My toilet assembly is old and the water fills the tank but overflows into the overflow valve. I called a "licensed" plumber and their initial estimate was $172.60 replacing the entire internals of the tank.
Back in my primary residence, I had a handyman repair the same thing and he charged $35 plus the cost of the parts which was around $18. As far as I can tell, the toilet works fine after the repair by the handyman.
So... why is it the licensed plumber charges $172.60 whereas the handyman can do the work for $53?
Do plumbers belong to an union or am I just being ripoff?
2007-08-03 13:31:07 · 17 answers · asked by MrSushiRoll 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
for 172 you can get a brand new one.
2007-08-03 13:33:32 · answer #1 · answered by bigandbadforever69 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
handyman labour is a lot cheaper than a plumber but a plumber would do a better job and use better materials. depending on what dollar you are talking about... in AUSTRALIA dollars a handymans labour might be $50 OR LESS and a plumber is between $70-80. Some charge 60 or 65 too. Materials arent that cheap. To service a toilet would cost about $120 australia dollars. To replace the cistern itself cost abuot $285. If its an old toilet its probably not economical to bother repairing it
2007-08-04 23:33:14 · answer #2 · answered by **Jemma** 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really can fix this yourself. Really really easy to do. Make sure you shut off the water on the bottom against the wall before you start and also call lowes or home depot (local hardware store) so that you can describe what you are looking at just to be certain that you get the right type. There are too many different ones. The newer kit you get, will look different from the old one. Dont be concerned with this. They will even give you a quick lesson if you ask and the cost should be more more than 15-20 bucks total. If you really dont want to figure it out, ask a kind neighbor and make them some baked goods afterwards. I am all for the buddy system in life. Blessings to you!
2007-08-03 20:41:45 · answer #3 · answered by Thomas T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You answered your own question. A licensed plumber went to school for his trade and had to pay to get a license. So he has to make up for those cost. And being licensed I guess make them feel they can charge more. A handyman as I am. I learned it from another handyman. So I don't have any of those past expenses a licensed plumber has. But I also wouldn't be able to do work that required a permit to do either.
2007-08-03 20:37:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many plumbers are union and that is why they charge more than your local handyman. Replacing the internal parts of the tank is not a difficult job. Why don't you try doing it yourself if you think you are getting cheated?
2007-08-03 20:36:02 · answer #5 · answered by Truth is elusive 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
plumbers belong to a union and get paid a certain amt an hour (in OR I know it's $35 an hour). You can do the work yourself...it's easy. I'm a 52 yr old woman and just replaced the works in one of our toilets. (It's not brain surgery and I'm not a plumber.) $20. for new works and 1,1/2 hrs for the job. (mostly trying to get things unscrewed...men put in the toilet and really torqued the screws in tight.)
2007-08-03 20:39:19 · answer #6 · answered by Chrys 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too can fix your toilet for $35, unless there are unforeseen problems. Most of the time, the repairs can be done in twenty minutes. Some of these licensed guys rip you off, and I see this one tried too.
Even putting in a new toilet, takes only twenty to 30 minutes. At $65 per hour, $35 is still reasonable.
2007-08-03 20:37:56 · answer #7 · answered by Nifty Bill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the toilet probably has a large ball on the end of a metal rod connect to the valve. make sure there isnt water in the ball, it unscrews from the rod then just bend the rod down towards the bottom of tank and this should make the valve shut off before the water fills to the overflow. you may have to play with the bend to adjust it.
2007-08-03 20:42:54 · answer #8 · answered by Robert P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your float is set to high.
Remove back cover there is a thing that looks like a ball on a stick that's the float. Grab the rod at the end opposite the ball.Next grab next to the ball and bend it Downwards about 2 inches. If this doesn't work bend a little more. Takes about 1 minute.
2007-08-03 20:38:05 · answer #9 · answered by hotdogseeksbun 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most plumbers belong to a union, yes.
If you don't want to pay $172.60, then call your handyman to do the work.
2007-08-03 20:33:54 · answer #10 · answered by Sturm und Drang 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
plumbers make 40 plus dollars an hour. then there's the truck charge. then there's the mark up on the parts disposal fees etc..
2007-08-03 20:36:43 · answer #11 · answered by george 2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋