Do I pay the plumber?

Don't rock the boat Hexx, just trying to have a bit of fun.

We are going to have to ask the council to shut the water to the entire block of flats now in order to repair the broken valve in mine. Nightmare

mic wrote:DON’T PAY - if you haven’t paid already and they haven’t done any work then you don’t owe them anything!

To be fair checking the tap and visiting site is services rendered but if he wasn't told about the charge (although honestly I would expect one) then it is unfair to charge it.

No.1FFF issue a chargeback on your credit card and then get a new card, ignore all future invoices from them if they genuinely didn't inform you about the charge and you were additionally assured they would source and fit a new tap if necessary. The advisor on the phone / the plumbing firm aren't joining up their communications with the contractor and that is their problem. The should still get paid and the appointing firm swallows it. In the future always ask what it is going to cost to do xyz discussed at the end of the conversation before making an appointment.