New Drain Pricing?

MAXL102

Lady wants to fix a leaking main drain. The leak cannot be seen but someone said its leaking. Im not sure who. She wants to either replace it or repaire it If the Drain is under her driveway, and is only a break, I would assume just repairing that spot. But is there any way to find out where exactly the leak is. How much would I charge for that. How much to replace the whole thing? And by trhe way her house is on a slab.

dougchips

I would charge around $18.50- $19.00 per hour if during regular business hours. The whole thing should take about a 35-36hours, they sell some really handy books at the home depot.

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

dougchips

Actually, you might want to consult Bob Kovacs on this, he is a member here.

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

Bob Kovacs

Sure, Doug- go ahead and send this clown my way. I'll remember that......lol.

Bob

smellslike$tome

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXL102 Lady wants to fix a leaking main drain. The leak cannot be seen but someone said its leaking. Im not sure who. She wants to either replace it or repaire it If the Drain is under her driveway, and is only a break, I would assume just repairing that spot. But is there any way to find out where exactly the leak is. How much would I charge for that. How much to replace the whole thing? And by trhe way her house is on a slab.

Ok, here's what you do:

1. Dig up the pipe just beyond the cleanout.

2. Cut the pipe.

3. Pull the section of pipe between the cut and the street out of the ground. This can be difficult sometimes so if you have trouble just wrap a chain around the end of the pipe, tie the other end off to your truck and pull it out that way.

4. Once the old pipe is out, take the new pipe and your sledge hammer and drive the new pipe into the hole but be sure to put a cap on the end of the pipe you are striking so that you do not damage the pipe.

5. Reconnect the new pipe to the old pipe where it was cut with a coupling (any old kind will do).

6. If any inspector should happen by and ask to see your permit, just tell him to mind his own business because you are a bona fide "handyman" and don't need no stinkin' permit.

7. Present your bill for $200.00 (should'nt be anymore than that) to the homeowner.


Ok, so please forgive the sharp sarcasm but you are a HANDYMAN and not a plumber. You get 5 points for being smart enough to ask someone about something you know nothing about but if you go anywhere near that job you are begging for a huge fine (and in some states possibly free room and board at the pokey for a while) as well as a lawsuit from the clueless homeowner after you totally screw it up and don't know how to fix it.

Please tell me this is some kind of joke and that you are not actually considering attempting this.

dougchips

I began reading this post and thought someone was actually giving advice until the part about hooking the pipe up to your truck.

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

dougchips

Nice piece in PDB (March 2007).

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

JPF

Leaking Main Drain??!! What are you working on, her POOL!!...Bro, do yourself a favor, and stay away from things you know nothing about until you've either worked in the trade doing it for many years, or you hire a REAL plumber to do the work!! I've seen a couple of your post's here in the forums, and you really seem like your trying to use the forum as your own personal "How-to" class. Please stop!! Us EXPERIENCED Handymen are already having a hard enough time trying to convince these tradesmen that we're not all HACKS!!! Your really making us look exactly like they think we are....please STOP!! and go to the DIY forum!!!

Bob Kovacs

Thanks. It was supposed to run in the April issue, so I didn't realize it had been published yet. Might be nice if the editors sent me a copy....lol.

Bob

Double-A

Bob was Ms. March?

Why does my copy always arrive late?

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006