Is This Estimate Way Off?

72chevy4x4

I'm looking at a home remodel with baths and kitchen. The supply pipe is all galvanized and leaking. Total run of pipe about 90' (each-hot and cold) located in a crawlspace. The estimate received was $1303 to rip the old stuff out, replace w/ PVC leaving ends capped awaiting bath install. Price includes materials.

Is this right? I was expecting a higher number.

tzzzz216

Is this just a stright run and are they hanging the pipe or straping it to the floor joist, how many men ? I always charge extra for working in a crawl space .

72chevy4x4

one straight run and a 'T' after 15' into the crawl space with another straight run. It would require hanging to code (what is that?). I'm not sure how many men they would use or the amount of time.

JamesNLA

that is about right. 3/4 day worth of work, with a plumber and a helper.
But, why the hell are you gonna put PVC in? I'd rather taste rust

national

I dont think there is a buisness out there that makes as much money as a plumber..WOW.. Im ready to become one..I run a used car lot & everyone thinks we make the money??? Yeah right..

cmvsap

you dont have to have 3 years of school and 3 years working under a master plumber to sell used cars. you just need the skill level of a convict.

smellslike$tome

When you say "baths" I can only assume that you mean 2 baths.

Whole house, with 2 bath, water distribution re-pipe using pex tubing
$3205.00 (if crawlspace is especially bad or requires any type of excavation additional access charges will apply)
Copper will add $1000.00 to $1500.00.

Does not include removal of ANY old piping located in crawlspace. (Why would you bother? Just leave it there.)

Does include removal of galv. nipples stubbing out of walls.

New stubs will rise through floor.

Includes new 1/4 turn iso. stops and new chrome/copper supplies to fixtures.

Anyone who quotes you pvc water distribution at any price is most certainly a hack. There may be some obscure code somewhere that allows pvc water distribution after 5' inside a house but I doubt it. As for $1303, I'd say he's working for beer/meth money, just make sure he does'nt burn down you're house while he's laid up hitting his pipe in your crawlspace.

dayexco

why would you price a job for someone? as a businessperson, they need to learn their costs, and bid/charge accordingly? their local market may really skew any numbers you provide him, to his benefit....or that would really hurt him

__________________
someday, i'll be as patient as Nick.

smellslike$tome

You know what? You are absolutely right! I rarely share any pricing but when I read that ridiculous $1303.00 I could'nt help myself. You might say I felt compelled to warn 72chevy that that price only spells trouble for him. And the quote for pvc spells even more trouble for him.

Chevy ask to see his certification card. That will probably take care of it right there.

72chevy4x4

oops, I meant to type CPVC-an extra 'C' means a lot.

not sure if your comment about those using PVC applies to CPVC, but in middle Delaware it has been a common building product on lower end houses and remodels as PEX is catching on, but not the norm.

I'm curous about 'cert cards'-are licensed plumbers supposed to carry their card about? How about license numbers-do some states mandate placing the license number on the side of the truck?

smellslike$tome

Yes, the C makes a huge difference with respect to code compliance but makes no difference with respect to the quality of the installation. I am in an area of the country that does not receive very much below freezing weather but when we do have it for more than 2 or 3 days in a row, any cpvc located in any exterior wall is at a huge risk to split and flood when the pipe thaws out. It is used here as well but I do not use it at all (I have in the past while working for other plumbing companies. We used it in an entire new subdivision once because the local code official would not approve pex. Idiot!) Pex is so far superior to cpvc it's not even funny. It's faster to install and will not burst or split from freezing. Cpvc will become brittle with both age and exposure to uv radiation (pex has uv issues as well).

As for the certification, in my state, everyone in the plumbing trade is required to have in his possession his certification card. This means his master, journeyman, or apprentice card whichever the case may be. This really depends on the inspector as to whether they enforce it or not but it does happen. I have a friend who had an inspector roll up on a job site once for no other reason than to check cards. My friend had an apprentice on site without a card and was fined. Aside from that though, even if you're sub can produce a master card it still does'nt mean that he knows or cares about what he's doing (there are plenty of people with master cards who should'nt have them) but if a man represents himself as being skilled at his trade but never bothered for whatever reason to obtain his state certification then I have no indication at all whether he understands what he is doing or simply slings it in the way he "learned it" right or wrong. Also, you can't pull a plumbing permit here unless you are a state certified master plumber. You can send journeyman and apprentices to go do the work under you're "supervision" but only a master can pull the permit.

So the point is, if you have a guy that is ridiculously low on his price and can't produce anything that says that your state holds him to be competant and in good standing, then it's my opinion, for what it's worth, that you should have nothing to do with him.