I’d rather sell my house and ‘upgrade’ to another newer smaller home to avoid these outrageous, inevitable, and ridiculous repair bills. I sat thru an unbearable 8 hour estimate from Renewable by Anderson that ended with a $40,000 estimate for replacement windows. We decided to sell, downsize and wound up 10 miles closer to my grandkids just down the road. Newer everything, roof, hvac, tankless water heater, and brand new windows. The difference between what you think you need and what you really need is staggering.
Plumber rate
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JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
CA prices are nuts. The cost of not living in the rust belt I guess.
8 hours? I would’ve sent them packing at 2.
Should have shopped around a little. How many windows was that? Normally it costs me around $250-$300 to replace a window, but I can see how those window companies can quote the entire house and end up charging $1k a window or more. You should have gone to the local mom and pop window store and ask who their big customers are and call those guys for pricing or just ask for a recommendation there. I knew someone who did that, found a guy who installed a few windows for her at a flat rate of $50 a window.
AFAIK, all the plumbing outfits left around my area are multiple Plumber/HVAC guys, perhaps 6 to 50 skilled guys plus helpers and some office staff. They operate semi-autonomously from the house. You have to go through some very silly estimators and closers that put an auto dealer's waxed hair, bugged office amateurs to shame. Very padded flat-rate quotes that allow for the skilled guy to make about $120 an hour, plus the helper's wage. Plenty for the house. Especially on the equipment mark up. The last great plumber I have ever known for the past 45 years just passed at age 75. He only rarely went out on calls himself anymore, but he rode gain back at the shop on the estimators and everyone else. I had some large jobs done by him in past years including a couple of boiler installs, new bathroom, well motors, indirects and many fixes. Always a fair charge and never asked for money upfront. That will be gone, now. I've been to some of their competitors also. You have to visit them directly to force a warranty replacement. They will deny that they ever met you.
I have done that job 1000 times. usually 225-285 with a new valve or a new stem, washers and handle. You got a good deal, assuming they did the job right. I use a Korky pro fill valve, and brasscraft stem repair kit or cannibalize an angle stop.
Ones that work on houses etc, like Plumbers, electricians, roofers, you name it, all the ones that are a business with more than a few employee's are crazy high priced. I just hope they have to pay ultra top dollar to get their vehicles repaired, they deserve it. 
For what one out fit wanted to cut a plastic line and install one shut off valve, that I ended up doing, I'd charge them $500. to change out the radiator cap.
For what one out fit wanted to cut a plastic line and install one shut off valve, that I ended up doing, I'd charge them $500. to change out the radiator cap.
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
Well with costs being what they are for supplies and fuel, insurance ..... overhead to operate a business , I am not the least surprised ANY thing one needs to get a professional out to your house for is easily going to be over $100 to start.
Even with all my physical issues I still try to fix as many little home and appliance things that I can. It just kills me to spend money to have pay someone do things you know how to do when I cant due to stretch of bad arthritis , flare ups of pinched nerves, lower back out, shoulder pains , bad knees etc.... I have to pull out the check book every now and then when either hurting too much or just cant make myself get started if its a big job. My youngest son who does a few things since he still lives within 60 mi , calls me the Tin Man on Wizard of Oz because I am so stiff at times and we often get oiled up when I am like that with some Wild Turkey 101.
Even with all my physical issues I still try to fix as many little home and appliance things that I can. It just kills me to spend money to have pay someone do things you know how to do when I cant due to stretch of bad arthritis , flare ups of pinched nerves, lower back out, shoulder pains , bad knees etc.... I have to pull out the check book every now and then when either hurting too much or just cant make myself get started if its a big job. My youngest son who does a few things since he still lives within 60 mi , calls me the Tin Man on Wizard of Oz because I am so stiff at times and we often get oiled up when I am like that with some Wild Turkey 101.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
On a similar note, my 19yr/old son is interested in getting into the plumbing trade. Most of the local outfits by me have ads out that they're looking for helper/learner/apprentice plumbers. I helped my son apply to all the ones available. Not a peep yet, but it's only been a week or two.
He tried a full year of college for mechanical engineering and decided it wasn't for him.
Here's a good Rotor-Rooter story...
A few weeks back we had urinal that was plugged in one of the buildings at work. We were short maintenance people that day so the Maint. Superintendent called Roto-Rooter to fix it. I was working nights that night and R-R showed up about 8pm. I took the fella to the offending urinal. This unit has an exposed P-trap under it. He removed and replaced the plastic P-trap and had to snake out the sewer line in the wall the best he could. He spent about an hour. Total bill? $750.
He tried a full year of college for mechanical engineering and decided it wasn't for him.
Here's a good Rotor-Rooter story...
A few weeks back we had urinal that was plugged in one of the buildings at work. We were short maintenance people that day so the Maint. Superintendent called Roto-Rooter to fix it. I was working nights that night and R-R showed up about 8pm. I took the fella to the offending urinal. This unit has an exposed P-trap under it. He removed and replaced the plastic P-trap and had to snake out the sewer line in the wall the best he could. He spent about an hour. Total bill? $750.
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I am not a fan of using handyman. As they say "Jack of all trades, master of none".
It might be good to have a plumber do a simple project to start. You can see if you like his work. Build a relationship. If you need something big done you will already know his work.
It might be good to have a plumber do a simple project to start. You can see if you like his work. Build a relationship. If you need something big done you will already know his work.
If you want a old school basic plumber or hvac guy in a 20 year old van that looks ljke the tool box fell out on to the ground they are out there Craigslist or old neighborhood guy. New or newer truck, uniforms, tools, ladders,professional shelving and wrap, education to work on higher end equipment and insurance. You will have to pay $$$. One ton chevy cargo van with V8 and air, 60k, shelving 10+k, ladder racks 1500, wrap 2k +: and basic tools 8-12k. Then insurance, 3-4 days minimum lining 1/4" plywood cargo area and osha screen before going to the shelving company then wrapping and loading. All with out the first call. Basic tools have to buy quality, wouldn't believe how small hand tools wear out. Can't use a HF vacuum pump, torches, gauge manifold no different from a auto mechanic the difference is my tools get dragged in and out of the truck, up on roofs down in basement and just riding in a truck.
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