Hi robbo,
Thanks for the lowdown on competitive pricing a la Bunnings etc.
However, I think you kind of missed my point. Here on this forum, plumbers jump all over people who admit to doing "illegal" plumbing, as demonstrated in this thread. And yet, Mitre 10, Bunnings and all the rest are legally permitted to sell all the plumbing stuff imaginable, to all and sundry, no questions asked, no warnings given. How many of those people get plumbers to install the stuff they buy? Not too many, I would bet. How many plumbers appreciate being given labour only jobs, because the customer has gone out and bought the materials themselves? Chances are, it's not even the correct or optimal choice of materials.
So what I'm saying is that the law is really a complete ass, because on the one hand it (apparently) says even fitting a toilet seat without being an authorised plumber is illegal (how ridiculous is that?), but on the other hand, it says to the general public, "You are welcome to go out and buy
WHATEVER plumbing materials you want." Where does it say in the plumbing aisles at Bunnings etc that it is Trade-only, and unlawful to install any of these materials unless you are a plumber? Where does it warn people that their insurance will quite possibly be invalid in installed by a layperson? It doesn't. But of course, every member of the public buying plumbing materials is only buying them as ornaments and conversation pieces, right!?
There would likely be a legal argument in favour of customary practice, which says that if the public can go and buy whatever plumbing stuff they want without question, then it could be assumed that they are permitted to install it.
For example, just try going down to any chemist shop and asking for some bulk pseudo-ephedrine, some arsenic or sulphuric acid and see how you get on. Or go to a Dental Supply company and try buying a dental tool. Hell, in this country, we can't even buy Lugol's solution any more.
In my assessment, the Plumbing-related laws, rules and regulations are a complete shambles in this country. There are huge gaps on one side, and over-regulation on the other. There needs to be more of a balance, and more consistency, wouldn't you agree?