Plumber rates - I think I got ripped, did I?

Question

Should it really cost $350 in labor to replace part of a "Y" pipe (kitchen drain) about a foot long??

Answer 1

Its always interesting to hear lots of people answer for pricing for something they never have done professionally.
I have worked in the plumbing service industry for 9 years in the Seattle-Tacoma marketplace.
Pricing in THIS area can range from $65.00 / hour point to point plus materials marked up 2-8x
UP TO $350/hour plus trip charge plus materials plus tax.

Just about every plumber/ company has to set a minimum charge to send out a service repair person. Two I have worked for in the last 5years have set the actual company cost per service call at $157.00 to $175.00
That means for them to pay for advertising, insurance, vehicle, uniforms, dispatchers, office staff, fuel, stock on the van, wages, etc....
on average, IT costs the company that much every time they send someone out to someone's house, like yours.
IF that was the case, and he charged $350, they made a profit, right?
The actual materials costs may have only come to about $25, but it is also a consideration that the guys who are competent have spent 3,4,5 years in training, just like a college.... Sometimes, it just takes 15minutes for me to fix something a homeowner has spent days working on, the difference is in the knowledge gained over the years. We charge for that knowledge - but it isn't looked at the same as most professionals, is it?

I'm happy to pay my Attorney $150 per hour, because I have found that I'm always getting my money's worth. Even if we're just talking out what needs to be done before a court case, His knowledge of the system is what makes him valuable to me, in that I will not be able to do what I need without his advice. Smartly, coming to this site, you can sometimes get advice from everyday people, and professionals alike. The knowledge for FREE!!! might be worth just as much as we each pay for it. but to have someone come to the house and perform the work, you end up paying for the knowledge, the liability, and the work that has to be done.
Only our insurance company can tell our Doctor or dentist how much he gets to charge. but I digress....

The price you paid may have been extraordinarily high, and it may have been right in keeping with the costs for the same kind of work done in your area. I have replaced a wye under a sink for free when doing other work, and it took me 5minutes.... and I have had to cut into a wall, opened up cabinets, cutting off piping inside to replace a tee/ wye, and it cost very close to what you were charged.
There are many variables to what a charge is, many companies have come up with a "FLAT RATE" pricing, to answer the question of

how much do I charge to do this???

I'm regularly checking with guys I've worked with to keep my pricing fair, stable, but also keeping Fairly close to the market price for same work done. - I won't rip anyone off either.

Answer 2

If it was made from GOLD

actually more details would help. Under the sink, did the plumber have to dismantle anything to get to the pipes. Was it in the middle of the night? How long was the plumber there?

But from the info you gave 350 sounds a little high.

Answer 3

I am a electrician. When i go on a service call I have I minimum charge of 75$ then 120$ a hour after that and that's not including any material I used. Plumbers rates are very close to a electrician so i would say that your bill sounds right, however before you ever hire a contractor you should all ways shop around. Keep in mind cheap work is not good work

Answer 4

Have to ask how long it took to replace the pipe. Most work on an hourly rate. It should be listed on the bill along with any materials used. Most also charge a fee just to come to the home.

Answer 5

Not unless it took him most of the day to do it! But let's face it, plumbers and other skilled tradesmen cost a fortune anymore. Not knocking a college education, but if you want to make the big bucks, learn to be a plumber, electrician, etc.

Answer 6

Only if it was the main drain under the house. A "y" is not common under a sink. Was it plastic or iron? Lot of variables here.

Answer 7

528

Answer 8

yes you got taken to the cleaners it should cost about 60-100 dollars in labor and even then 60-100 dollars is a high price

Answer 9

NO !!! It should cost about $65 to $100

Answer 10

nope