Common Elements of Cancellation Policies for Plumber Services RO and in Other services:

Notice Period for Free Cancellation:

Typical: We allow free cancellation if you notify them a certain number of hours before the scheduled service time (e.g., 2 hours, 4 hours, or even 24 hours). This allows them to reallocate their technicians.
Example: "No Charges will be levied if order cancellation requested 2 hours before the starting of the services." (Service Bell India)

Cancellation Fees for Late Cancellation:

Common Practice: If you cancel within a short window before the service (e.g., less than 2 hours) or if the plumber and Technician is already en route or has arrived at your location, a cancellation fee might be charged. This compensates the plumber and Technician for their time, travel, and lost opportunity.
Percentage of Booking Amount: Some platforms might charge a percentage of the booking amount (e.g., "25% of the Booking Amount will be levied if order cancellation requested < 2 hours of the service time.").
Fixed Inconvenience Fee: Others might have a fixed "inconvenience fee" if the service provider arrives and the customer cancels or reschedules.

No Cancellation Fee if Service Provider is Late or Unable to Perform:

Customer Protection: Reputable services often state that if the plumber and Technician is significantly late (e.g., more than 30 minutes past the scheduled time) or unable to perform the service for reasons on their end, you won't be charged for cancellation.
Full Refund: If the professional could not reach you to render services, a full refund is typically provided.

Advance Payments/Deposits:

Partial Refund of Advance: If an advance payment or deposit was made, a partial refund might be issued depending on the cancellation timing. For example, some may refund 15% of the advance if the client is no longer interested after an estimation.
Deduction for Work Done: If work has already commenced (e.g., materials purchased or initial diagnosis done), charges for the work provided up to that point will likely be deducted.

Rescheduling vs. Cancellation:

We prefer rescheduling over outright cancellation, and some might offer more flexibility for rescheduling without a fee, especially if done with sufficient notice.
Continuous cancellations/reschedules might lead to suspension of service by Us.

"Cooling-Off" Period (for online/distance bookings):

In some regions, consumer protection laws might grant a "cooling-off" period (e.g., 14 days) for services booked online, over the phone, or via mail-order, during which you can cancel without penalty. However, this right may change if you explicitly ask for the service to start during this period, and you'd then be charged for work already done. This applies more broadly to service contracts rather than immediate emergency plumbing and Technician calls.

Procedure for Cancellation:

Written Communication: Most policies require cancellation requests to be made in writing (email) or through Our official app/website.
Confirmation: It's always good practice to get a confirmation of your cancellation.

Refund Processing:

Timeline: Refunds, if applicable, are usually processed within a specific number of working days (e.g., 5-7 working days, 15 days).
Mode of Refund: Refunds are typically credited back to the original mode of payment.

Key Considerations for Customers in India:

Read the Specific Policy: Always, always check the cancellation policy of the specific plumber or home service On Pratham Services platform you are booking through. It should be available on Our website, app, or provided at the time of booking.
Emergency vs. Scheduled Service: Policies might be stricter for emergency call-outs due to the immediate resource allocation required.
Negotiation: If you feel a cancellation charge is unfair, try to negotiate with the service provider, especially if you have a valid reason for cancellation (e.g., genuine emergency).

In summary, for plumber services, cancellation policies generally aim to balance customer flexibility with compensating the service provider for their time and resources if a cancellation occurs without adequate notice.