This is more to vent than anything. Today I was taken advantage of big time. Long story short, I moved into my current house 3 weeks ago. Have had an issue where I lose water pressure from my well. Turns out my well only does 3GPM. Installer recommended a second pressure tank to supplement so I have more buffer. The installer was recommended by a family friend and he knows people I know. He installed a pressure tank and pressure switch for $2100. Over $400 of that was labor, so I guess he charges over $200/hr since he was here two hours. Attached is the invoice for your amusement.
I got taken advantage of by a well installer
- Thread starter brandon9715
- Start date
Same pressure tank (pressure switch included) on Amazon for 1/3 the cost.
I'm not surprised. Mark up on parts to cover overhead and labor is what it is.
There was not. Normally I would ask for one, but I trusted him as a family friend recommended him. I should have asked for one.
I'm certainly no expert, but it would seem that if you pump only pumps 3 gal/min, that's the most you'll get? I figured a pressure tank would just have the h2o under pressure so the water would be more or less immediately avail when you open the spigot.
Plumbers help us out.
Plumbers help us out.
Yes, the pressure tank just holds more on reserve so I can use more before the pressure drops to kick on the pump.
A 300% markup? That’s absurd.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
I'm not surprised at him charging you 2x retail for the parts and $200/hr labor unfortunately. It seems like any trades person who comes to the house has somewhere near a $1000 minimum charge these days.
Imagine being one guy and doing 3 of these jobs in one day?
Imagine being one guy and doing 3 of these jobs in one day?
Same as auto repair - sure you can find anything cheaper online. No surprise there.
Does that cover what the cost of having the tank on hand was by the supply house the plumber got it from? Does that price cover the plumbers overhead? Warranty work if something fails, doesn't work correctly, etc?
Finding things on cheap online never covers what the actual cost of getting work done by a professional is.
Does that cover what the cost of having the tank on hand was by the supply house the plumber got it from? Does that price cover the plumbers overhead? Warranty work if something fails, doesn't work correctly, etc?
Finding things on cheap online never covers what the actual cost of getting work done by a professional is.
You must be new to plumbing...
Yes, I am well aware of this, but there is zero reason for a 300% markup when you also charge over $200/hr for labor.
I guess I learned I should have done it myself. I could have gotten it done for a lot cheaper. These prices are astronomical for my area.
I will also say he quoted me $1500 for a well pump when he thought it was that. The pressure tank was supposed to be “cheaper”.
Yikes. With friends like that, you have no room for enemies.....
Your mistake is not agreeing on a price beforehand or at least getting a bull park figure.
Other than that, a show of hands on who's got their kids in a trade school right now? That should tell you why tradesmen can charge what they charge.
Other than that, a show of hands on who's got their kids in a trade school right now? That should tell you why tradesmen can charge what they charge.
Well, we did when he was going to replace the pump, and then he showed up with a tank and said he thinks that will help instead and that it would be cheaper than replacing the pump. I should have said no right there.
From one well owner to another, I can understand your frustration.
Definitely mark this down as "lesson learned." It helps to get a handle on the utilities your home uses and how to service/maintain them. For some things you'll have to pay a pro in the trades, especially where safety is a concern (electrical, gas are 2 areas I pay a pro), but with YT and the DIY trend these days, you can find mostly everything you need to repair stuff.
The hardest part continues to be proper diagnosis. Once that's established, most repairs are covered in tutorials of all kinds. Watch a few and get a handle on what needs to be done before tearing into things. Take pictures as you go, so you can see the order of things, go slow and take your time. After all, you're saving $2-300 an hour DIYing it, so why rush?
Best of all is seeing the fruits of your labor, having shiny new properly working parts, and a happy spouse with whom you just earned major points.
Definitely mark this down as "lesson learned." It helps to get a handle on the utilities your home uses and how to service/maintain them. For some things you'll have to pay a pro in the trades, especially where safety is a concern (electrical, gas are 2 areas I pay a pro), but with YT and the DIY trend these days, you can find mostly everything you need to repair stuff.
The hardest part continues to be proper diagnosis. Once that's established, most repairs are covered in tutorials of all kinds. Watch a few and get a handle on what needs to be done before tearing into things. Take pictures as you go, so you can see the order of things, go slow and take your time. After all, you're saving $2-300 an hour DIYing it, so why rush?
Best of all is seeing the fruits of your labor, having shiny new properly working parts, and a happy spouse with whom you just earned major points.
When my dad knew what I was making working in a lab right of college, he laughed in my face and said you can still get into plumbing, they make real money.
The real funny part is I've never actually hired a plumber. I've done all sorts of plumbing myself. No leaks dad!!
The real funny part is I've never actually hired a plumber. I've done all sorts of plumbing myself. No leaks dad!!
Oh, that's a bit different than what I got from your OP. Yeah, I would be upset at that too.
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