This was labor only and does not include the price of the new faucet. I realize that this may be an easy job so I know that I could've done it myself. However, what's done is done. Thanks!
2007-06-13 06:18:14 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Yes, you got tagged on that one
2007-06-13 06:20:55 · answer #1 · answered by Experto Credo 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
A lot of answers on both sides of the coin here (no pun intended)
As a trades man I'm in business to do what others may not want to, or can't do.
By the way "EASY" is relative, but doing as a DIY isn't impossible. Without knowing a value you might put on the time to go get a faucet and appropriate tools for a DIY; or how you price out your own labor time, and determine "easy" in a skill level that might allow that a DIY to take less than 4 hours? It might be you got away with a fair price.
You don't state the length of time on the job, but most Plumbing or Electrical contractors, especially those NOT independant will charge a TRIP FEE. That can be as much as $60. Assume then that an hourly fee of $60 is usual. In your case I doubt the job took two hours, or more, but you don't say.
The general public considers that most tradesman are Pirates, and certainly there are valid reasons for that feeling through an individual case by case basis,,,BUT as I said we often encounter issues not so quick and easy. We often endure the customer being right, even when they aren't. We often get gnawed on as we work by the family dog or toddler. We can't claim to be DOCTORS per say, but certainly perform services that you wouldn't do in a self surgery method, and we too have lives, families, needs, desires, and do not strictly live up there on Money Berry Hill, waiting to swoop down on the DIY crowd.
You had the ability and right to ASK before the job began, even before you appointed that plumber to make the trip. You still have the right to question the details of WHY? AND most definitely you have the right to grumble here.
Steven Wolf
2007-06-13 17:05:56 · answer #2 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fairness of the price depends as much upon where you are located as anything. Some parts of the country I would say that is cheap, others you got reamed.
This is what gets me though . . . This should be a simple job. The plumber should be able to give you some idea what he would charge over the phone and a firm number once he sees the job but before he starts.
Did you ask? If you did and he charged more, then he is in the wrong.
If you had asked, he may have given you a lower price. Doesn't sound right, but if you aren't going to ask up front the ticket is open. If he gave you a price you felt was too high, perhaps you could have negotiated. Happens all the time.
Fairly obvious you didn't ask. Shame on you. If he charged $500, I would be the first to hand you a tissue. This time, mark it down as a lesson learned and get your own tissue.
2007-06-13 14:03:21 · answer #3 · answered by be_a_lert 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well,
I charge $55/hr.
I can usually do a kitchen faucet change out, with new supplys in an hour including travel time.
Sometimes it'll run 1 1/2 hours with one that is tough to get at or get off.
Sometimes the angle stops also has to be replaced along with the supplys.
Could run into a 2 hr job with problems and/or extras but rarely.
But with some plumbers now charge $75/hr for one man, I still don't see it being $189 unless he had a hell of a time with the job.
I'm sure he would have told you too, if he did.
I would call the shop. They may not give you credit, but at least they might let you know why in the blazes it's so high.
2007-06-13 14:11:09 · answer #4 · answered by rangedog 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually, price is rather subjective on this. To me it seems high for a 30 minute job that requires a basin wrench (about $10 or so) and possibly some plumbers putty and teflon tape ($4). Certainly doable by a DIYer, but for many, a challenging mystery. But as another pointed out, probably a minimum service call plus an hourly rate. Personally, I'd be bitter, but then I always do this kind of work for myself. It gives me an excuse to buy tools. Frankly, if I can break even on a job and end up owning the tool to do the job, I'm pretty happy. If I save $$, then I've really tickled. I usually try to invest the labor savings into better materials to end up with a better job than I might otherwise have afforded. Good Luck.
2007-06-13 13:30:46 · answer #5 · answered by Jim N 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well...
I usually give a bid first, although sometimes I only give an estimate of hours needed and a price per hour. Did you get any estimates? You should get at least two, three is better.
As far as prices...when my customers ask, I explain that I have to buy tools, gas, insurance, maintenance on my truck, my own health insurance, retirement, etc. Not to mention that I have the experience and the knowledge to do the job right. That said, I would have charged at least fifty dollars less, and I live in Southern Ca where rates are high.
2007-06-15 17:56:56 · answer #6 · answered by Martin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No! A plumber gets paid by the amount of time he spends on your project, there is also a minimum charge, and in some cases it can be $80.00 an hour plus travel time and any parts or misc. material he may use. Did u supply the faucets if not, you got off cheap!
2007-06-13 13:40:19 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My wife charges $1300 for a colonoscopy, and it only takes her twenty minutes or so. And I guarantee you that replacing a kitchen faucet is more comfortable than a colonoscopy.
Seriously, that's about the going rate. You will certainly be charged a labor fee per hour, plus a service trip to get there.
2007-06-13 13:25:11 · answer #8 · answered by acermill 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
where did you find him? was he the plumber with the biggest ad in the yellow pages? the biggest company in your area with 20 or 30 trucks on the road? the best advice is to get recommendations from friends, family, and co workers. i find that smaller is often better when it comes to tradesmen, less overhead, more responsive to the customer, and cheaper pricing. for comparison, my plumber moved the outside faucet to a different location, changed my laundry shutoffs to a single lever shutoff valve, and replaced a leaky fitting in a pipe for $200.00, and he had a helper! my biggest problem is that he is so popular now, it is sometimes hard to get him for myself! i have got to stop handing out his business cards and telling people about him!!! the biggest negative in dealing with the smaller company's is some can't afford to offer financing like the larger ones can.
2007-06-13 13:47:36 · answer #9 · answered by car dude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That does seem rather stiff to me but it's probably the going rate, where labor is concerned. Did you get more than one estimate before the job was done? If not, call around before you need a plumber again. :)
2007-06-13 13:24:15 · answer #10 · answered by Shortstuff13 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the price you paid was reasonable,and of course its usually guarenteed if any thing doesn,t work. I just replaced a kitchen faucet recently too, and my price was close to the same as what you paid.
2007-06-16 13:11:22 · answer #11 · answered by jmada05 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋