Plumbers must be millionaires...

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by Fastrudy

In defense of plumbers:
1) It is a hard job;
2) It requires a licensing procedure;
3) It requires close tolerances;
4) Plumbers are bombarded by heavy metal ions, poisonous flux from soldering and dangerous acids and other chemicals. The intake of heavy metal ions causes depression and it manifests itself by the increased incidence of alcoholism and drug addiction. Any vocation that deals with metals and soldering has the same dangers.

Okay, flame away.

That's how I'd approach this question.

Estimate time must be included too if that happened. It's company time. Some folks don't realize that estimates are only free until everyone has work done, then that time cost is added. One reason why smaller projects are slightly higher cost for their size.

Plus half a dozen things on top of what you listed. That's why I do many of my own small plumbing things.

[sailordave]

Always get estimates, are they licensed and insured, how long is the work guarenteed? Perhaps metro code is involved in the high price? Some cities have extremely strict metro codes that local contractors must follow word for word and in many cases, they add to the overall cost of the job.

[1Plumber]

I dont know where they run water in black pipe. Its pretty easy to copy something already in place but a real plumber (Not an installer) would try to improve the system, like insulating hot lines or even cold lines in places to prevent freezing, maybe install a softner loop for upgrades, get the point? Does your ice-maker have a filter? Does it need a drain? Most piping in Vegas is underslab or even under the house, thats alot of work. I agree with you I would definetly call an electrician, but in electrical work you know you messed up real quick in plumbing you dont figure it out till you get sick or die (look at the history of Rome). Theres alot of health codes and general codes to protect us and a licensed plumber knows them. I believe in DIY but in certain areas, I mean if i broke my arm I would go to the doctors, thats not rocket science either. Another thing you can run water in plastic pipe but you should transition to copper at the stub-outs, copper kills bacteria. So please believe theres a difference between a Lowes plumber and a licensed plumber.

[nhmaster]

My company is a flat rate company but the labor figures to about 138 bucks an hour. Of that 138 only 8% is profit. The rest is TAXES and overhead. Next time you thing a plumber is ripping you off, take a look at just how much the Government is ripping you off because we just pass the misery along.