a Salesman.
Finally, to prove that underneath I really am quite charming (and I don't want to receive any hate mail). To all honest plumbers and tradesmen out there: You rock.
The Changing Room: A British Comedy of Love, Loss and Laughter by Jane Turley is published by Sweet & Salty Books and is available from Amazon.
By Jane Turley
Twitter: @turleytalks
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