Residential Plumbing

Plumbing work can vary widely in price, often depending on what kind of work needs to be done. Simple fixes like a leaky faucet, which might cost a contractor only $100 to $200, can go up substantially if the problem is with the valve or the handle, or if the job involves going into the wall or the floor. Far larger efforts might run more than a thousand dollars and might not pay for themselves in a reasonable amount of time. And if there's an emergency, like a burst pipe, the costs can go through the roof since contractors might charge as much for one job as they would for working a whole day under normal conditions. Most reasonable folks get several quotes before hiring someone; that's the smart way to go.

Installing plumbing in an interior space can be a costly endeavor, with the exact amount dependent on the specifics of the project. It can get high—upwards of several thousand dollars—if you’re doing major plumbing work in the context of a new house or substantial remodel. That’s because, in these situations, what you really need is lots of fresh piping and also new fixtures, like sinks, for the spaces where they’re supposed to go. Yet even doing a smaller project, like a fix for a leaky faucet, can come with a considerable price tag. Again, shopping around or getting a plumper estimate can save a homeowner in the end.

When it comes to bidding on a residential plumbing job, it's all about determining the right charge for the work. That begins with a visit to the home in question, to get a real sense of the plumbing needs—what's broken that needs to be fixed, or what new thing needs to be installed. You really have to see it up close. You also have to know what to look for. Once that's done, you measure the working areas, and make a detailed list of all necessary materials—everything from basic pipes to special fixtures.After that, consider how long it will actually take to complete the task. Will you require assistance or special tools to finish the project? These items also have costs associated with them that need to be included in your budget. Then, tally up the cost of the materials and add in your labor costs. Also, make certain that you don't forget costs related to taxes or extra fees that might apply.Ensure that you verify any permit requirements and associated costs. Factor in a bit—5 to 10 percent generally—for the unexpected. Finally, organize all this information into a document, which you will furnish to the homeowner, that clearly lays out your plan and your price. Be prepared to discuss this document with the homeowner and justify your price.

Usually, a service call for plumbing is the result of a drain that won't drain. This can occur in a sink, toilet, or shower when the plumbing becomes congested with a not-so-secret sauce of hair (and some other things), soap (which also clogs nicely), and food bits (which really should never go down any drain). While plumbers do have splendidly helpful manual tools for clearing these clogs, many of them also use another tool that is far less manual and more effective.

The cost to pipe a house of 2000 square feet can vary widely for several reasons. For a typical house, it may run from $8000 to $18000. The range of costs can change quite a bit, though, based on where you live, what kinds of materials you use, and how "simple" or "fancy" the plumbing plan is. Want to install nicer fixtures? Need to revise that plumbing plan because of other work you’ve had done? The price will likely go up. Talking with several different plumbers will not only give you a better idea of what the cost should look like but also help you estimate what kinds of decisions might be pushing you toward the high end.

The hourly rate for a California plumber can differ significantly. More often than not, it tends to fall in the range of $45 to $200 or more, and even this seems only to scratch the surface of what some charge. The plumb line for pay can swing several ways depending on whether the plumber is just starting or if he's winding down towards the gloriously golden hours of retirement. Of course, we also pay dearly (ask us how much) if the work we need done is not just regular plumbing but requires some serious skill or, worse, is an emergency that can't wait for the regular business hours of the plumbing trade.

To ascertain the cost of plumbing, you first need to enumerate all the components and services you could possibly require. This encompasses such things as piping, fittings, and possibly a new lavatory or cistern. Then you need to check the prices of these items, either online or at a carriage trade establishment, to get a sense of their actual cost. After that, it is necessary to consider the labor expense. Since plumbers often charge by the hour, you need to know how long the job will take and get several estimates from different plumbing firms. Finally, you need to add up the cost of the materials and the labor to get the plumbing cost. And you should also remember to budget for any contingencies.

How long it takes to plumb a whole house can vary quite a lot. It usually depends on how large the house is and how many bathrooms and kitchens there are. For a small to medium-sized house, it might take around three to five days if everything goes well. Larger houses with more plumbing fixtures could take longer, maybe even up to a couple of weeks. And the job can sometimes get delayed if there are troubles like with the pipes being hard to access or if the plumbers have to wait for materials. So it’s a good idea to plan ahead and make sure the plumbers have a clear run to the finish line.

Installing the pipes and making the connections that will bring water to all the fixtures in a house is what we mean by "plumbing rough-in." This is the first part of plumbing where the "work" is all behind the scenes, done before the walls and the floors are completed. The rough-in, which is done by plumbers, sets up not only the water supply lines but also the drainage pipes in all the right places for the important business of taking away the used water from the sink, the toilet, the shower, and other fixtures you need in a house. They make sure, of course, that everything will work when it's called upon to do so—even though it won't be called upon to do so until after the house has been completed.

The cost involved in replacing drain pipes in a residence can be quite high, and the amount spent appears to depend on several factors. The first and most obvious is the size of the residence and how much of the pipe needs to be replaced. If your residence is large or if the piping in question is quite old, the cost can ratchet up significantly. Generally, the cost seems to place itself somewhere in the range of a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Also figuring into the mix is the material from which the pipes are made. If your drain pipes are made of something more expensive than, say, PVC, that could drive the cost up. And then there are labor costs, which vary from place to place and can sometimes add a hefty penny to the overall expense. Finally, there’s the question of whether any walls or floors must be opened up to gain access to the pipes. If so, that could add a good amount to the price. Though it looks like the cost could add up to quite a sum, it’s always a good idea to check around with various plumbers to see who will give you the best deal.